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

[Mildez]

I have been thinking more and more about this after my neice whom is not even 1yr older then my DD (who is 9) started menstrating. She is not coping with AF and its just so sad as she is so young and immature and my SIL isn't coping either with what to do for her. She doesn't understand, doesn't want to wear a bra when she really needs to, has BO but wont use deodorant etc She is an early bloomer I guess you would say. Its made me realise that it could be my DD whom is very young for her age and how she would cope if she started menstrating. I don't think it is close for my DD as she still looks like a little girl but I know the time will come all to soon and for memory my neice didn't show any signs except for some under arm hairs. My DD has a rough knowledge on what a period is and why but what have other mothers done to prepare their DDs for this? Do you send a pad to school when it looks like your DD is maturing in that way? My mother didn't ever speak about AF to us. I learnt at school so I can't say I have a good role model to follow or even ask for advise. Should I leave the talk of when she could expect AF until she is matureing more and its obvious she will start menstrating? I started at 11 and so did her Dads sisters but I know girls are matureing more these days. I think the fact my neice is 11months older with AF scares me that is could be my daughter and I can't visualise my DD been able to cope with that.

[Mildez]

[Daydream Believer]

Maybe you could get a puberty book aimed at younger/tween girls & read it together. Have pads,tampons, etc where she can access them if needed & explain to her it's something that every girl goes through.
Maybe you could also get her a body spray and get her in the habbit of putting it on everyday for when she does start to need deodourant, you could also go shopping together for crop tops/training bras

Hope that helps, good luck

[paradise lost]

My plans:

I hope that by 9 or 10 DD will have a good grasp o what AF and what it means. She already knows i have AF from time to time (not recently!) and how the baby got in there, and we have touched on how your AF means you can have a baby.

I was nearly 13 when AF came, so i reckon i'll be ok until DD is at least 10, and then i will buy pads and tampons and talk to her about the whole deal. I will ask her if she wants to keep them in her room/bag or if she'd rather they were in the bathroom cabinet (my mum put pads in my underwear drawer when i was just 11 and i felt like an immature peter-pannish freak having to wait 2 years to use them!).

When the time comes i plan to take a day out (keeping her off school possibly) and take her out shopping, to get her nice underwear, some pads or tampons SHE chose, and a meal out with just me to welcome her to womanhood. I plan on making it a really positive and proud moment in her life, while keeping it private (no AF parties for us!) so she has her dignity too.

Bx

[Kitt3n]

When the time comes i plan to take a day out (keeping her off school possibly) and take her out shopping, to get her nice underwear, some pads or tampons SHE chose, and a meal out with just me to welcome her to womanhood. I plan on making it a really positive and proud moment in her life, while keeping it private (no AF parties for us!) so she has her dignity too.

Ditto.

I have made it a point of not hiding anything AF related from DD. SHe understands that one day it will happen to her. (She also understands that sometimes mummy gets uber grumpy and she needs to back off!!).

I use cloth pads so DD thinks they are really funky, all the pretty patterns etc. When I was her age I actually couldn't wait to get AF!

[Lulu]

DD got hers about 12. She had a pretty purse with an assortment of pads and liners in, and when we went shopping she could choose a deodorant.

We had a little celebration and told her Nan and auntie and we welcomed her into womanhood.

[tan32]

my DD is now 11. I have just picked up on her moods. She tends to be grumpy or teary and i have kept track of this and it is in a pattern of a cycle. She has no other signs of puberty, no pubic hair etc. I have sat down and spoken to her about the change from a girl to a young lady. I spoke to her about washing and using deodrant and we have spoken about periods.
She took this really well and is not worried about it at all, infact she has started to take more care in her apperance..