When to expect first period

[ucannotbserious]

DD is 12 and has started to develop little boobs - bit of a shock as she is still very tiny for her age. I think they are beyond the bud stage (look like large marbles under t shirt!) but still not exactly large!

Thing is, I am wondering when she may expect to start her periods. She is away from home a lot of the time so I feel I need to be more prepared than most Mums for this and would like to have some sort of inkling as to when things might happen and what other signs to look out for as the time gets closer. I do talk to her about it but she seems to think she is years away. I think not!

Funny how I have forgotten what happened to me!

I struggled to remember too!

My DD had about a year between beginning to grow boobs and having her first period. I remember reading a thread on it and that seemed to be about normal.

Other signs to look out for - hormonal mood swings - you can't miss 'em!

how tall is she compared to the rest of the family?

apparently the onset of periods marks the end of the puberty growth spurt so she will be a couple of inches off her adult height when they start.

apart from that i don't think you can tell.

I read on here something about periods likely to start once you get to a certain weight. Possibly 40kg? Somebody else may remember the thread. It struck a chord with me as I was quite late starting periods and I was very skinny. And the girls who started younger all seemed to be a little plumper.

You need to have reached a certain weight to height ratio before it generally happens (can't remember exactly what it is, sorry).. A good book for your DD might be The Care And Keeping Of You to let her know what's ahead -- very sensible and practical advice and info.

Oh, this is all so complicated!

Maybe a way to go as she is still only just over 30kg and very short. She would be a midget if she only has 2 ins left to grow! No sign of any hair yet, but I'll try and edge round to asking if there is any in a less obvious place!

Part of my dilemma is that she has started to develop at all as she is so small. I am concerned that this might mean she will end up v big chested eventually and that wouldn't fit with the plan at all!!

Sadly, I may miss the mood swings as she is away at school so whilst I still see her every week it isn't always long enough to determine any swings!

Getting a book is a good idea but I tried to send her off to school with some towels in September and she wasn't having any of it. Maybe this year she will be a bit happier about it!

The height/weight thing seems to make sense. Me, dd1 and dd2 started when we were 14. We were all tiny and skinny.

(I am still teeny height wise but not width wise unfortunately)

LONG time ago but I definitely had proper boobs when the period came. That is like the last stage isn't it. You have all the other developments already when the period arrives.

I had larger nipples years and years before my periods started,five years I reckon.Also I didn't start until I got close to Seven stone which is I think roughly the universal weight (Can't think in Kilos,sorry)So although I had some changes in my breasts as I was about to leave primary school I didn't start periods until I was 15,close-ish to 16.

ucannotbeserious, I don't think you need to worry too much. As she's 12, she'll already have chatted about this with girls her own age. GIrls start younger now and even in my day, creak, creak, 12 was about normal. Perhaps slightly younger than average. 13 seemed average to me, so I thought. BUT she's not 9 or 10. Now that would be awful. I feel sorry for any girl who starts her periods at 10. but by 12 she'll be as ready as anybody can be......... saying that it took me years to get used to the idea

how small is she?!

I was 13 and a half and 8 stone when I got mine. I think I had been that weight for a year or so. i wonder if there is any rule set in stone at all.

Just to confuse everyone, dd was 14 when she started. She had boobs, and pubic and underarm hair from around 11/12 and was round abour 9.5 stone when she started (and had been for some time) Maybe she's the exception that proves the rule!

My DD is 12 and quite plump (prob about 8 stone) but hasn't started yet.

A friend of mine had a good idea; she gave her DD a pencil case with a couple of towels, disposable bags and knicks, and wipes - as she had memories of the boys emptying girls' bags at school - plus it means if she starts away from home she has everything she needs on her.

how old were you op?

i read 12 and 2 months is the average age now.

The school nurse told the year 7s that they wouldn't start until at least 7 stone/45 kg.... So when DD started (age 12) she wanted to be weighed to see - and she wasn't even 6 1/2 stone. She's about 5'2" she has small breasts, but more than buds; very obvious pubic hair; not much hair under arms. She had had a creamy discharge for over a year. The only girl I knew in DD's class who started in yr 6 was a tiny slip of a thing, but had very well developed breasts. Not sure if that helps because they are all different!

The weight thing you can't go on, I was told that but one of my girls was just 11 and weighed only just 6 stone and was the smallest child in secondary school

All mine had proper breasts before they started though and not just buds but very little body hair

My DD started at 11.5 and was only 6.5 stone. She was curvy despite being thin. I heard it was a certain percentage of body fat rather than weight.

My DD started at 8. No body hair, quite plump but by no means obese, definitely not 40 or 45 kg. We were SO not ready for it... wail!

Wow.. My daughter will be 8 next birthday. What a frightening thought.