8 Yr Old Early Puberty

Well, I got my first training bra at 8, body odor at nearly 9 (I remember because my sis put deo on me during summer vacation that year lol) and I started my period at 10yrs old. ( the year before they showed "the movie" lol) but I had 3 older sisters so I already knew about it. My mom had to explain it to me at 5 yrs old when my oldest sister leaked because I wouldn't quit asking what happened. Not much detail of course. I don't think your daughter is too young to know about it. I know that Tampax use to send out a "starter kit" and stuff on how to talk to your daughter about it several years ago. You may want to google it and see if they still do.

Hope this helps.

I also recommend the book The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library). I got it for my daughter a few ywers ago (she will be 13 in a month) but i have to say it does have a couple illustrations of the body in regards to the period and pubic hair that i felt weird for her to see at that age since she was a few years from that....but i shouldn't have worried. she has breasts coming in now, at 12, and public hair as well as has been shaving under her arms all year (i just let her shave her legs last month for the first time though she really didn't have to since the hair is light but she wanted to since her friends do---i bought her an electric for that so she wouldn't have nicks like me!! LOL) but she hasn't started her period yet. i started in 6th grade so i'm surprised she hasn't yet since she is almost finished with 7th grade.

anyway, just shows that all girls are different and it can't hurt to prepare her and that book is very good for all sorts of knowledge in a format she will enjoy reading.

DONT wait GIVE her the TALK i started wheni i was 8 and was sooooooo scared 'cause my mo thought that it was too erly so didnot tell me anything

My daughter started her period the summer going from 3rd to 4th grade, a year earlier than I did. I was a little upset because she stays with her grandparents during the summer and my mom told me. It took her a whole month to tell me. I think it was about a year before she started I notice the changes in her.
I don't think it's too early to tell her about her body. I do think it's better coming from her mother, as awkward as it may be for both of you, than hearing from a friend/teacher. I think our kids learn too much outside the home, it's the parents responsibility, not the schools or misleading from their peers. (I do think it's good for the school to talk about it, but I still feel like the parent should be the one.) I also think it's good for her to know that this is a positive step in growing up, that she's still a girl and just because she's turning into a woman there are many years before that happens.
Make sure she knows there is nothing to be ashamed of too. I think kids feel a lot of embarrassment.
God Bless!

Hi A.
It is def. time for her to know what to expect. My oldest daughter started developing buds at 7 she was in the second grade. Early 3rd grade she had some hair and late 3rd grade she started her period. When she told me her southern region was changing, I had to sit down with her and tell her what was going to happen. It had been years since my complete hystorectomy and there had not been any pads in my house and I hadn't needed to explain what they were for, so we had to start from scratch. I am so glad I did, because it wasn't even a year before she started. Now my daughter is in 7th grade and is fully developed and looks like she should be in highschool. Which opens up a lot of different worries as a parent!!!! I am constantly telling people remember she is only 12. They are expecting her to act with more "maturity" like a high-schooler. I keep telling them just because she looks 16-17, she is honestly only 12 and is at the right "maturity"!!!
Good Luck!!!!

Hi A. I started my period when I was in the 5th grade before alot of my peers. It was really scary especially since no one told me about it One day I went to the bath room and noticed blood and started freaking out because I wasnt aware of what was happening. All I can tell you is to talk to her about it and also talk to your pedi about it and see what they say. I know later on in school they showed us a video about pads and gave us pads and deoderant. So maybe you can start slow and tell her and show her the products she may be using and how it works... You dont want to rush it but have her aware and try to have he runderstand to the best that you can. Also it may help to see if Barn and Nobles has a book that explains it eaiser for a child who starts early. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Are you there God? It's Me, Margaret- by Judy Blume was how puberty was introduced to me. I had some questions afterward, and felt well prepared.

Buds
Pubic Hair
Armpit Hair
First period

There's usually about the same distance between each one. (Typically a year apart, but can vary by the girl.)

HTH
S.

Just be open and honest with her. Answer her questions honestly, although you may not feel "ready".

My daughter started her period in early 6th grade. She knew what to expect so she was not scared.

So many moms are not open, honest and have lines of communication wide open and their poor little girls suffer from fear of the unknown. All it takes is some preparation and open communication lines from mom.

Of course it seems early....but make sure you let her know it is ok and be there for her. They grow up WAY too fast.

I just found this amazing site and seen ur question. My daughter is 8.5 and is in early puberty. When we went to the ped in Oct. she told me that some kidz just hit it early for no reason and that it is not bad for them. That it is just a bit harder on them because that don't look like their classmates anylonger. She said that when they have a full trangle of hair that they are close the starting the menstral cycle, around ten. She has had breasts now since this summer and we have even had to buy a second set of bra's because she is blossoming so quickly. She has even started to break out a lil on her face, so now we use a gentle face wash.I just keep it simple and truthful with my daughter. I asked her what bothered her the most and didn't per say beat around the bush. She since is much more comfortable and I speak with her about once a month to keep any fears away that others my tell her that are faulse. Over all she is doing great!! Hope this helps.

Muah=) B.

Ready or not, Mom, it's time for the puberty talk. "The Care and Keeping of You: the Body Book for Girls" is an excellent book. I bought this for my daughter. She read it and came to me with questions. It helped to open a discussion between us about the changes her body was going to make. I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/Care-Keeping-You-American-Library/d...

She could just have precocious puberty. But talk to her pedi and do some research on it. There can be a lot of increased risks of medical issues not to mention social/emotional issues with this. My hubby is a nurse and has seen this a few times. Good luck!

Since you mention an endo, I wonder if your daughter has an endocrine disorder like type 1 diabetes? if so, write to me.....

Dear A. (love the name: it's my daughter's name as well, spelled the same too)!

This is kind of off topic but related. Please make sure your daughter gets hormone free cow's milk. Though the milk industry will not admitt it, I have personal proof from a dr. that hormones in milk DO mess with young girls' hormones concerning puberty. Braum's milk of shurfine (store brand at more local-owned grocers) is growth hormone free as well as Borden's. By switching, you may notice that some of her puberty "symptoms" disappear or subside.

Good luck!
T.

Even though eight is sooo young, you can't fight nature! It looks like you will have to start communicating with her. Better you than someone else! I wish my mom was more open with me about this stuff; I felt so alone and embarrased. I didn't start puberty until I was around 13. Got my first period when I was in 7th grade; however, I remember a girl that had hers before I did. She got up from her chair and walked all the way to the teacher with a big red spot on her behind. All of the kids laughed :( I would definetly have a conversation with her to try and avoid and additional drama for your young one.

Hi A., the unfortunate part of puberty is that each girl is affected differently by it. Some start early while others start late. My daughter is 10 and starting telling me her breasts were hurting when she was about 9. She had the breat buds so I took her to the doctor just as a precaution and was told that she is starting puberty. I also noticed she started getting hair in her pubic area. She also now has to wear deodorant since she has sweaty arm pits. I bought my daughter a book that our doctor recommended. It is The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library). My daughter has read it and we go over any areas that she is unfamiliar with or has quesions on. I think this has helped her understand her body and puberty. Hope this helps!!

I know this must be scary for you in knowing what to do. You may just mention that if she ever notices anything odd about her body, that it is probaly just normal, but to come to you and you'll explain anything, as if she starts bleeding it may scare her to death, yet you may not want to mention the actual bleeding in case it scares her before anything happens. If she was even a year older, you may be able to mention it , but at 8 this is a hard one. I know my daughter had a step child that was about 9 1/2 when she started her period, and she was so non-chalant an innocent about it all that when they came to visit she carried her extra pads in under one arm, and her doll under the other. They had to warn and teach her that you put them in a purse, sack or something and didn't do that , but she just didn't get it at first. I know what I've said probably doesn't help much, but hopefully she won't be scared at the signs, and I imagine within the next 6 months or so she may start if you've noticed hair.

My 10 year old also started showing the same signs when she was about 8. Her breasts have only gotten slightly bigger over the last 2 years, and she's gotten a bit more pubic hair, but no period yet. Her doc said this is all normal.

I know it can be uncomfortable, but I would stress talking to your kids whenever you have the opportunity, and not waiting to have "a talk." In fact, I don't thing we'll ever have "a talk" as we talk to our kids (my other daughter is 7) openly on an ongoing basis about puberty, sex, relationships, etc. I really don't want them learning about these things from other kids (much of which might be scary or incorrect). And yes, 2nd and 3rd graders are already talking to each other - many have older siblings and unsupervised access to the internet and YouTube. THAT"S whats scary.

When you have a chance, I would let her know a bit about what to expect with her body changing. The American Girl book mentioned (The Care and Keeping of You) is wonderful!

Be sure to inform your daughter what to do if she does get her period and you're not there (go see nurse at school, talk to a friend's mom, etc.).

Good Luck!