Bracing myself...

[Missy]

My dd, my first baby, is going to be TEN on Tuesday and I'm about as freaked out as I was when I turned 35. Probably a little more freaked out. She's still so very much a little girl, but I've seen puberty peeking out a few times and I'm not liking it very much. I know she's going to be a beautiful teenager, but I'm going to miss the baby.

With hsing, her reading has seriously picked up (she hated reading when she was in public school) and I, very purposefully, picked out Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. at the library the other day, fully knowing its content and the questions it's going to raise--but I'm afraid it's time for those questions. She knows about the menstrual cycle and that woman have eggs, but she knows nothing else. Nothing. And I know it's time for her to learn and I want to be open to her questions. But, my parents have never been comfortable discussing sex so I have no model to work from. I'm determined that my kids won't have the same hang-ups I had, that they'll always be comfortable coming to us, but, now that we're approaching that point, it's a little disconcerting.

So, I need strength and clarity...and maybe some good BTDT stories.

Missy

[meco]

I only have a 2 year old so I cannot share.


But as a young woman, I will tell you be open and honest. And keep dialogue open as well. That was most important to me. Being able to ask questions, and also being allowed/able to get info from other close friends...not always my mom or dad. I loved that book too. I should go check it out again.

Ooops, meant to say~How exciting!!! Ten years old, what a fun age Happy Birthday to you DD.

[hvl25]

my son is going to be 11 next Sunday so i know where you are coming from. he knows alot from me, his school is having some pubery class for parents/kids on Wednesday, i am considering going just to see what they say, but he isn't sure he wants me to go with him. he told me they have to watch some kind of movie too. he probably knows more than what the movie will show

Happy Bday to your daughter

[Mom4tot]

Happy Birthday to your dd, Missy My dd will be 10 in Sept., and I know what you mean by puberty sneaking up on them. My dd is still very much a little girl. We have had many discussions about menstruation and where babies come from. She never asked directly about sex (or intercourse). She is a very sensitive child as well. The other night she finall asked..."Mommy, how does the sperm actually get from the father to the egg?" Really, I can't believe I am admitting that here, but she just never seemed interested and I wasn't sure how to tell her. But, the other night I did, and it went well. We talked for awhile and I just answered her questions and talked about some of the emotional aspects of making love...she seemed satisfied. They grow up so fast!!

[Gidget]

My son is ten and had puberty classes at school. I didnt think they were all the informative so I am looking at books for him. And I want him to know how females work too. SInce he will be a husband someday I think he should be more informed than his father,who does not even know the diff between a tampon and a pad.

We had "the" talk with him when he was 8. He kept asking more and more leading questions about sex.So we both got together and sat him down and built up to the intercourse with the whole "when two people love each other" speech. Well, after we explained the actual act, but before we were done talking, he was scooting backwards off our bed and backing towards the door with a look of horror on his face! Poor kid was mortified. I went to his room and told him that he could not tell any of his friends this since thier parents may not be ready for them to know yet. He avoided looking at me and said he wouldn't anyway. HE was okay the next day.

Now though, he asked some odd questions about sex. Once he said that people must have ALOT of sex to get twins(which by the way, he has been telling me since his sibs were born he will have one day).

I guess I can onl y tell you my experience with talking about sex, but not to a girl. My sister may be of better assistance. I will direct her this way.

[Ruthla]

Happy Birthday to your "medium sized" girl!!!

[Irishmommy]

Moving this to Preteens and Teens...

[Alkenny]

Happy birthday to her! My oldest is almost 12, and all I can say for BTDT is to go with the flow and follow her lead. Each child is different, my DD didn't even WANT to discuss anything with me when I approached the subject, so I bought her some books. She's asked me questions here and there and I always answer her simply and honestly.

[johub]

American Girl has a book called
"The Care and Keeping of You, a body book for Girls"
THis book is AWESOME! I would recommend it for all girls.
Even though I have discussed everything in this book with my dd it is great for her to have a "manual" of sorts. She still looks through it and references it.
It does not deal with sex directly, but it does great with the body changes of puberty as well as self care etc. . .