Puberty

I started at 11 but my mom started at like 14 or 15 so she may be earlier. I would at least talk to her about it. And if she needs to shave the pits, then by all means have her...it is something that I think kids will tease about and you dont need to add anything to that list!

Hi M., I am 33 now and I started when I was 10. A long time ago, I remember shaving in the 5th grade, because some girl made fun of the hair on my legs, so I begged my mom. So, it's not just "these" days that girls are starting early. Best of luck with you, I have an 11 year old son and an 11 year old almost step daughter. And they are BOTH in puberty...Grrr...

It's definitely possible. I started on the last day of 5th grade and had terrible PMS symptoms for a month or two leading up to my first period :(

Unfortunately your daughter is not too young. Welcome to the world created by the overuse of antibiotics and hormones in our food! Seriously...I'm not kidding.

That being said, she's not too young. You're going to have to talk with her about what is happening to her body and what to expect. You should, together, go to the store and buy some products for when her period does start...then she is prepared and won't be caught off guard with nothing. There are plenty of small discrete pouches or purses that she can have with her so she has something whenever it does happen.

As far as the shaving, I would hold off until there are a few more then just 2 hairs. I would start off with an electric razor as it is more difficult to cut themselves with that.

M.,
Yeah I was pretty surprised when that all showed up on my 9 year old. I actually made a doctor appt to get hormone (thyroid, etc...) checked out to make sure that she didn't have some type of growth disorder/issues due to the timing being a couple years earlier than me. Anyway, labs came back normal and the doctor said that 10ish is not so surprising for hair and some mood changes. My experience as a Youth Leader say girls go through "2 years of PMS" before they start! Not fact just feelings!!!! As to the shaving, mine asked me recently and I started too too early. So, we are comprimising with NAIR for her armpits only, right now. I know I snuck my mom's razor and I don't want her to do that. Anyway, hope that helps.
B.

I have a daughter that just turned 11. About a year ago we had a check up with the family doctor and he was telling me that what used to be the norm when we were kids is not the norm now. He said girls as young as 10 are getting their periods and that the shift is that girls between the ages of 11-12 is more of the "normal" He didn't know if it had to do with enviromental changes such as steriods in the dairy products we consume - or what. But I do know my 11 year old has started developing more than I would like. We have had to buy her an electric razor to shave her legs and have had to go shopping for bra's - it is a necessity now though she doesn't like to wear them. I wish we could put off them growing up but unfortunately not. Good luck.

i was in 5th grade when i started my period so i think that is abotu 10 anyways that summer going into 6th grade is when i shaved my legs my mom was pretty mad but got over it i have very dark hair and was very hairy, i would probably let her.

I started my period one month after turning 12. My daughters pediatrician told me to expect her to start about 6 months earlier than I did. Well she started right after turning 10! I was so shocked. She is 13 now and she seems to have the body of an 18 year old. I am just so surprised how early she matured. I am not very happy about it! lol! But what are you going to do.

I'm 34 years old and began mensing when I was 9 and 3/4... so it is possible. I've also heard that with all the pollution from plastics (a whole other can of worms) that emit hormone disruptors that children are beginning puberty earlier nowadays regardless of the hereditary factor (you began at 15 so that should have indicated when she began). Just make sure she knows the facts since 10 is still young, especially to some of her classmates who may not know what's going on, especially at sleepovers. Don't wait until she is teased about her body hair to make her come to you and ask to shave. Maybe ask her how she feels about it and buy her a nice electric razor to ensure safer shaving if she wants to do it. Communication is important to maintain a positive body image at this time if she is indeed making the transition to womanhood. Good luck!

It takes a couple of years after hair starts growing and breast develop. It shouldn't happen right away because of two hairs. I started when I was 13 but I started developing when I was 10. I had to get a bra and started growing hair.

M., I was 9 when I started my period. I would tell you to make sure she knows what a period is and what changes will take place. I didn't know anything and thought I was dying, and when I got my mom all she could say was Oh my baby not my baby. Which only made my fear worse. Till she finally explained what was happening. As far as shaving I would have her wait till she has a little bit more hair or until she wants to shave. I would let her know that when she feels ready to shave you are ready to let her. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Kids are developing waaaay faster than we were. Let her take the lead on the shaving. What is she comfortable with? Don't rush her, she will feel awkward about it!

Puberty - Love it! NOT

S.

They do seem to be starting early. I was 13, my 9 year old is currently showing the "signs"...some say it can be any day now or it still could be a few years. Make sure she has read the American Girls Book about getting to know yourself. She has and is fully awaare of what may happen. We cannot stop it, yet we can make them comfortable and aware of it so it isn't scary! WHY do they have to grow up so quick???

Hi M.,
I was 9 years old when I first started my period, then 6months later- when I had already turned 10, I had my periods monthly. My mom began her period around 15 years old too- which I think is not so common, but a good thing. I think that the reason for this is because there is so much hormones and steriods in our foods- meats, milk-, and this causes the children to develop earlier.
My 12 year old still has not began her period, but she si developing very quickly. I have thought about the shaving thing, but have decided to not have her shave yet. Obviously if her arm pits are full of hair, then yes, but I wouldn't if she has only a few hairs. I didn't shave right away.
Hope this helps.
God bless you on your decision.
K.

Hi M.---First, good luck with adapting to all of these changes. Puberty, of course, is a natural change of life, but I do think that our environment and lifestyle habits have changed the timing for many of us. I don't have much advice on shaving or those other things, my concern is about nutrition and how it impacts puberty. We have the ability to protect ourselves from the negative effects of our environment and I can help explain how to do that.

I really do believe that we have changed our biological timing by our food and other environmental factors. We are consuming hormones and other chemicals that are sure to have an effect on our physiology. I've read research that talks about how all of these additives in our meat and milk are affecting our health. These growth hormones have a huge impact on our reproductive systems. There are too many issues to go into much detail here, but I am ready to share my research if you would like to look at these studies more closely. A couple of quick recommendations. If you must drink milk (www.strongbones.org) and eat meat, be sure that it is organic or at the very least, hormone and antibiotic free, like Laura's beef which can be found at Kroger. There was also a comment about estrogen in soy, which is true, but good quality non-GMO soy is beneficial to health, contact me to find out why.

I have my own business as a wellness educator and will soon be certified by a homeopath who has a PhD in nutrition. I also have a bachelors in Home Economics. I facilitate wellness presentations in your home for friends and family at no charge. Feel free to call me to know more about how protect your family from the environmental toxins that we face each day. I would be honored to help in any way. In health, D. ###-###-####

My sister and I were very young. I we both had boobs by ten. We were both well endowed. We were both thin also so that was not a factor. I had started getting "hair" around 9 and it filled in by ten followed by a period. I was not a 100 pounds either. I actually remember hitting a 100 pounds I was older it was a major ordeal when it happened. It happens when it happens. But I think I would go over the basics. I didnt say anything to my mom about shaving because frankly the girls in my class didnt have hair. I didnt know what to do and then one day It came up in a weird way and my mom acted like "why didnt you just say so". So maybe bring it up to her. I hope this helps. Good Luck! I am not looking forward to this with my girls.

It started my period when I was 11, so she may be approaching it.I would shave for her, and show her a little later how to do it herself,unless she wont let you then just get her her own supplies and maybe just see if shell let you help her at first so she dont cut herself. Good luck

10 is not young...on the contrary, 15 is quite late these days. She would probably be better off with a cream hair removal or something instead of shaving. Deoderant may be in order, though, if she doesn't already use it.

Kind of catches you off guard, doesn't it??? I thought I had all this time before I had to deal with this stuff with my 17 year old son....HA!

~L.

Don't wait any longer to have the chat with her and inform her of the changes going on!!!!! Your daughter will get the sex-ed stuff in 5th grade but you want her to be informed beforehand and it's better to hear it from Mom the first time around. Provide the info in a relaxed atmosphere and let her know she can come to you at any time with questions or concerns. My oldest daughter "blossomed" at age 11 or 12 and my younger daughter at age 10 and both girls were prepared. I'm glad I didn't wait with them. I also encourage your daughter to keep "supplies" in her locker at school. We found a simple small make-up tote that was handy for maxi pads and panti-liners. Good Luck

With all the hormones in Milk these days amoung other factors I am not suprised to hear it... my neighbor had the same situation just this year.
I started my period at 15 also but as my daughter is only 7 just now I am not dealing with this yet.
But I talk to my neighbor about it alot.
Her daughter did start her period about 8 months after the hair appeared. Sure , she can shave her pits, especially if it is summer... I am sure everything else can wait until it comes fully in!
I am sure you will get lots of feedback that this is more common than you think ! Scary for us!!
Good luck!

I have 2 daughters, 13 and 11. Both showed signs of beginning puberty around the age of 10 (mood swings, growth spurts, breast buds, greasy hair, etc). However, my 13 year old has yet to start. Dr. mentioned something about when her breasts stop developing and/or she weighs 100 pounds. I'd never heard this before but has been true so far for her.

As for shaving, I wouldn't worry about it until there is more there. I just shaved my 11 year old's legs this week as she was feeling self conscious - let her guide you on this as once you start, it's hard to go back.

I attended a puberty workshop with 11 year old this spring that was fantastic! The website is www.greatconversations.com They might have some good information on their site. I highly recommend attending a workshop if there is one in your area.

Good luck!

Hi M.,

Welcome to the pre-teen world! I started at 14, the last one of my friends, my oldest started at 12. From my non scientific gathering, that seems to be the average. If you look at 5th &6th graders in a group, you will see the signs of development clearly present. Other than the obvious hair signs, look for a huge growth spurt, mood changes, control issues that weren't there before, and then expect her to get her period within the year of those things.
Have her shave if it bothers her. I let my girls know when they reached pre-teen age, that when they wanted to start shaving to let me know. If it doesn't bother them, then I don't care either at this age. However, hygiene is the key here. She need to know about body odor, showering more frequently and deodorant because it can start before the periods start. I would buy her one of those teen deodorants, a box of pads, just to have on hand. As one of the other reader's suggested, we also have the American Girl book on puberty, and it is pretty good to keep on hand. You could make it into a special package just for her, and keep the lines of communication open. Good Luck, LOL

Hi M.,
I am going through the same thing.My daughter is 11 and she first started last October.I also started at 11.When she started getting hair under her armspits it wasnt an issue that I had to have her shave them right away.When I noticed it was getting darker and longer I bought her the Veet hair removal cream.I also had to start putting it on her legs.(dark hair runs in the family)I just recently had her use a razor for her pits because the smell of the cream was getting to me.Next we'll go for the legs.The issue I had to deal with when she first got her period was making sure she changed everytime she uses the bathroom.They didnt learn much in school.So my advice is to talk to her about it all.

Good Luck!
~J.~

I was 13 when I started, My mom was 9 and my oldest daughter was 10, my middle daughter is 12 and hasn't started yet so it is very possible that she is. It is a very individual thing, there is no set schedule for puberty.

E.

I was 10 when I started my period. It just depends on the girl. It's never too early to talk about it so they are prepared. I remember that they didn't talk about it until the follow year. That morning I woke up and my stomach hurt. I went to the bathroom and there was blood all over the place in my underwear and pajamas. I thought I was dying! lol.

Shaving doesn't need to start now... but it's all on one's preference. If there's only a few, I wouldn't worry about it, especially if it's not bothering her! Once thing is you could show her how... then if she wants to she can.

Hope this helped

I started my periods when I was 11 years old. My older sister started when she was 14. There is some heredity involed but every person has their own "schedule".

My 10 year old has had underarm hair for 2 years, and I finally let her shave (I did it) I freaked out when she was 8, but I guess the average age is younger and younger. I wonder about the hormones in meat and milk, and possibly the estrogen effect in soy (which is a great benefit to pre-menopausal women) From my internet research, the budding of breasts usually starts a few years before menstruation, so I expect my daughter to start this year. I started a few months before my 12th Bday, so its not as early as it sounds, but being my baby girl seems strange! We have a Dr visit in August and I plan to get as much info as possible to us both.

I started at 12, but my oldest daughter started at 10. She developed early, needless to say. Usually a girls period starts about 1 year after she has a large amount of pubic hair. As for shaving, I think that is a personal choice. My daughter started shaving legs and arm pits around end of 4th grade, I think, when she was 10. My 9 year old wants to now, but I won't let her yet. (She is also an early developer.)

Kids seem to be developing earlier but sometimes it is a long process. I'd be sure she has all the info and I'd find a way to eliminate the underarm hair gently so she isn't teased or self-conscious. Shaving is probably the easiest and she can control it herself. Sounds like she's on the road. No way to know when periods will start. It seems anytime between 9 and 15. My 4 girls were moody for years before they actually had periods.

Hi M.,

I started my period when I was 10. After I started, that's when my mom and grandma talked to me about shaving my legs/armpits etc. They also talked to me about how I might feel while on my period.

I hope this helps. It may be hard for your daughter at first because I know it was hard for me...I felt like an outsider because I didn't know or think that any of my friends were dealing with the same thing.

~K. P.