Birds and Bees!

[loobs2]

My DD has just turned ten and I feel it's time to have The Chat with her about periods, sex etc. She is quite a shy, sensitive girl, though, and I don't want it to be awkward or embarrassing - any advice on how to go about this would be much appreciated. Any good books out there I could give her, maybe?

My dd had The Chat at school this year (she was also 10 at the time). I wasn't sure what to do & trawled the internet & bookshops for suitable books but to no avail. I decided to leave it to the school as they had done this many times before, unlike me!

They talked about periods & puberty but the sexual reproduction talk took place separately, in a science lesson, & was limited to sperm & egg & not how they meet up, as it were. I think this was pitched about right & was enough info for my dd at the time. She then came home from school with some questions for me but nothing too hot or too heavy, IYKWIM.

I'd also like some recommendations for further reading if anyone has any? For my dd's benefit, of course, not mine!

Didgeridoo, would you really rather your dd be told at school than explaining things yourself? I don't know what people find so embarrassing about sex ed.

First of all, we're not embarrassed about sex ed & I took my lead from the school as opposed to leaving everything to them. My dd is never reticent about asking us anything to do with sex & we never evade her questions. She already had some knowledge about puberty & where babies come from, I just didn't want to say too much too soon & freak her out! I'm not recommending this for everyone, of course, but on balance I felt it was the right thing to do regarding my dd.

OP, I'd be surprised if she didn't know a bit already. I can't remember the name of the book we got our dd (I lent it to someone). I think it was someting like 'lets talk about how babies are made'. She has been aware of how they are made since she was 7ish. Recently we had the period talk. She refuses to belive me . I think I may need to get a book about that too. She is nearely 9.

If you want a book for this age-range I'd recommend Lets Talk About Sex - it covers puberty and periods and sex, but is aimed at before and around puberty so doesn't get too heavy with the detail.

I'd be very surprised if she didn't know it already by 10.

I think it's better to serve it in dribs and drabs than to sit down consciously and deliberately for The Chat. Enough to make anyone uncomfortable.

Though high time to talk to your 10yo about periods: could be any day now!