To be freaking out that DD has gotten her period!!!

[hungryhippo90]

Just exactly that!!
She's a big girl, 4"11and size 5 shoe. She looks about 12 by most people's guesses. I'd expected it to come soon-ish because she's started to get hairy legs. But I thought it would be in a year or so, which would put her at the age when I got my period, but she's 8. And this seems far too young..

Am I bu to really be freaking out about this?

I was freaking out ( secretly) when DD started hers at 11.
My niece started hers at 8 and the GP did give treatment to stop them. Don't know exactly why the decision was taken in her case but I know that it does happen if the GP deems it appropriate

I understand how you feel, my eldest started puberty at 9 and my youngest is going through it at 10. A bit older than your DD but the same as in both very tall and mature for their age and look older too. Me, my mum and and my sis were very early too. It is hard when they're so young because they're not emotionally ready, freak out when you're by yourself its OK! Let her talk about it and I would have a quiet word with the teacher, they will need to know in case she needs support with hygiene at school due to only being 8.

Hetero I agree that periods should be normalised and spoken about. For me they've always been a breeze and I've never had a moments pain and never any mood swings either so I don't project any of that onto my young daughter starting. I know I'm very lucky in that respect.

But 8 is too young to be worrying about the practicalities of them. Thinking ahead to visiting the toilet frequently, having supplies in your school bag, managing disposal in a primary school where the right bins are not necessarily in place. That's too much at 8 and I'm really sorry the OP's DD has to deal with that.

Love taking things in my strudel. Brilliant

Hetereo adults should normalise periods but this is a child who may not have the emotional intelligence to realise that this is fine. As it turns out, OP has raised a mature young lady. Not everyone is like that though and it's ok to be a little shocked if you're the parent of a sensitive child who struggles in some areas of life. It's easy enough to say when it's not your child.

Ah op that's great so glad she's coping right now, what a star, well done to you she's a credit.

Yes periods should be normalised as they are normal. Yes they should be discussed.

However some girls, one of my dds included diggers hugely from cramps and migraine related headaches to her cycle so telling her to 'go play outside' or pull herself together would be cruel and nasty.

Periods are normal but they can be bloody unpleasent at the same time and the coping mechanisms at 8 are not what they are at 18.

Hetero your dd is 1 and you have older boys. So not anywhere remotely in the position that the op is in.

I too had older boys and yes puberty is challenging in many ways but nowhere near as challenging as blood gushing from your knickers onto a school chair in class, and terrible stomach cramps.

You wait and see. Hopefully your dd will breeze through periods but not all women do.

I too know a child who started that young and the doctor did manage to hold them back for a while. Not sure how! I think it would be worth asking. Eight is very young.

YANBU, it's scary when they suddenly grow up like that.

OMG my DD is 8. I would totally freak out. I understand OP.

Nice one OP. Your daughter sounds ace btw.

Definitely take her to GP. There are other growth problems associated with early puberty (I started at 9 and have deformed shoulders).... worth checking into. Please don't freak her out.

There is actually a medical reason why they hold puberty back if it starts before a certain age (easy enough to find out if you google it) sometimes.
Dd1 will be 8 in december and she developed a breast bud a few months ago, shortly followed by the other, her boobs are also growing but there are no other signs of puberty yet.
I'd be shocked if she started her period (obviously would try to be as calm as possible around her) I'm 27 and I started mine when I was about 14 & can still remember how I felt at the time. Op obviously isn't going to act like a dopey idiot around her dd, she's just letting off steam/sharing her shock with us.

Sounds like the OP is an American. 'Freaked out' has a different meaning there than it does here. To translate, the OP is 'surprised' about her dd starting her periods so young.

I started my period at 8 years old. I'm a (fairly) normal 43 year old now.

Plenty of people in the UK use freaked out to mean surprised.

YANBU I would feel exactly the same. Its all very well saying periods should be normalised but let's be honest they are often no walk in the park for us adults and I would feel sad for an 8 year old having to cope with the pain and hassle so young. Im not sure my DD would cope, she still plays with her dolls and believes in the fairy and Father Christmas.

The OP is an American. The use of the word 'gotton' is a giveaway. Of course plenty of people in the UK use the term 'freaked out' to mean surprised - that would be due to all the American telly we have to put up with. That's what I am saying. It is an exaggeration - the OP is 'surprised' - not freaked out. Everybody is over reacting to the OP's over reaction.

Oh I see what you're saying, crossed wires.

Being American does not give free reign to mangle the English language.

Being American does not give free reign to mangle the English language

Being American does not give free reign to mangle the English language.

No, but it does give you the right to use American English.

Free rein

Yes Miss High and Mighty Defender of the English Language, the phrase you're looking for is 'free rein'.

Mua ha ha.