When to have "the talk"

Question

My oldest is 8 and she has started developing and sometimes has pains in her lower stomachs (starting to have cramps I think). So my question is when should I start having the talk with her? Not the sex talk but the "body changes" talk. Btw, I've talked to her before about wearing a training bra and she got embarrassed...

Answer

I think you should start talking about this sort of stuff now. I think it's  important to talk about sex and relationships throughout your child's life and not just have one awkward conversation. You can start talking about puberty and when they are older you can explain sex, STDs and pregnancy etc. If you take it one step at a time it becomes easier in the long run. 
Good luck

Answer

Well, coming for a 15 year old, my mom gave me the body changes talk at the age of 8. And around the age of 9-10, I hit puberty and I knew what to do because I had all my supplies and I knew what to do.

Answer

American Girl Company makes a great book called "The Body Book" that covers everything from hair to hygiene to breasts to food to periods, for girls ages 8-11. I've used it in several groups that I've done, and the girls love it. I like it because it just goes head to feet so it throws the weird stuff in with the normal stuff in a way that just makes it all seem normal.

Answer

Definitely tell her. My friends still hold it against their moms for not telling them anything about it when they got it. It's terrifying. Way better to be embarrassed. Try leaving her a book about puberty and body changes on the dresser after just stating when we reach double digits our bodies change. Don't say much more and leave the book for her to read on her own time. Trust me, she will read it.

Answer

Talk to her. Better to be embarrassed and know what is going on than freak out be embarased and not know what is going on. You can leave her a lil book packet thing about periods and talk to her so she understands

Answer

My daughter is 9 and she started developing breast buds at 7.5! We have always had open discussions and we have a very close relationship. She comes to me with questions and I answer them as she asks them. If I notice something she hasn't asked about - I will initiate the conversation. I think it's important for the two of you to feel comfortable talking to each other about being a lady. So the sooner the better. 😊

Answer

The sooner the better. I had the talk at 9 and I think you have to include sex because it's the essential WHY part of what's going on. If you don't touch on that, your child isn't going to really get the full idea. There are ways to do that without condoning sex, if that's your concern.

Like I said, I was taught at 9. I didn't have sex till I was 19. I was certain to be safe about it specifically because of my mother's teaching. I didn't get my period till I was almost 17, and though it took me forever to figure out how to put a tampon in (I'm still embarrassed at how difficult that was for me, I don't even know how is physically possible), I was never worried or confused about what was going on. I did have a few accidents but that's normal.

Knowledge is power. And you being the one to teach her means you control what she picks up. Better than hearing stuff from other kids at school who've just heard about it.

Answer

One of the things my mom did was get an excellent book on body changes and puberty, written for the age group. I wish I remembered the name. But we had our awkward talk and she gave it to m sister and I (I'm a twin) and I used it again and again. It was fascinating and answered any questions I felt Embarrassed to ask my mom. I intend on finding the latest version of it when my kids get old enough.

Answer

Please talk to her as soon as possible. My mother didn't have talk with me until I was 11, when I'd already learned everything from my older friends.

Answer

My parents and I never had a talk about sex, and I don't really think I needed one. I'm the oldest so I'm not sure if my younger sister got one either. My mom gave me an American Girl book when I was around 10 that talked about periods, puberty, etc, but she also told me that if I had any questions to just ask her. I got my period on my 13th birthday, and I wasn't afraid to ask her what to do, even if I was a little embarrassed!

When to have "the talk"

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