Sensitive question for parents of little girls

[QueenIsabella]

While you're getting the "Care and Keeping of You" book, check out the other American Girl titles. They have similar books on negotiating middle school, making friends, dealing with sticky situations, even starting your own business. They're great for the tween years--lots of good, age-appropriate information, matter-of-fact, without being all parent-y. We have to have a dozen of those books! FTR, the American Girl magazine is also great--perfect for tweens. My DD14 was so sad when she outgrew it!

As to the subject at hand--neither of my girls were very well-endowed. DD21 didn't get off a AA cup until she hit college! But, she still wore bras. They were also late-bloomers generally. Some of its genetics, some of its just dumb luck. My BFF had one DD start at 9 (!!!), the other at 13. And I knew a family with two DD's, close in age--the younger DD actually got her period before her older sister. The most important thing is to keep the lines of communication open, and provide plenty of information.

 

[mjkacmom]

While you're getting the "Care and Keeping of You" book, check out the other American Girl titles. They have similar books on negotiating middle school, making friends, dealing with sticky situations, even starting your own business. They're great for the tween years--lots of good, age-appropriate information, matter-of-fact, without being all parent-y. We have to have a dozen of those books! FTR, the American Girl magazine is also great--perfect for tweens. My DD14 was so sad when she outgrew it!

As to the subject at hand--neither of my girls were very well-endowed. DD21 didn't get off a AA cup until she hit college! But, she still wore bras. They were also late-bloomers generally. Some of its genetics, some of its just dumb luck. My BFF had one DD start at 9 (!!!), the other at 13. And I knew a family with two DD's, close in age--the younger DD actually got her period before her older sister. The most important thing is to keep the lines of communication open, and provide plenty of information.

Speaking of books, I recommend It's So Amazing and It's Perfectly Normal. My girls were on different tracks, they started at 11, 14, and 16 (dd14 and dd16 were within a month of each other).

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Around 8 or 9 DD started wearing a training bra or camisole. Now she's 11 and wears a bra or sports bra, she prefers sports bras.

My DD has one of the American Girl titles. I forget which one but it has a lot of good information. I also keep an open line of communication with her.

 

[Magpie]

Speaking of books, I recommend It's So Amazing and It's Perfectly Normal. My girls were on different tracks, they started at 11, 14, and 16 (dd14 and dd16 were within a month of each other).

Seconding these books, too!

Our church uses them in our sexuality education programs. And I think they are absolutely invaluable resources that every home should have.

However, I also strongly recommend parents read them first, because they are very thorough, very complete, and do not take a moral stance on any aspect of human sexuality (except in the sense that it's all perfectly normal and should always be consensual and joyful). Depending on the family, and their beliefs, some parents can't cope. Which I always think is a shame, but it's still worth knowing up front.

https://www.amazon.com/Its-Perfectly-Normal-Changing-Growing/dp/0763668710/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

 

[cabanafrau]

Wow 8 years old is like only grade (?) that is pretty early.

Let her be a kid a bit longer now way she is that developed. What do the other kids in dance do?

I think my daughter was in grade 5 or 6 . We started out with the bralette too.

Soon enough they will have to wear one everyday, it is the first thing to go when I get home. My daughter likes to sleep in hers , she is 17 no thanks.

I just think kids grow up so fast , they want to look older . Parents tend to dress their kids that way too. Mini me . When I look at the clothes out there now for kids.

I developed early and got teased for wearing a bra in grade 5. A little bud is nothing... Just had First Communion here .. can't picture any of them wearing a bra in grade 2.

That is what I meant.

I understand going by what your experiences have been with your own child, however you have to bear in mind each one is different. The experiences and needs of my two daughters were quite different from each other. Which was "normal" and which was not? The leap doesn't have to be from nothing to Victoria's Secret, underwire and bombshell push up. How do you know none of those little ones up there for First Communion wasn't wearing a cami for just a touch of coverage?

 

[aprilgail]

Wow 8 years old is like only grade (?) that is pretty early.

Let her be a kid a bit longer now way she is that developed. What do the other kids in dance do?

I think my daughter was in grade 5 or 6 . We started out with the bralette too.

Soon enough they will have to wear one everyday, it is the first thing to go when I get home. My daughter likes to sleep in hers , she is 17 no thanks.

Depending on what state you live in its anywhere from 2nd-4th. Here with a late cut off some are 8 in 4th grade. I know that at 9 my friends daughter already had her period- my daughter had that at 10- as far as bras go i think my daughter was in 5th grade but she was very skinny with no real boobs- she pretty much still is-graduating high school and she is 88 pounds. Other kids could use a bra in 2nd grade!
I remember how devasted i was when I started to develope and had to start wearing a bra- It was not a precial time for me!

 

[tzolkin]

See, I think I was in 6th grade when I started wearing a bra. I think that is why this seems so off to me. But my nieces each got their periods right around 10. And my eldest takes after that side of the family in her appearance. I think I'm going to have a talk with her and see what she wants to do.

In my family (me, sisters, mom, aunts) it was normal to get your period at 9 or 10 (so started wearing bras even earlier). My girls didn't get theirs until nearly 12, so I had them prepared years in advance.

My sister and I were just discussing all this the other day since her daughter is nearing puberty. She was asking advise on how to address these topics. We both had friends who didn't begin menstruating until 15 or 16. It may be a big shock to them if their daughters started in elementary school.