Early development, PLEASE HELP.

Barbara - posted on 11/16/2012

I really have no advice but I do remember when my girl friend was 7 years old she got her period at the swimming pool where all our friends were witness to. She was very scared and thought she broke something and started crying and one of our friends said she was dying! So I would definitely talk with your doctor and see what info you can get to talk in her level. This is a tough one but education is the best policy.

Leslie - posted on 11/15/2012

My daughter just started her period last night. She's 10 1/2. She is handling it ok, but I am wreck (when she's not around.) I started around age 13 and so did my mother, so having my daughter start so young just broke my heart. I don't think a child that young should have to deal with something like this. But, we talked about it (I had already given her plenty of information before too) and she was ok with it. Most importantly, I let her know that just because her body is racing forward doesn't mean her brain has to. She can still like all the things she likes now - even kid stuff. To "celebrate" we are having a girls night - just the two of us - to do kid stuff (coloring, kids movies, etc.) I'm hoping for the next few years that it's sporatic so she won't have to deal with it every month like clockwork until she's a little bit older.

Leesa - posted on 10/08/2012

its what's in the food! the hormones and all of the other awful things that fast food restaurants are causing early puberty and a list of other 'ailments'. do your own research, if you dare.

Jennifer - posted on 10/07/2012

I'm not a mom (16), but my family has a very long history of starting THAT young. So my mom sat me down, took out a sketch pad, and drew out all the parts, and told me what would happen. In great detail. You can even kill two birds with one stone and tell her about sex.

Michelle - posted on 10/05/2012

Actually, puberty is starting much earlier for girls and boys! Puberty is starting as early as age 9 for girls and age 10 for boys (the new norm) It's been attributed to environment, chemicals, hormones and weight. Starting puberty early can be difficult on a child, because it doesn't mean that their cognitive development is developing at the same pace. It's important to keep in mind that a teen's frontal cortex, the part of the brain that governs reason, logic, judgment and impulse control may not be developing at the same pace. So, if she's about to start puberty, keep in mind that she may look for older, more developed friends to hang out with. As teens go through puberty, especially in early adolescence, their developmental task is to find a sense of belonging. So, keep your communication open, provide her with facts, but don't overwhelm her, and connect with her, so that you can continue to influence her.

Leesa - posted on 10/03/2012

there was an episode on the cosbys like this and claire made a private celebration out of it....a private lunch and shopping for the personal things that she will need. this will also bond you with your daughter!

Sarah - posted on 09/19/2012

My daughter is 8 and although she isn't showing any signs of puberty yet i have already been talking to my daughter about periods because the school that my daughter attends have started to talk about these kinds of things. They brought it in early because they had a 9yr old girl start her period whilst at school and she didnt know what was happening to her. I think its good that the school are covering these subjects but i personally dont want my daughter to hear about it from school first, i believe this is my role. I mainly use easy to understand books and just let her ask all the questions that she wants to ask

Nelisiwe - posted on 09/18/2012

hi my daughter just started yesterday and i know how you feel. you need to have the talk with you and be be supporting. i took her to the dr and they said they will not be monthly until her teens. things are different nowadays

Diane - posted on 09/14/2012

all i can tell you ishave to explain it to her the best way you can.i have a 10yr.granddaughter she is starting to get breast also and pubic hair?

Ana - posted on 09/13/2012

Another thing, if you don't go the medication route, which if my daughter starts early, i'm letting it happen..



But if she starts when you are not around, you want her to know what's happening and not freak out and be embarassed even more.. and know how to take care of herself..

Ana - posted on 09/13/2012

Talk about it now..There are videos for parents who just can't do the talk (like dad's for girls and what not).



But I would talk about it now with her, and take her to the store to buy panty liners and show her how to put them on..etc..because her little friends will be talking about it too..some may have even started already, so you want her to hear it from you soonest before they put there little spin on it!

Tracy - posted on 09/06/2012

My daughter started when she was 11. I thought I was just going to burst into tears. Luckily, she took it well and wondered why I was making a big deal about it. We had our talks about it before hand so I guess that made it easier for her ( not so much for me :)). Also, she had friends at school who had started theirs before she did so I'm sure her friends were a contributing factor as well. I just make sure and remind her to stay clean and remind her to carry a pad every where she goes because it's better to have it and don't need it than not have it and need it. Good Luck to you!

Pat - posted on 09/04/2012

precocious puberty can be postponed and probably should be so as not to stunt her growth. Medication can be given to prevent puberty from happening until the right time. talk to a specialist.

Crystal - posted on 08/29/2012

I had gotten my daughter the "american girl" books. the one titled "The Care and Keeping of You" & we read a little bit together every night & it was hugely helpful! I also packed a sanitary napkin hidden in her backpack just in case & she knows what to do with it now. I've never been shy about my body & my kids love to come in when I'm going to the bathroom so I started letting her come in when I have my period (the only time I always locked the kids out!) and act like its not that big a deal for me, I mean nothing to be embarrassed about. She now sees me dealing with my own period & I hope that makes her less embarrassed with me at least when she gets her own.

Crystal - posted on 08/29/2012

I started my cycle at 10 years old & my 9 year old is going through early puberty also (at 8 as well) ... Dark black pubic hair, armpit hair, armpits that smell like a grown man after working out at the gym, lol! She's just going through it early & as much as she hates it the only thing I can do is educate her, build her confidence & we joke about it a lot too. The girl scouts had a body image program that I enrolled her In which really helped her!!! We had started to go through this when she was six & I was like hell no six it waaay to early for boobs!! I brought her to the dr. & she asked if I fed her a lot of chicken. I said yes, dr said unless the chicken is hormone free it is full of hormones, including the organic! As soon as we switched to hormone free chicken her early puberty signs went away! So now when they are back with a vengeance (she's a B cup) I know it's for real this time & since I went through it so early the dr says its expected & I am able to understand what her difficulties are with it. I also found out that there is one other girl going through this in her grade & I set up a playdate & now they are good friends. I know this is hard for both of you & I hope some of what I wrote helps.

Carmen - posted on 08/27/2012

Hi my name is Carmen and I had my first cycle when I was eight. I am now thirty-nine and now going through menopause. It's not uncommon these days. I would suggest to talk to her and get her ready, this way she will learn how to handle it and not be dependent on someone to help reminder of changing pads when needed. My mom never explained it too me and it was overwhelming. .

Mary - posted on 08/27/2012

Just incase it helps anyone, I order Junior Varsity deodorant for my little girl. Its a gentle roll on designed especially for younger girls & boys and doesnt comtain any of.the chemical nasties you find in regular adult products. It does keep the B.O under control too! Thanks for the book suggestion Liz, im going to order it

Liz - posted on 08/26/2012

My now 8 yr old daughter started getting little fuzzies in the "down there area" a little over a year ago or so. Her Dr. suggested to start out by getting her the "american girl" books. the one titled "The Care and Keeping of You" has been a life saver. As the Dr. suggested, i gave the book to her as a present to let her read it by herself. Then asked her what questions she had, and turns out she was more open to asking about certain things without it being awkward for either of us. Very Very good book.

Susan - posted on 08/25/2012

Have you talked to your pediatrician? They might have some suggestions and materials. Also, premature puberty can be stopped with medication. It was available when I was a child but my parents chose not to give it to me. I was in a bra at 6, menstruating at 10. It was no fun, and the bullies had me as a target that couldn't get away.

Mary - posted on 08/25/2012

Im experiencing the same thing with my 8 year old and it breaks my heart. Shes so not ready for all of this! Neither am I! I started menstruating age 11 & didnt know what was happening so im going to make sure my daughter has good information. Im also going to talk to my doctor to see if there is medication to slow this process down. Good luck.

Stacy - posted on 08/22/2012

I would just be very fact based and use words that she understands. I learned about this stuff in school when I was in fourth grade, but it sounds like she needs info on this now. You can use books and the Internet as tools. Or, maybe you can ask one of the nurses at her doctors office to sit down with her to explain it all. It might be more comfortable for her to talk to a female. Just do this soon, because of she starts bleeding and get scared. I hope this helps. Good luck.