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Aug 18, 2025 21:47:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2017 21:06:20 GMT
DD will be 11 soon. She was at a friends playing today and texted me to pick her up earlier than planned. When she got in the car she said she didn't feel good. When we got home and got out of the car, she started sobbing in the driveway so I just stood there and held her. Once she calmed down, she said "I just felt like I needed to cry." Then she told me she cried the other day for 30 minutes and she doesn't know why she's crying either time. I'm thinking the start of puberty maybe?? The only other thing I've noticed is she is getting hairy in the armpits and the teensiest bit of chest development.
So, how did you talk with your DD about the hormones and how it makes us ladies feel wacky in the right way for an 11 year old to understand it? I want her to know it's all normal and natural and probably something some of her friends are dealing with too. And that I can totally relate and remember what it was like. I tend to get too in depth or lectury (I don't think that's really a word), so I need some ideas of ways to explain it quickly.
We've not yet had the full blown talk yet, but some little bits here and there. I'm thinking that I need to address that as well, but not all at the same time!
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 14, 2017 21:09:05 GMT
At eleven, I think you need to have the full blown, although age appropriate, talk with her. She could start her period any time.
I would tell her that those feelings are normal for girls her age. I'd make sure she knew that there are no questions too embarrassing to ask you.
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Post by Merge on Apr 14, 2017 21:18:54 GMT
My girls preferred to get specific information from a book rather than to sit down and have an embarrassing talk with mom. They can and do come to me with any other questions they may have. We started with The Care and Keeping of You, which is great for all this stuff.
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Apr 14, 2017 21:21:19 GMT
I'd have the period talk in detail, pick up a starter set of supplies, and get her a little pouch that can go in her backpack. It sounds like things are headed that direction.
The Care & Keeping of You is a good starter book.
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Post by bearmom on Apr 14, 2017 21:26:48 GMT
I agree with the pp about The Care and Keeping of You. I gave it to both dds and it lead to many different discussions.
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Post by gar on Apr 14, 2017 22:15:17 GMT
She needs to hear from you that it's all very normal and that her friends will be dealing with the same things very soon, if they aren't yet. Periods definitely need to be discussed, as well as sex, soon, whether it's from you, a book or a mix of the 2. Good luck  |
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Post by idahomom on Apr 14, 2017 22:27:12 GMT
This is a good book. I also bought The Care and Keeping of You. I see there's a second version too for older girls. What's Happening to Me? |
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Post by maryland on Apr 14, 2017 22:28:02 GMT
Maybe if you can reassure that almost every other boy and girl her age are going through the same feelings! It's hard being a teen!
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Post by debmast on Apr 14, 2017 23:24:00 GMT
My girls preferred to get specific information from a book rather than to sit down and have an embarrassing talk with mom. They can and do come to me with any other questions they may have. We started with The Care and Keeping of You, which is great for all this stuff. We also used this book. I read it. Then daughter read it. And then we discussed. It has so much more than "that" info. It's a great starting point. |
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Aug 18, 2025 21:47:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2017 23:38:42 GMT
At eleven, I think you need to have the full blown, although age appropriate, talk with her. She could start her period any time. I would tell her that those feelings are normal for girls her age. I'd make sure she knew that there are no questions too embarrassing to ask you. This. My youngest is 13 and just started her period but she's been having hormonal issues for 2 years. The random crying especially at bedtime. I just gave her extra love and talked her through the feelings and told her what she was feeling was completely normal. But we had the talk by age 11 so she was prepared for the changes her body was getting ready to go through. |
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Post by Zee on Apr 14, 2017 23:44:16 GMT
Another recommendation for The Care and Keeping of You.
Also, you should really consider incorporating "the big talk" in with this. At nearly 11, she's bound to have heard things at school and IMO it's best for kids to be armed with the facts.
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Aug 18, 2025 21:47:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2017 23:48:12 GMT
My dd started her period at 11. It seemed so early to me, but there it was. Your dd may get it way quicker than you think. American Girl Doll has some wonderful books for girls and this time of change for them. My daughter really liked her. She knew we would talk and I would answer any questions she had, but if she wanted to find out something on her own, she went to this book.
It called, The Care and Keeping of you. And now there is a The Care and keeping of You 2.
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Post by kristi on Apr 14, 2017 23:59:48 GMT
American Girl Care & Keeping of you is a great resource book
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milocat
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Post by milocat on Apr 15, 2017 1:19:44 GMT
My girls both started having (almost) monthly hormone emotional spells a few years before they actually got their periods. At age 11 she should know what's happening with her body, full out. She could get her period any minute.
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Post by seikashaven on Apr 15, 2017 1:24:03 GMT
At 11 she probably knows more about sex than you realize and you want a chance to make sure she's aware of facts not fiction. I would encourage you to have the whole discussion not just the puberty bit.
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Aug 18, 2025 21:47:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2017 2:44:08 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2017 3:10:54 GMT
My girls preferred to get specific information from a book rather than to sit down and have an embarrassing talk with mom. They can and do come to me with any other questions they may have. We started with The Care and Keeping of You , which is great for all this stuff. At age 10 we got Care and Keeping of You 1 and at 11 the second book as well as the feelings book and journal. Really helped dd understand it all and made it easier since she has Aspergers |
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Post by katiejane on Apr 15, 2017 12:33:54 GMT
You need to have to the big talk. Because even if her periods have yet to start, her friends will have already and it will be a topic of discussion. Dd was 10 so we had talked this stuff through in big chats at 8 ish, with several books we read together. She had a bag of supplies in her school bag from 8. She has had to support several of her friends, talking to them about emotions and hormones and giving them supplies as their mums had not prepared them.
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