Would you tell your eight year old dd about periods if she asked you lots of questions?

[sparkler]

DD was asking loads of questions about babies, what happens if you don't have babies etc and we ended up getting into the subject of periods. I was honest with her and answered her questions as honestly as I could and she seemed fine with that.
Have you told a dd as young this?

[SweetyDarling]

I think that so long as you give honest, truthful information it doesn't matter how young the child is. They take on as much info as they can deal with - the rest just sails over thier head. I was told about where babies come from when my DM was pregnant with my little sister, so I was 2. As I got older I asked more questions and wanted more detail as my understanding and maturity grew.
Removes the mystery and scariness from it all.

[KITTENSOCKS]

Speaking as someone who started her periods at 13 in the early 70's, I feel a bit sorry for the girls who start so early these days. I had a friend who started at 10 during primary school, and she was, I think, the only one at that school.
I was fortunate to have a book from the age of 9 (dad was a nurse, and good with body questions). I re-read the book many times until I was 13!!! I can recommend an Usborne book about the body and its many functions including menstruation for children age 6 and up. I think everyone is right to address their childrens questions early.Another friend at secondary school confided to me that her mother told her nothing, and when she started she thought she was bleeding to death. Her older brother was the one who helped her, having found out about periods from his girfriend!!! Being prepared is very important, knowing the truth from your family who you trust, means you'll disregard old wives tales and myths.

[allgonebellyup]

knows

[allgonebellyup]

yes , my two follow me to the bathroom to try to sneak looks at me putting "the mouse" in. dd is 7 and shes known for ages about the monthly bleeding thing and know its cos my body is getting rid of an unused egg.

[motherinferior]

My two know. They're six and four.

[colander]

One of my friends started at 8, so I would tell her just in case she starts early. I started at 10 so plan to tell both DDs about 8 yo if they haven't asked earlier. My mum didn't warn me about anything and it was a real shock to me.

[nappyaddict]

yes some girls start their periods at 8 so its best they know about it.

[Julia76]

yes I would.

[Kbear]

My DD is 8 and we had the conversastion last week. It was on a letter she read out (from Brownies, about pack holiday) and she asked what periods were so we had a chat, kind of low key but it's opened the subject for future debate!

[gegs73]

I told my DS1 aged 3 when he asked the other day so would definitely tell an 8 yo. You will be able to make sure she understands correctly and she doesn't get info which could be incorrect from a friend at school.

[BettySpaghetti]

I've just told DD (7.8) the basics but only because I found an opened Tampax under her pillow (unused I hasten to add).

She had been going through the bathroom drawers, found these tempting little wrapped things and thought she would have a look. Then she put it under her pillow as thats where she hides everything

[hana]

well yes
my 5 year old already knows a bit

[GryffindorGHOSTY]

I found my DS's reaction to how babies are made very refreshing and it highlighted that the embarrassment comes from our own heads, not theirs.
He had asked various questions from the age of 4 and I had answered honestly but age appropriately ... he knew about the hole that babies come out of and he knew that Daddies put sperm in mummies tummies and that mixes with an egg and makes a baby etc etc ...
But when he asked, at the age of 5, HOW the Daddy did that I couldn't bring myself to tell him so I told him it was a special cuddle. Of course I was mortified when he said, "Oh, can you show me?"
Anyway, when he was about 6 and a half we were chatting at bedtime and he was asking all sorts of questions like "How many stars are there in the sky?". He asked me the baby question again and I knew that a mumbled 'special cuddle' answer wouldn't wash so I took a deep breath and very frankly told him that the Daddy puts his penis in the mummy's 'nunney' (sorry, our name for vagina) and that is how the sperm comes out into her tummy.
He listened carefully, pulled a face when I mentioned the 'bits' but then nodded slowly, taking it all in.
"So Mummy," He said, looking at me very intently and my heart sank, 'What now?' I thought.
"How do aeroplanes stay up in the sky?"

PMSL ... he just took it in like it was any old question, then moved on the next one on his mind.

That was a year ago and he hasn't mentioned it since.

[sparkler]

Thanks guys. I was interested to hear what other people thought. I answered DD's questions without hesitation and honestly and openly as I could. Agree with BigLips re: 8/9 sounding so young to start periods. I was 12 when mine started so the thought of dd starting them as early as 9 is quite

[popsycal]

ds1 who is almost 5 vaguely knows about them and if he asked more, i would be matter of fact and tell him the basics

[MarsLady]

Yes!

[ChasingSquirrels]

my 4yo ds knows, so yes I would definately have told an 8yo dd in the situiation you describe.

[cece]

My friend's nine year old started her periods last week.

My 6 year old knows about them already. She even asked her teacher if she bleeds every month!

[Biglips]

can i just say ...OMG!!!.....8 or 10 yrs old starting periods!!!! Are they getting younger to have them??.... as i was 11.
its scary as ive got a 8 yrs old SD who cud start periods at any time . She seems to be too young to have them!

[MissGrissindor]

I would definitely tell my dd at that age. I had quite a few friends who started their periods when they were 10, so it's better they are prepared for it and know what's happening to them.

[LoveAngel]

Absolutely. I was about this age when I heard the word at school and asked my mum very loudly in a shop what a period was :-) She told me that evening in quite a frank way, then got me some books about it out of the library. I think its important that girls find this out as soon as they're showing signs of readiness (curiosity is the main one). Girls are starting their periods earlier and earlier these days, and it would be awful for a girl to get her period and not understand what was going on. I wasn't frightejed or grossed out by what my mum told me, either - I was excited and couldn't wait to get mine, as it meant I was growing up!

[chocolateteapot]

Yes defintely and DD (8) knows a little bit about them as she asked a couple of years ago.

[FirenzeandZooey]

Yes of course. Ds knows and he is 4.

[harpsichordcuddler]

good grief yes, of course. my niece started her periods at nine. it isn't uncommon.
I n't really understand why you wouldn't tell her tbh

[Biglips]

yes....without a doubt!..