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

[bobcat]

Well the book I gave my DD deals with a lot of other things and I originally gave it to her when we were starting to talk about grooming and wearing deodorant etc. It has a good chapter on menstrating and we talked about that as well.

 

[tkd lisa]

DDs girl scout troop did this while working on their Becoming a Teen badge (she's a junior, and turns 11 tomorrow). During the discussion, it turned out one of the girls had started her period at a very young 8! The rest of them hadn't started yet, but were very curious about it.

We had a nurse come in to discuss their questions, and all the moms and leaders shared their experiences as well.

I'd guess that the average age is getting younger because there seems to be more variance in when the girls are starting.

We also got the care and keeping of me book, and DD really likes having it.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

my older dd turned 12 in november and my younger dd will be 11 in July. trust me, based on what I've seen from their friends, 10 is not too early.

our school does the "girl" movie at a mother daughter night in 5th grade, and the "boy" movie at father-son night. in 6th grade health class, they all see the "puberty" movie, which deals with girls and boys.


by 7th grade my older dd floored me with some of the things she knew.

 

[snoopy]

I was 9 when I started my period, and I am SO THANKFUL my mother was very proactive in talking to me about it beforehand. She also started hers early, but back in those days mothers didn't discuss things like that with their daughters, and my poor mother thought she was dying. If I recall, she and I read through that book, "Our Bodies Ourselves". I of course was mortified at the time, but when I got my period I wasn't shocked.

 

[FOJMO]

Originally posted by mommystieg
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

Actually, my "talk" came the day DD got her period (age 9). She already knew all about menstruation, but the "talk" I had with her was "where babies come from." I felt it was the perfect seque into it.

But, if it weren't for that, I don't think I would have had a "formal" talk, per se. I would NOT talk about it at all, though, on a mom/daughter night out. She might be very embarrassed if you brought up the subject while in a public place.

Sometimes the best "talk" is when the opportunity presents itself in normal, everyday situations. If you see a commercial on TV for sanitary napkins/tampons, etc. ask her if she knows what they're for? Ask her if they've had any kind of movies shown at school to girls/boys. If you don't make it so serious and treat it like it was just a part of life, it won't be so hard on either of you. The more comfortable YOU are with it, the more comfortable SHE will be.

We didn't have those movies when I was in school and all my mother did was hand me a book called "Growing Up and Liking It"!

 

[Mskanga]

Originally posted by snoopy
back in those days mothers didn't discuss things like that with their daughters, and my poor mother thought she was dying.

Judi , I'm not that old but my mother didn't talk to me about anything and the same thing that happened to your mom , happened to me, I woke up one nice day, saw blood , I started running histerical crying and screaming, confused , scared to death and my mother says......Now you are a woman! I looked at her and answered, what the heck was I before ? an alien ? Then my aunt gave me the speech.
I swore that I would never do this to my children and that I would speak to them about things and not keep them away!

 

[mommystieg]

"Growing Up and Liking It"---what is there to like about growing up?? By mom/daughter night out I mean a night away from dad and little sister--it is almost impossible to have a conversation with those two around We saw a movie in school but that was the extent of my education. I feel pretty comfortable about discussing it but did anyone ever bring up the potential embarrassment factor to your dd? Mine happened when I was in class(unfortunately I was too scared of my teacher to try and get her help) and I absolutely bled through my pad, my clothes and halfway up the back of my bright yellow sweater in a matter of minutes--do you warn your dd that there might be days like that in the beginning

 

[Amy]

Boy, does this thread bring back memories! I remember my mom having "the talk" with me - just about getting your period, nothing else. She was sooooo embarrassed. All I remember is her telling me that "good" girls don't use tampons. Didn't tell me why, or even what a "good" girl is!

My DS11 saw the movie at school yesterday - it covered both boys and girls. All I could get him to tell me about what they told him happens to girls is "it's gross!"

DS13 covered all that and more in health class this year. Boy, the discussions we've had in the car and at other times!! (I can't repeat any of them because the censor would probably get me.) He is soooooo much more educated than DH and I were at his age! I'm glad he knows more than us, and I'm also glad that he feels comfortable enough to talk about that stuff with me, even though sometimes he asks his questions at very inappropriate times.

SeaSpray - I really like the way your school handles the info with the separate nights for girls and boys. I think my DS11 is too young to learn about girls; he's got enough just trying to learn about his own body!

 

[Mskanga]

You know, this thread is bringing up some really good points that are really giving me some good ideas. Keep them coming.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Growing Up and Liking It? Was that a pink booklet? I think that must be the name of the pink one I had. I can't remember what grade we were in when the girls saw the movie in the nurse's office. Based on where I remembering going back to class, it was my 3rd grade classroom! I got it in 5th grade. And I was less than thrilled. No, mom didn't talk about it. But I think she handed me the book and told me to let her know if I had questions. I was too embarassed to ask her anything!! The boys see a movie? I didn't know that. I remember the boys having smirks on their faces when we got back to class. I have no idea what they learned while we were out. (That's what I get for growing up with all sisters and no brothers.)

They make TEEN deodorant? I think what DS started using in February (at 9) is too strong for him. Where can I find it? Thanks!!

 

[GoofieRuthie]

My DD10 came home a few weeks ago with all the pamphlets that she got that day and had seen "the movie". She was totally grossed out, lol. She is starting to "bud", so I know that her time is approaching soon. *SIGH*

I remember in school them calling it "sex ed" and I never understood it because all we ever learned about was our monthly visitor. It wasn't until I was in 9th grade that they showed us "The Miracle of Life" that we finally learned about "sex".

On another note ( a tad explicit, so cover your eyes if easily offended), the same daughter and I were watching Dr. Phil about how to talk to your kids about sex. She asked, "What's the difference between premarital and oral sex?" I took a deep breath and said " premarital is sex before marriage." She said " AND....what about oral?" I stammered and replied " It's when you use your mouth. Oral means mouth." She screached "EWWW, that is GROSS!!!" I said " Yes it is, very gross, don't ever do it" *snicker* " She said, "Don't worry, I won't!!!!" *sigh* if only she will keep that frame of mind! (Sorry, I hope that wasn't too brazin of a topic)

 

[Pin Wizard]

Aauugghh! I do remember seeing this cover...

AND this one...

 

[Pin Wizard]

And this...

 

[Pin Wizard]

Disney had a film about this?

http://www.mum.org/modteach.htm

"Starting probably in the late 1940s, companies like Modess, Kotex, Pursettes, Tampax made, and sometimes still make, kits for schools, enabling teachers to use the material to explain menstruation and puberty to American girls - today, sometimes also to boys - and let the captive audience see their products, hoping they will use them for life; they often did. Sometimes the companies also supplied films, such as the famous one from Walt Disney (this museum does not have it)."

 

[Lisa L from MI]

The parents night to preview "the movie" is tomorrow night! DD is in the 4th grade (9) and I know what you mean!! She is too young!!!!! I am not ready for this!!!