My daughter is nearly 9?

Question

At what age should I be telling her about periods? the problem is her friends appear to know more than she does and I dont what her to appear naive. I want her to stay as innocent for as long as possible but looking at the real world it just aint like that! I started my periods at 10 and didnt have a clue what ws going on! and I dont want that to happen to her....but then if I tell her I dont want to scare her or freak her out!!!

Answer 1

As a mother of a young tween I can understand where you are coming from. I decided to tell my daughter at age 10 since girls seem to start earlier these days. She started when she was 11 and I am glad she was well aware of it all before she started. She has also handled so much better than I ever I did when it happened to me. However, my mom and I never had the relationship my daughter and I have.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It is natural for you to want to keep your daughter 'innocent' for as long as possible, but if her friends appear to know more than she does then its a pretty safe bet that they've passed some of that information on to your daughter. Perhaps its best if you have a chat to her now, she may be feeling confused and overwhelmed by what she has heard, and you are the best person to set the record straight for her and to clear up any worries she might have. You don't need to make a big deal out of it or go into lots of cold clinical detail, just tell her what changes to expect now that she's growing up and let her know that you will always be there for her to come to with any problems.

Answer 3

Kids will often start their periods at the age you started yours so if you started at ten now would be a good time. You will probably find that she knows more than she is letting on to you anyway (playground stuff). Some primary schools cover it in their final year anyway but its nice to come from mum. Just sit with her and explain it- i am sure there are lots of good books and stuff out there nowadays to help you- try to do a bit of googling on the subject- or just sit and tell her how it is- its how a girls body changes when you grow up and start turning into a young lady, its nothing to fear, infact its something to celebrate- don't let her dread it every month- its a celebration of woman hood. Make sure you get her undivided attention for quarter of an hour to run through basics- then a later date you could sit and talk through the sanitary towel/tampon thing and hygiene. Good Luck.

Answer 4

oh wow! Mine just turned 10 and she has been asking me to tell her ever since she was in the 3rd grade. Thats when my sister told my neice. I thought that was way too early. So I told her last year, she was in the 4th grade. Actually I didn't even tell her. My sister got her this book at Bath and Body works about your body. It's for girls just about your daughters age. It was great. We read a chapter or section every night before bed and I gave her a chance to ask whatever questions she wanted, and answered them as best as I could. Now I'm glad I did. She just now entered the 5th grade and her best friend started her period over the summer. I know the time is coming real soon and we are both prepared. My mom never talked to me about it and it was very scary and uncomfortable when I did start. Not for my daughter though. We're both ready to hit this head on!!!

Answer 5

tell her now so she is prepared.i started at age 11 almost a month before turning 12 .and so did 2 of my daughters and another started at 13.but my granddaughter started very young before she was 10 .many girls today start early she may have friends that already do.have the talk buy her pads show her how to use them and have her carry a small purse all the time with pads just in case.good luck.

Answer 6

Hi there I have a 9 year old son so I admit that I don't have that particular issue, what I do have is other issues with him so I sat him down to ask him what he knew, while he knew a bit more that I bargained for, he was relatively innocent. Maybe is you sit her down and to stop from saying too much, just clarify any questions she has. At the least it would be a starting point.

Answer 7

talk to her now and tell her what period is and what are the consequences after a girl gets her period...for example : she can get preganant bla bla bla ....most mum's don't telll their daughters about the consequences and all i hear on the tv are girls who are getting pregant and having sex with the wrong guys...tell her the important details because if you don't then she will be more Naive like the girls who get pregant at 12 or 14....

my mum told me about virginity when i was young but never told me about period and when i was 12 ridining my bike i got my period and was so scared because i thought i lost my virginity...i mean telll her the difference and educate her...she can still be innocent and not get pregant at a yound age and also...she can be the most intelligent girl at her age...:)

Answer 8

If by the statement "her friends appear to know more than she does" you are referring specifically to their knowledge of menstruation, sex and reproduction, then you should go ahead and talk to your daughter now. Otherwise, the only info she'll get is from her friends, and if what they have to say wouldn't freak her out, then nothing will.

Good luck. I know it's a difficult decision to make, but it sounds like time and circumstance has pretty much already made that one for you.

Answer 9

Is she in fourth grade? I know at the local elementary school they start sex ed in the fourth grade. Ask her questions and see just how much she already knows and about what she may have heard then just take it from there. Telling her about nature changes to her body isn't exposing her to the evils of the world.

Answer 10

My mom told me about them when I was 9. Having knowledge about periods won't make her any less innocent than she already is. YOU and your husband need to discuss these things with her, not the school.