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 don't think body fat is necessarily relevant either - DD has always been quite plump and I've been nervous that she might start early.
But she's now 12 and coming to the end of Y7, so I'm quite relaxed about it now.

THanks, all. Starting to feel a bit more reassured, now!

You know, I can't remember when I started, but I was in my teens, I think.

DD is definitely v small - about 5 stone and yes, the shortest in her school. It is a boarding school - a dance school, in fact, which partly explains the size!! I know the house parents will be able to help her, but it's not the same as Mum!

I love the pencil case idea as one of the reasons she was reluctant to take anything with her before was that she was embarassed about people seeing it. We'll sort that out over the summer - assuming nothing has happened by then!

I think it is how long is a piece of string? I have two DDS and they were completely different. One was 11 the other 15. The only thing in common was pain on ovulation the first time and period pain before it started. So she may get some warning if she can recognise it.

Dd is at a ballet school as well. I had always thought that the more exercise you did, the later things started to happen, which is partly why I am surprised that the boobs have appeared already! It is obviously a minefield out there!