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Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

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Original poster

My 10 year old has started period

21 replies

Honey2822 · 14/12/2023 10:53

My DD just turned 10 years old last month and she has started her period. I am so emotional as she is my youngest and wasn't expecting her to get them so soon. I also have a 13 year old and she hasn't started hers yet. Did anyone else feel upset when their daughter started period at a young age?

OP posts:

ColleenDonaghy · 14/12/2023 11:01

I'm sure it was a bit of a shock if you weren't expecting it, but it's very normal. My cousin and I were 10 and 11 and that was 30 years ago. ETA and we were both fine!

Sdpbody · 14/12/2023 11:50

It is quite strange that the 13 year old hasn't started but the 10 year old has. I would probably make a doctors appointment. Is the 10 year old considerably heavier than your 13 year old?

Original poster

Honey2822 · 14/12/2023 11:56

My 10 year old is very tall for her age and slim

OP posts:

eatdrinkandbemerry · 14/12/2023 12:02

My daughter started hers age 12 and she was really good about it as she had been prepared (I was 16 when mine started so I was shocked about hers).
My youngest is about to turn 10 but she's tiny (and autistic so she's going to struggle) so I'm hoping we have a little more time to prepare her.

captaincalamari12 · 14/12/2023 12:02

I started when I was 10. What ever you do, don't make a big fuss about it. I remember been mortified about it.

WaitingForMojo · 14/12/2023 12:47

Definitely no need to take her to the doctors as a pp suggested, I think that could be really damaging for her. It is normal, and she’s within the normal age range if a little on the early side.

It’s understandable to be surprised, and worried about her managing it at such a young age. But it’s not abnormal.

Danikm151 · 14/12/2023 12:50

I was 10 but knew all about periods from about 8. I was actually excited to get mine( totally regret that now 😂)
just make sure she has a little bag for pads etc. tell her the importance of being clean and be open to any questions she has.
don’t make a massive deal of it.

stclair · 14/12/2023 13:04

My youngest dd had just turned 11 and 2 days into secondary school. She was very upset! I wasn’t expecting it either. Definitely not overweight

Lillipops · 14/12/2023 13:25

My niece has just started hers at 9 years old, feels incredibly young but NHS guidelines state it's normal between 8-13yrs

CC1991 · 17/12/2023 12:33

Seconding no need for doctor's appointment - it's within the normal age range and it's part of the genetic lottery that the younger sister has started before the older one!

Ilovelurchers · 17/12/2023 12:51

10 is perhaps slightly younger than average but no means alarming.

By secondary school I think the majority of girls have started, or if not start in Year 7?

I did feel a twinge of emotion when my daughter started hers at 11 - it is a milestone after all.

NCTDN · 17/12/2023 12:53

Is your 13 yo ok about it? That would be my only concern. My dd was15 so out really shows the range of ages.

KnittedCardi · 17/12/2023 12:58

Both my daughters were early, 10/11, so still at primary school. Both small and slight, but Mediterranean heritage, who apparently are earlier starters. They were both pretty relaxed about it, as I was always very open about periods, and I had warned them, as both had also developed breast buds by 9, so a good indicator or early menstruation

finished31 · 17/12/2023 13:01

Period pants are good. My DD is an adult now and swears by them. She hates the thought of tampons so this is an alternative to consider.

No need to take your other DD to doctors.

Whatonearthdidicomeinherefor · 17/12/2023 13:04

My sister started age 9 but I was nearly 17.

I work in a school & have a couple of children in year 4 who have started.

Softwintersun · 17/12/2023 13:08

Sdpbody · 14/12/2023 11:50

It is quite strange that the 13 year old hasn't started but the 10 year old has. I would probably make a doctors appointment. Is the 10 year old considerably heavier than your 13 year old?

No. Both are normal

VikingLady · 17/12/2023 13:11

My DD started at 11, and I was in shock. But it is developmentally appropriate for her - she's tall, has developed curves and body hair. No one on my side of the family started before 15, but she takes after her dad's side.

Maybe your DDs take after different sides of the family?

DingDongBella · 17/12/2023 13:14

Totally normal, girls start earlier on average now for some reason. I’m more surprised you 13yo hasn’t than that your 10yo has. Though I think medically you don’t need to worry till she gets to 16.
Try not to let her pick up on any negativity. She should’ve had it all explained at school but if she is a bookworm get a book she can dip in and out of at her leisure.

JamSandle · 17/12/2023 13:17

I was that age when I started.

baileybrosbuildingandloan · 17/12/2023 13:17

Sdpbody · 14/12/2023 11:50

It is quite strange that the 13 year old hasn't started but the 10 year old has. I would probably make a doctors appointment. Is the 10 year old considerably heavier than your 13 year old?

Were you going to blame hormonal differences on weight?

Are you an older male GP with no interest or understanding of women's bodies?

OP's answer was much more reasonable- her 10 yo clearly has a very different physiology from her 13 yo, which probably includes hormones.

HoHoHoliday · 17/12/2023 13:22

I started my periods at 10. My sister who was two years older than me didn't start until she was 14, so there was two year gap between us starting though we were raised the same and had pretty much the same physiology. I think it's just random.

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