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Original poster

*How* *Old* *Were* *You* When* *Puberty* *Started*

51 replies

liteblue2 · 25/11/2007 16:58

How old were you when you started puberty?

How were you told?

How did you feel?

Finally any advice tips would be grateful,as my dd 8 has started puberty.

OP posts:
rantinghousewife · 25/11/2007 17:22

9 when I had my first 'show', 11 when I started proper iyswim.

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 25/11/2007 17:31

OMG - I was a late bloomer compared to you ladies. I was 13 when I first started showing signs of puberty, and 14 when I started my periods.

rantinghousewife · 25/11/2007 17:33

Not sure about tips but nappy bags are very good for wrapping soileds in. Quite discreet and if they have no sani bins at least they won't smell if she has to take them anywhere else to dispose of it. Sorry if TMI.

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MaryAnnSingleBeaker · 25/11/2007 17:33

same as ILikeToMoveItMoveIt

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 25/11/2007 17:34

Just realised I didn't answer your questions.

I learnt most of what I knew via the playground and school nurse. Am not sure why, but my mum never talked to me about it, which is strange as she isn't a prude or anything.

I remember thinking it was a bummer when I started my periods.

Heathcliffscathy · 25/11/2007 17:34

about 10 when boobs started growing. started period aged 11.

being as open as you can helps a lot. my mum got me a book about periods and said if i wanted to talk about anything when i'd read it she was there to talk to. that way it was left to me to make the approach.

PestoMonster · 25/11/2007 17:35

My AF didn't start till I was 17 , but then I was always very small, so don't think I was heavy enough before then. Similarly, didn't start 'sprouting' until I was 13.

HeyThereBert · 25/11/2007 17:36

do you mean shes stered periods, or showing some other signs of puberty?

moyasmum · 25/11/2007 17:47

14 Dont think my or my kids experince can be of any help.
Do you have a good relationship with the school teacher? A sensitive and clued up teacher can be very reassuring for your dd when you arnt around.

MarvinSuggsAndTheMuppephone · 25/11/2007 17:49

I don't remember exactly but I was older than your dd - about 12 or 13.

My Mum never discussed it with me either. I learned all about it from my cousin who is about 3 years older and from school. I was actually extremely embarrassed when I started my period and had to tell her. I only told her because I had leaked blood all over my bedding

It will not be like that for my dd.

KermitTheFrau · 25/11/2007 17:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pooka · 25/11/2007 18:01

Period started at aged 12. Was fine - had covered it in school and my mother was very open.
Don't remember getting breastbuds, but did have a bra in first or second year in senior school. Not needed though! Was AA.
Pubic hair grew later, from aout the time my period started.

PestoMonster · 25/11/2007 18:03

blimey Kermit! I thought I was a late developer

Oblomov · 25/11/2007 18:10
  1. Makes me really sad how young girls start these days.
GreenGlassGoblin · 25/11/2007 18:13

10/11, and my mum had restricted her input to a book, thrust into my hands with 'I think this is yours'. No discussion. I knew what was happening but was embarassed.

luckylady74 · 25/11/2007 18:24

i was 10 when i got my period - it was fine as school and my mum had talked about it. the worst things were my mum sending me out to buy pads - i felt so embarrassed i made my friend do it and also i found keeping clean a problem because i kept leaking, but couldn't manage tampons. i was put on the pill for heavy periods at14 and that sorted it out.
actually, now i've remembered the very worst bit, mum announced to dad and brother at tea table that i was a woman!

ArmadilloDaMan · 25/11/2007 18:28

I was 8 when I started developing boobs and 10 when I started periods and developing pubic hair.

I wasn't really sure what was going on (though I did know vaguely what periods were) and I hated it. I was the only one so far ahead at school. I went through a really bad phase and became very depressed (though this was also down to other things happening at the time). It was a really awful period of my life as I felt singled out adn alone.

I would say talk to her about it - in depth. Explain exactly what is going on, why it is happening and share your stories, your feelings when you started.

DrNortherner · 25/11/2007 18:31

I was about 12/13 and 14 when periods started. So a lete bloomer by comparison to some of you.

I knew all about puberty and periods, from my Mum, school and friends.

scrummymummy1965 · 25/11/2007 18:52

I was just over 10 when I started my periods. My Mum had been buying these "huge ships" (which were pads) for me for ages and a belt to fasten them to. Had really heavy periods from the start and it was a nightmare asking to go to the toilet in class because everyone knew why - I was the first in my year and unfortunately for me my very proud Mum told some of the Mums of the other girls in my class who in turn told their daughters then the whole world knew. I wore a bra from the age of 9.

I quickly got my Mum on to buying tampons.

We had sex education at school when I was about 9, although Mum and Dad did ask if anything needed clarifying once they knew these lessons had taken place.

scrummymummy1965 · 25/11/2007 18:55

my very proud Mum told some of the Mums of the other girls in my class then the whole world knew.

Sorry - should have read before posting!

MaeWest · 25/11/2007 19:00

I was late bloomer (think I was about 14 before I started my periods) but my mum had already talked to me about puberty a long time before. She did basic sex ed when I was 6, as she was pregnant with my younger brother. Then at around 10 she gave me a book about 'Growing Up' which covered all aspects of puberty inc periods. She didn't go into massive detail but can remember feeling happy to ask her questions.

When I finally got my period it felt a bit of an anti-climax as I was one of the last in my group of friends, rather than one of the first. I felt pretty confident that I knew what was going on, and my mum was really nice to me and made my brothers be considerate too!

biglips · 25/11/2007 19:03

my boobs started growing at 10 - i was the only girl who wore a bra that itched too death!! and period started a month after i turned 12

pooka · 25/11/2007 19:13

I had a book called "Where do I come from" for sex ed. Had originally been bought for my brothers, for when my mother was pregnant with me.
Never used pads -vstraight onto tampac mini ones. But then, I was 12.

Original poster
liteblue2 · 25/11/2007 19:26

Thanks....Keep it coming as i find this all very interesting,
I am doing a little research in this as i beilive there isnt a lot out 'Age appriate info' there for young girls such as my daughter.

My daughther suffers with a condition medically which has cause puberty to begin early, at present we are dealing with budding breasts, personal hygiene and acne!

OP posts:
Nymphadora · 25/11/2007 20:05

I was 8 when I started my periods & didn't have a clue, managed to hide the first one then I told my mam.Dd1 is almost 8 & is starting to develop. Will have to start talking to her soon as she has no idea at all.