Daughter going through Puberty

[tiggertiger]

My DD is 13 and she has to be close to getting her period. Does anyone have any definitive signs that I can look for to know if it's going to arrive soon. We've had a long chat about the birds and the bees and I've given her a couple of books to read. She's lovin a new book called Poppy Pretzel Passage Into Puberty because she said it's like her own life. Maybe I need to read it. So any thoughts about what I can do to help her?

[WorkingClassMum]

I expect you've given her a small bag to carry in her school bag with a spare pair of knickers, a couple of pads and a packet of wipes?

Have all the other puberty bits hit like breast development, pubic hair, acne, hips etc?

Have you also discussed contraception? Pregnancy *can* occur before Aunt Flo starts butting in too btw.

Maybe also get her a small piece of jewellery to celebrate the day? Maybe also a womanhood day with her aunts and close elder cousins etc?

[Pippi Longstocking]

What WCM said. Menarche normally arrives around a year after breasts have begun to grow and public hair has spouted.
My advice would be to talk openly about it all. Don't engage in whispered private Girls Stuff meetings, as I think it gives the impression that there is a need to be secretive and hide it all. This implies that there is something to be ashamed of. We've worked hard to normalise it all. My 15yo daughter doesn't flinch even when asking her stepdad to grab her some pads from woolies. :)

[supa_star323]

I definitely think talking positively to her about it is hugely important. My mum never spoke to me about it and I was so worried I hid it for the first year cause I wasnt comfortable telling her.

[Bellini]

There is some great advice in this thread. When I got my period for the first time (I was a bit of a late bloomer compared to some), we had a womanhood celebration as WCM mentioned, and I was given a stunning pair of antique pearl earrings. It was always discussed openly in our household, along with masturbation, the growing of breasts etc, which I think is very important. I never hesitated to come to my mother (or father) about anything pertaining to puberty due to this openness in our family.

So my advice would be to talk to her about it (in an open manner) and make her feel comfortable, and by doing so she may actually come straight up and tell you when it arrives (which is exactly what I did). At that point my mum sat down with me and laid at various pads and explained their functions, how to dispose of them, how often to change them etc. And I was then allowed to shave my legs for the first time too :D

[Mum2MarNell]

My dd started getting white creamy mucus a few months before she got her period - and had developed breast buds and pubic hair.
We have always been open about bodily functions, and I had told her that her period was likely to start soon given the signs. She was totally unfazed when it started, in fact I did have to ask her not to call her father and ask him to put her used pad in the bin :eek:

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/816-getting-your-first-period


It can be frustrating when it seems like you're the last one of your friends to get your period. The thing is, everybody's bodies develop at their own pace and it's highly unlikely that you and your best bud will start your periods at the exact same time. Things to look for that mean your period is on its way are underarm and pubic hair, breast growth and white, vaginal discharge. The average girl will get her first period around 12 years old, but this definitely varies from person to person. If you're ever concerned about your body's development, check in with your family doctor to see what they think!

[spiritualmama]

I will tell you something no one else has said, she will turn into a b!t@h...hormones will go threw the roof and she we turn from your DD to a monster..but it doesnt last.

[Pippi Longstocking]

I will tell you something no one else has said, she will turn into a b!t@h...hormones will go threw the roof and she we turn from your DD to a monster..but it doesnt last.

Not necessarily. :no: She may struggle with fluctuating hormones but this doesn't necessarily make her a "b!tch" (ugh! I object to the gendered terminology).

[Mum2MarNell]

My dd has certainly had some struggles emotionally within herself, which has made for some lively times, but I also think it has (over a relatively short time) led to a closer bond between us, and a greater understanding of herself.
So I wouldn't agree.
No it isn't easy, but I am sure it is harder for the teen that it is for us, and we ARE the adults.

[yummymummy912]

My baby is turning twelve and i am also in the same boat....just waiting for it to arrive. She has pads in a pink sparkly purse in her school bag - as she was worried that if it fell out everyone would know what it was! She is only in grade 6 and two of her friends have it so I am sure it is not too far off. The little boobie buds have begun and she has had pubic hair for quite some time. The under arm hair has just begun and the pimples are getting worse. I say within 12 months!:yelclap: We will be having a little party when it happens

[Autumn Blossom]

My daughter was 10 when she got hers, but i expected it as i got mine when i was 9. She has had no problems and has had them for nearly a year. She is not embarrassed about them at all as i didn't make it a big issue. She has quiet a few friends that have their periods too.

[shockinamillion]

I was ill for days, sleepy and grumpy and had baad cramps. My XSD gave me some of mums pads and told me to be prepared, one of the only nicest things he ever did.

[NonnyMouse]

We're in the same waiting game here as well. DD is 11 and already has breasts, the discharge, just sprouted pubic hair, and has been really hormonal (days when she feels upset all day and cries at the drop of a hat and doesn't know why) and also starting to get pimples as well.

We had "the talk" a couple of weeks ago and I basically gave her the general run down and left things open for questions whenever she thought of any more to ask, so it's an ongoing chat really.

I also got her to email all the pad manufacturers for free samples so she can have a small supply on hand if needed, and also to see which ones are most comfortable for her as she has no females at home to go shopping for her and her Dad wouldn't know what to get unless she could be specific when asking him.

[maestroandme]

I always told my daughter that we would celebrate with a welcome to womanhood party...... she was always totally horrified about it,

Well she entered womanhood while we were on holiday:laughing: So that blew my plans out instead I brought her an antique saphire ring with2 stones to represent her girl/woman hood. Then we went out for coffee...... It was great and most importantly she loved it and felt great.

But I must say apart from the growth spout, hair , modesty, the ATTIDUE & Tears weret he give away it would be soon.
Yep also took her shopping ...... and brought home a stack of different ones to try , we had a great laugh , I mean its a normal function for half the population, nan was horrified by it all.......

[JabberJaw]

If you go to the Libra website, they will post an awesome little pack out with various pads, tampons and info :D FREE, and its in a cute little bag.

My DD was 11 when she got hers, now 13. The info supplied by Libra girl was awesome and clear and understandable for her age group.

[FearlessLeader]

I will add my 2 cents- make sure her father is involved as well. My parents are divorced and every other weekend when i was at dad's he would ask me if i needed anything at the shops before he went, from when i was about 12. I was all like 'awww, Daaaad! :rolleyes:' but when i got my period and he asked it was just a case of saying 'yep, more of these' and showed him the packet. So i didn't have to make a big production out of telling him. LOL he was pretty chuffed though, gave me a big hug AWWW DAAAAD! :rolleyes:

[fairygirl]

Ours girls are sooo lucky these days. My first pads were almost and inch thick and so not discreat. Now they are in cute little packages and are so tiny and thin you hardly know they are there. I use a Mentrual Cup and wouldn't be without one. I will introduce my daughter to one as well. The best part is that you pop it in when your in the shower in the morning and take it out in the shower at night - give it a clean and pop it back in for the next 12 hours. They are also easier to use than tampons and because they are silicone there is no toxic shock worries.

My neice has just started her periods and she's really, really heavy so I got her a Cup and she seems to be using it quite well. So much nicer than messy, smelly pads.

[blackdog]

My daughter is 10 1/2 and has just had her third period. She was actually surprisingly matter-of-fact when she had her first one. I think it has as much to do with her personality as much as how open we are about that sort of thing.

I was amazed about how many special products you can get these days! you can buy "pads for small bodies" as well as "incognito" discreet disposal bags, and Poise "hygienic wipes" (or something similar)

I made up a pack of as many products as I could find, including a wheat pack, for my daughter. She has not experienced any pain, yet, though.

Mind you, when she was 9, she decided for herself that she needed to find out about "girl stuff" and subscribed to "libragirl.com.au"