Stupid decision about sex ed at my DD's school…so...

[SnowSpot]

… can you recommend any sex ed. books or tv shows for a 10 YO girl?

In the country I've moved to, sex ed is only optional for schools. And my DD's school has decided it's not appropriate. My dd is suddenly showing signs of entering puberty and I would love recommendations of lighthearted but informative books or TV shows about puberty etc. She's quite nervy and embarrassed about things like that, so I don't want to freak her out.

Please please please help!

[exexpat]

My DS and DD had the boys' and girls' versions (respectively) of an Usborne book called What's Happening to Me. Covered everything about puberty and the basics of sex etc in a way suitable for children of that sort of age.

Also, DD (just turned 12, started periods a year ago) thinks the videos on Youtube are hilarious.

[SnowSpot]

Expat thank you so much!!! Love Usbourne books, so will get those for sure (both versions too as I think it's good for her to know about boys as well).

And that youtube video looks perfect.

Thanks again!

[exexpat]

The girls' version does actually cover what happens to boys too (and vice versa) but in less detail, and there is a lot of stuff that is pretty much identical in both, so it is probably not worth getting both versions, IMO.

[Bunbaker]

Which country are you in that doesn't do sex ed with children?

[SnowSpot]

Bunbaker - rather not say as there aren't many Brits where I live and I'd pretty much would be easily identified. But it's a Catholic country and they fudged the whole "we'd rather not think of sex too much" by making it optional. It's ridiculous.

[Bunbaker]

OK. I didn't mean to put you on the spot. I agree it is ridiculous though.

[SnowSpot]

No prob! It's a natural question. The problem is, as an international woman of mystery, i have to keep my civvy identity intact for the sake of the agents out in the field who are depending on me…

[Bunbaker]

Are you M?

[SnowSpot]

No, I am masquerading as an exotic henchmaiden of Spectre and my codename is Mumsy VonDroopentitten.

[Picklesauage]

Just a thought, is there a sensible teacher you like at her school? Perhaps approach them and ask for what materials they would use if the school did choose to do it? It might give you a starting point.

I am a teacher (in UK) and have gone into hospitals to do sex ed with long term patients at request of a parent before.

If not honesty and openness is the best policy. The first 20 minutes are awful. After that though the embarrassment tends to give way to a genuine want to know. Then the real questions come out!

[SnowSpot]

That is such a good idea Picklesausage. I will ask her very nice teacher about this.
I've also ordered those Usbourne books online so looking forward to getting those. Perhaps in high school they do sex ed here - I don't know. It just seems to be leaving it a little late as at age 10 she is already changing. I just don't want to shock/gross her out if I am hamfisted about helping her.

[GingerbreadPudding]

Babette Cole has written two brilliant, funny books for introducing puberty and sex to children. I always use them to start our sex ed units (I'm a teacher) I can't remember the names - look on Amazon. I think they're fab.

[SnowSpot]

Thanks Gingerbread! Love her stuff - it's nicely dark - so will look those up.