Can Parents of Pre-teen or Early Teen Girls help me out?

[cruisnfamily]

This is way, way off topic if we are supposed to be talking about all things Disney but the Disboards folks have been so helpful and friendly I figured I would see if anybody here could help me out.

I am the parent of a just turned 10 yr old girl. We are at a point where I am seeing some signs of body changes. I am looking for a book which deals with this subject matter in a fun, interesting, but non threatening way. I want a book my daughter can read to get information about things yet to come.

The problem is, I want a book that deals with "changes" and stuff like that but doesn't deal with the whole boy/girl/baby thing if you know what I mean. I've been researching the perfect book but they all feel the need to add that information and I can tell you that my daughter is just not ready to go there.

Has anybody found "the perfect book" to handle this subject?

Thanks in advance.....hope it was ok to post this here.

 

[Serena]

I don't know of a book, we just talked about it without one. But good luck.

And the wonderful thing about the community board, we can talk about just about anything.

Welcome and I hope you enjoy it here.

 

[Colleen A.]

I got a great book for my daughter but it does go into the boy/girl thing. My daughter turned 11 in Sept.

I did find a great web site that Always sponsors. You can click on the option for young girls and all the information is age appropriate. Here's the link for it
http://www.beinggirl.com/

Hope this helps! (Also a BIG bottle of aspirin helps - for US, not them!! )

Colleen

 

[cruisnfamily]

ColleenA....It seems like all the books go into that so I may end up with it. What book did you buy?

Also, I do plan to have a conversation, not just throw a book at her but I was hoping to have the book for backup/further discussion.

Any and all help is appreciated!

 

[Colleen A.]

It is called "Girl Stuff....A Survival Guide for Growing Up". It covers everything from the changes that are going on with their bodies (and emotions! ) to the proper way to shave your legs! The very back of the book goes into boys/girls. It isn't the main focus of the book. I found it at Barnes and Nobles. I had gone onto their web site to do a search of books before I went to their store to pick it up.

Hope this helps! Don't ever hesitate to ask any questions on this board. There are a great bunch of regulars here!

Colleen

 

[janette]

Here are the ones I bought for my DD.

Growing Up It's a Girl Thing

Help!: An Absolutely Indispensable Guide to Life for Girls!

It's a Girl Thing: How to Stay Healthy, Safe, and in Charge

The Care & Keeping of You

The Period Book

She says The Period Book was the most informative, it is also a straightforward book with pictures. If you aren't sure your DD is ready for it you may want to read it first or take a look at it in the library.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Janette,
In my online research/quest for a book, The Period Book , was the one that looked like the best one but I wasn't sure. I don't want anything too textbookish or anything.

Do any of the books you mention leave out the whole boy/girl experience? Or is it mentioned in all the books? I really didn't want to go there as we tried that conversation once when she got too much info on the playground in 2nd grade. Of course, that was a couple of years ago and maybe she is ready to have that conversation now but I was hoping to avoid it and just deal with the changes in the body, etc.

You guys are all fabulous! Keep the ideas coming!

 

[betz]

Try This:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../103-4274696-0159813?v=glance#product-details
The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls
No sex, just talk about periods, body odor, shaving, emotions, diet, skin care and all that wonderful growing up stuff.
It really is a swell book for girls your daughters age. I even find my 12 year old pulling it out sometimes and refering to it.
I remember reading parts with her, she was like no way that is not going to happen to me.
The period talk just royally pissed her off. A few weeks after the 'period' talk I mentioned to her that when it happens once a month ...
She stated, 'Once a Month!'
'Yeah, once a month', I replied.
'Oh, thats not so bad', she said.
I talked with her and she thought that once you got your period you had it everyday for the rest of your life.
Go figure, one has to make sure that they understand the facts clearly.

 

[janette]

I confess I didn't read the book, my older DD is mature for her age and she read them all when she was 10. She did say there is some talk about boys but not much. I know my 8yo DD thought the book was gross as it has pictures kind of like in biology class.

My DD said the other books just confused her, I quess that for her a plain method was better. The other books do have lots of information on hygiene and other topics. She did find them helpful and more than one book is probably a good balance. I know she really like the American Girl book for information on that type of stuff.

 

[Dream]

American Girls's "The Care and Keeping of You" is a great intro book for girls your dd's age and a little beyond. I got it for my dd when she was 10. It doesn't delve too deeply but addresses the "early changes" and how to handle them in a really positive way!!! There are many great books out there but for this age, this is the best I've found. Good luck!

 

[Jeafl]

I also recommend "The Care and Keeping of You". They sell it at major book stores as well as the American Girl website and store.

 

[becka]

You obviously know your daughter better than anyone but I am not sure that leaving out the boy/girl thing is really a great idea. I think in order for her to understand how her body is changing she needs to know why (i.e. so she can have children, etc.). She may not need to know everything quite yet but a very basic conversation about such things may really help her to get more comfortable with the changes.

 

[dmslush]

http://www.americangirlstore.com/pls/ag/AG_pagethumb?catid=375878

At this site, they have the best book. It is called "The care and keeping of you. The body book for girls" It discusses everything from hairy legs to periods, but doesn't discuss sex.

 

[MerryPoppins]

We have The Care and Keeping of You and The Period Book. DD found both helpful.

 

[fklhou]

The private school that my older two children attend has a course called Choices and Changes that all 7th graders and their moms have to attend. My wife handled this duty but I understand that they had some excellant materials. I see if she will post on this thread.

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

I also recommend "The Care and Keeping of You" from American Girl. My daughter is now 13 but I got her the book when she was about 10 and she loved it. She still looks at it and it is written in an informative yet fun manner.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Well, it looks like The Care and Keeping of You is the book I've been looking for! I think I will purchase this book along with The Period Book so that when she is ready for some more information I'll be prepared. I appreciate all of your responses....please feel free to continue responding with your great helpful info.

How do you think I should present the book? Have a big discussion first? Just leave the book on her bed? Read it with her? How did you guys all handle this? My mom and I never had "the talk" and some of the body changes were real shockers I was unprepared for and I don't want that to happen to DD.

 

[rbuzzotta]

I agree with the book The Care....of you. I also got that along with some others from the American Girl collection for my DD.

She did review them (I don't know if she read them in detail) and she has put them away for only her private viewing.

I liked them as they gave just enough information for their age group.

Welcome to the wonderful world of a pre-teen girl!!! LOL!!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I think you are making the right choice. My 10 year old DD also has that book and I know for a fact she has shared it with most of her friends.
She is just starting to...ummm....sprout? Is that a word for this? She has a training bra. But no other signs...hope it goes for a while longer without any!
BTW she also has a manners book from American Girl and a book called "Oh Brother, Oh Sister" on getting along with her siblings (as if it works!), and I didn't get any of these from the AG website, I got them at MEdia Play.
Robin M.

 

[Colleen A.]

My daughter told me "things are starting to pop!"