I know DD is getting old when I get a letter from school and it says...

[Mskanga]

That it's time for the nurse to show them a movie about their menstrual cycle!
I'm not ready for this yet, she's only 10 and she was just 2 not too long ago.....where is the time going??
The sad part though is that she's terrified of it, I told her it was nothing to worry about , just a nuisance more than anything and that seemed to comfort her somehow.
My baby is growing up.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It's definately not too early for this! Many young girls are starting at 10.

 

[paras4ri]

I'm in the same boat with DS......the boys in his class saw "the movie" yesterday!!!!

 

[December99]

I know...sad isn't it!!!

 

[DiznEeyore]

One thing I never understood -- and maybe someone here can explain it to me -- is why the girls are shown "the movie" about the girls and the *boys* are shown "the movie" about the *girls*??!! This was the case when I was in 5th grade, and it sounds like it might be now, as well.

I can still remember getting on the bus and the boys all having these little books about *our* bodies and waving them in our faces and hooting and hollering. I can't imagine why schools think fifth grade *boys* need to "understand" the bodies of fifth grade girls.

 

[Mskanga]

Actually I don't know when or what they show to the boys in our school but my DD is in 4th grade and they are showing them the " girls movie" I wonder what they are going to show the boys.

 

[Mermaid02]

((((hugs)))) Don't worry though, they told me at the pediatricians office that 10 is now the "average" age for a girl to start... but I think it's a crock. My dd didn't get her period until 2 months after her 13th birthday and 2 of her best friends still haven't started!

I totally agree- boys that age do NOT need to see "the" movie.

 

[Mskanga]

I'm not worried at all, I'm happy that they show them all these things , I just can't believe that my baby is growing so fast.
If she takes after me , she has 3 more years of freedom!

 

[Buckalew]

My DD just turned 9. I am not ready to think of it either...

Amy,
I remember that as well. I remember being on the bus and setting those boys straight even after they had seen "the movie".
I am not sure if 5th grade boys are ready & need to know how women work but I definitely think a bit older they are and need to know what is happening. Gosh, kids grow up so fast!!!

 

[AngieBelle]

I remember seeing that! I think I saw it in 6 grade. I don't think 10 is too early- I was only 11 when I started.

 

[TinkHappy]

Where does the time go?? They seem to grow-up sooooo fast. I am sorry she is afraid {{{hugs}}} for her and you.

 

[ChiTownZee]

I think "The Girl Movie" covers "The Boy Stuff" too, generally all things reproductive.
Good luck to your DD, though you may need it more

 

[Colleen A.]

Our school show the movie in 5th grade. My kids, Kirk, 13 and Jeana, 11, each saw them. It's funny how kids are different. Kirk came home from school, shaking his head, saying "Too much information!!" Jeana not only paid much more attention to this than her brother, but came home and wanted to run out to Barnes and Noble to get a book on the subject! She also thought it quite unfair that the boys got to see their movie but they didn't get to see the boys! Hey, what's fair is fair!

The middle school also shows a movie...a bit more involved than the elementary level one. What bothered me the most was that both boys and girls sat in the same classroom to watch the movie together. Granted, the teachers seperated them when it was time for the discussion, but I think they should of been parted from the beginning.

 

[SeaSpray]

I think the school in my town handles this the right way. Of course, it's all a matter of opinion on what's "right", but I agree with how they do this here....

At the end of their 5th grade year, one night is set aside for the MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS. They go to the school and a doctor is there, and they explain to the girls, with their mother (or other adult female friend if mother is unable to be there), all about getting their periods, how their bodies will change in the next few years, etc.

Then on a separate night, they have FATHERS & SONS (or another adult male if dad can't be there), and a doctor, and they explain all about how the boys' bodies will be changing, including *personal* info on this, and how they now need to shower daily, how their voices will crack and deepen, they'll grow hair in new places, etc.

The boys DO NOT learn about how the girls will change, and vice versa. They leave that to the parents, which is fine with me. I've never had a problem with talking to my sons about the human body, whether it's male or female, but I always keep it age-appropriate.

On both evenings, the children are allowed to ask any questions they have, and they are given "goody bags" full of teen deodorant, shampoo, new toothbrush and paste, and basic personal hygiene booklets, geared to either the boys or girls.

P.S. MsKanga: I AGREE! They DO grow up too fast

 

[grinningghost]

I'm not sure what our school district does for the boys - but they did the girls' presentation in 6th grade - IMHO, a little late, some of the girls probably already had their periods.

My DD didn't get her's until she was 13 1/2. Unlike her poor mother who was cursed at age 11.

 

[bobcat]

Olga DD did this last year. I had already given her The Care and Keeping of You book and it does a good job explaining this. When they had the movie at school we had already talked about it so she felt pretty comfortable with the subject.

 

[DiznEeyore]

SeaSpray: I think that is an *awesome* way to handle it! I wish all school systems did it that way!

 

[Mskanga]

Great idea Lisa, she loves to read so I think I may try to find it for her.

 

[FOJMO]

Originally posted by Mermaid02
((((hugs)))) Don't worry though, they told me at the pediatricians office that 10 is now the "average" age for a girl to start... but I think it's a crock. My dd didn't get her period until 2 months after her 13th birthday and 2 of her best friends still haven't started!

I'm not so sure...

My DD (17) got hers at 9!!!!!!!! All of a sudden, one Saturday morning, she wanted to do her own laundry. When I was helping her, I saw her underwear. She already knew about periods (had for some time). I never shielded her from it when I had it, so she was used to it, but I guess she was a little embarrassed when she got it.

That same afternoon, it was so ironic, she was on the floor playing with her Barbie dolls -- a little girl but technically a "woman".

 

[mommystieg]

My dd is 10 and I have been trying to figure out a good way to talk about this(I know I'm pushing my luck by waiting so long). She goes to a small private school so there are no "movies". I have purchased a book to give her but I am having a hard time finding the "right" way to bring it up. Although I know she is ready for the "technical" stuff I just wonder if she is emotionally mature enough to deal with it. How did most of you handle this with your darling dd's? I have thought about a mom/daughter night out but I just can't figure out how to bring up the subject