DD's getting AF how did you cope? What to do to prepare?

[Mildez]

OMG Thats almost like a debuton (?spelling) ball style. I would be mortified also. I wonder how she will educate her daughter/s?

[Cricket]

I got a book just the other day from "American Girl" called "The Care and Keeping of You" It is GREAT! I was starting to think about this the other day. My oldest is 6 right now, but I want puberty and periods not to come as a great shock to her. Like some other moms out there, mine didn't say much. I hid my period from her for quite a while, sneaking pads and washing my undies by hand before putting them in the laundry. I felt really embarrassed about the whole thing. I don't blame my mom, really - I could have talked to her. She's a good mom. But I want to do better for my girls. Anyways, all that aside, this book is EXACTLY what I was looking for. It covers body care from head to toe - hair washing, brushing, teeth, skin care for teenagers, deodorant, shaving arm pits and legs (only if you want to!), buying a bra, different types of bras, and info on your period, pads, and tampons. No sex ed, which I'm glad about. I'll talk to her about that myself. The book is full of really nice illustrations - very friendly and easy going in tone and style. I definitely recommend it!

[Mildez]

That book sounds good Cricket. I want to talk to my daughter about sex also and I have very briefly already (more for her safety and protection and that some dirt people abuse children). A few things I have seen in those books are not quite how I would want her to know about it IYKWIM and I want my own touch about diseases and relationships added in too.

[tiggerandpooh]

good books - Celebrating Girls Virginia Beane Ruter, Girl Stuff Kaz Cooke

Open honest conversation.... imo that's the key.

When dd got her first bra, we went bra shopping and then went to a japanese restaurant with a sushi train. it was a very special experience.

When dd got her period she text me from school. and was quite excited about the whole thing. And was prepared. She knows and understands, and we have very open conversations about sex, cycles, etc. I wanted her to have a very different perception and perspective to womanhood then the one I had. I think its important that ALL women understand their bodies, and how they work.

[smiles4u]

......... There is a great site called " libragirl " ... it will give you as a parent help on how to deal with all sorts with your DD new stage in life with AF ... and there is a girly area for your DD on the site too ... Also they offer a FREE Libra starter kit !!

[AnyDream]

i have to say that i felt a lot of mourning when i first got it as i felt i had lost my 'childhood'. but being able to see that i was entering a transition of change towards a new phase really helped...

I had forgotten but I too cried over losing my childhood when i got my period. No celebrating from my mother to ease the way though. I intend to do something special for my DDs with our close females friends - have a copy of Girlosophy ready in the cupboard to mark the occasion for DD1. It'll be a bit of a way down the track for DD2 though

Thanks for the Libragirl tip off, Smiles