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Puberty at 8 years old???

17 replies

musicalfamily · 03/07/2013 11:36

My DD is 8 (nearly 9) and is going through what seems to me like puberty. She had a period (light) about 3 months ago, then just some discharge since but a few months before that she has started with bad mood swings, many headaches and generally a lot of bursting into tears and random behaviour.

She is also developing pubic hair and I can see a slightly bit of shape around her breasts. She also has a shapely figure, very skinny but I can see hips and a bum which were not there before. All very scary. Weirdly height wise she hasn't grown at all for a little while...although she is very tall for her age too and her feet are nearly the same size as mine!

I have taken her to the GP who said if we get another period she will refer her to a specialist. At the moment is on "wait and see". As she is my first child I am not sure what to do. I had my first period at nearly 17 years old so I have no idea how it must feel at such a young age.

The worst part is the behaviour and the mood swings but generally I am just after some reassurance that anyone else has gone through this? Thanks in advance!!

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MrsGSR · 03/07/2013 11:40

I was about 10, so a bit older. I had some hormonal fall outs with my mum, she was very patient. When my body started changing she took me shopping for some new ' older' clothes which made it all very exciting!

musicalfamily · 03/07/2013 11:55

thankyou MrsGSR, maybe I ought to suggest that? could be a good experience amongst lots of crying/tantrums/etc....

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MrsGSR · 03/07/2013 12:28

It definitely helped us.
I remember getting really angry for no real reason and not knowing how to deal with all the emotions, I think I did take it out on mum a bit. Luckily she had 3 younger sisters so knew not to take it personally!

MolotovCocktail · 03/07/2013 12:31

My body started changing shape and I started to grow pubic hair at around 8/9yo. I was in a B cup bra aged 9 and had my first period at 11yo.

You seem really on the ball, OP. Just give her lots of love and support her by telling her how beautiful she is and by being understanding about the physical changes. Shopping for new clothes is a great idea, too :)

Chloe1993 · 03/07/2013 12:40

I was 8 when I started my Period. My niece is 7 and has began to grow pubic hairs and been very emotional and stroppy, its very obvious also that she is growing in the breast area too. We have got her training Bra's so its not so obvious in her school tops that its happening because she seemed very self conscious about it. Lots of explaining about how every woman goes through it really helps also telling her you get to shop for new things puts ease on the situation :) x

musicalfamily · 03/07/2013 12:48

thank you all for the words of reassurance and suggestions. I am not sure I am dealing with her mood swings very well, I tend to get irritated and I have shouted/snapped at her too.

Stepping back I know it's the wrong thing to do, but with other 3 children to look after and a full time job, it can get a little trying...

I am going to do my best to try and turn it round into positive mode - it helps to know I am not on my own so thanks again!!! xx

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Onesleeptillwembley · 03/07/2013 12:49

Aww poor thing. Puberty is bad enough when you're in your teens.

lollylaughs · 03/07/2013 12:52

Dd started proper periods a few months back at age 10. She started developing breasts at age 9 and pubic hair shortly afterwards.

She saw the paediatrician for something else around this time and I mentioned it to him and he didn't not feel it was too early for her, but quite within the correct norms.

She was very stroppy during that time and she has had a very major growth spurt since and is now way taller than most of her friends.

musicalfamily · 03/07/2013 13:25

lolly, what did you do when she was stroppy? Do you have any tips on how to behave? Anything I say to her she seems to blow up (either rage, strop but mostly floods of tears), I have to tip toe around her constantly and she pretty much ignores a lot of requests. Would love some positive ideas for managing it without upsetting her...

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lollylaughs · 03/07/2013 13:43

Musical, im with you on this. I felt like I was tiptoeing around her all the time as every little thing would upset her and she would fly off the handle at the smallest thing. I have to say that it didn't last that long, but when her period is due I can tell as she get a bit like that again. She is far from regular (every second month I would say) but I can tell when she is going to start her period a few days in advance..

As I suspected it was puberty, I got her a book and I explained everything to her - including how she is feeling ie moody and we are quite open about everything. I also explained to dh as to why she was being like that as he doesn't do tears very well...

I think you have to just play it by ear, it is totally out of character for my dd to cry etc. I took her out quite a bit alone for some one on one time and just as quick as it came - it went.

Just have some pads handy and explain to her how to use them. This was something I didn't do and she started her first period in the morning about 10 minutes before we were out the door on the school run so I wish I was just a little more prepared... I had the pads, I just hadn't explained to her how to use them and then I had to send her off to school like that without a proper explanation of how to use them. Luckily I am on good terms with her teacher so I did send her a quick text msg to let her know. She was fine I wasn't.

Good luck, you will get through this...

musicalfamily · 03/07/2013 13:55

thankyou so much lolly!! I would be interested in any book recommendations if you have any, will have a look online now!!

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lollylaughs · 03/07/2013 14:50

The book we have is called "What's happening to me" which I got off amazon a few years back and kept until needed.. (my older ds caught me off guard when he was about 6 so I wanted to be prepared for dd Grin ) They may be some nicer ones now, but this one was fine for what we needed. We went through the book together. If you have a younger ds I got 'Living with a willy" for my ds. It sits on his bookshelf and it comes out quite a lot - I hear fits of giggles from the room sometimes...

musicalfamily · 03/07/2013 16:31

excellent suggestions, thankyou lollylaughs, I will have a look!! I also have boys so will follow suggestions for those too!!!

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MiauMau · 04/07/2013 19:24

The start of Menstruation is weight related. Mine came when I was 9 at a christmas party Confused
When I told my mum she gave me a book and told me to ask her anything that I did get.

musicalfamily · 06/07/2013 15:39

Is it weight related? My DD1 only weighs 28kgs...surely that isn't enough? I was nearly 17 and weighed 58kgs when I got mine - this theory doesn't sound that reliable?!

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JuliaScurr · 06/07/2013 15:55

I try to treat all the horrific madness & mood swings as an illness, get her to drink water when she gets upset, cuddle her when possible and tell her it's just being 13 :)
no idea if it works
I haven't killed her, so that's a plus
:)

JuliaScurr · 06/07/2013 15:56

But yes - 8 is young, but a few friends kids were that age

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