first periods and tween period trackers?

[pinkmamalama]

My eldest daughter (10 years old) is maturing much faster than her peers (I can't quite believe it to be honest, feels like puberty is happening earlier and earlier). She's visibly noticing changes and asking me A LOT of questions, mostly around why she's getting hairy legs on not her friends, breast development etc. Of course I answer these in a way that I think is most appropriate to me.

I have had a very light chat with her about periods and I know school has given an intro too, but I wondered if anyone has come across any good resources to share for independent learning or got any experiences to share ?

I got my DD this book to explain all about puberty.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Whats-Happening-Girls-Facts-Life/dp/0746069952/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=48685089010&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3aUZIAX5l1-wWnOdNkE_SobMaXff3MBvXkq5h7otNsxqN4NGf7HlkNPFK5VNlWseJf0-6xKQ3QRwpPPFExv8A3wgTeiv5ulez4Skcat-6YKQ41ivmTRNW9uozTkN_6gjOzRr9o7gUFYosfglMdosba_uG57aKLPGdLUmOfu9eGiR6ss-YbaFml7tRtRf4BoUbJLBbo1XLP4pHvG3H4_jYA.S6eovrhcZKliNSto4-7xn7WW8R8y2N67AxzfselexY0&dib_tag=se&hvadid=606389393936&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9046866&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6915545947607075655&hvtargid=kwd-298980159020&hydadcr=20074_2251759&keywords=what%27s+happening+to+me&qid=1710865419&sr=8-1

@FionnulaTheCooler, I know it's wild isn't - growing up way tooooo fast 🙈 I love the supplies though, I will definitely be taking a drop this weekend to do the same I think! Has your school covered things in much detail or do you think the book is doing more? Would love to get your thoughts?

My daughter who was always the smallest girl in her class had a bit of a growth spurt last year and got her period just before her 11th birthday. She is still one of the smallest in her class. She is only one of three girls in her class with them. I've always been very open and they had also had a lady come into her class to go through everything in detail. This year is about body changes and next year is more sex stuff. They also gave out a very detailed book in school. I got her period knickers in next which she loved and a period swimsuit from modibodi which was great for school swimming. I also let her teacher know she had started her period in case she needed to go more often to the bathroom so that the teacher was aware that she wasn't just wanting to get out of class. So far no issues

My DD (now 14) started her period young at 10.5 and before most of her friends, with that came lots of the changes you mention in your post @pinkmamalama. She knew what a period was but the school hadn't taught her about other changes that come with puberty.

I felt quite bad that we hadn't talked about these things at home before her period, just I didn't start mine until around 13-14 so was surprised hers came so early. So well done to you for thinking ahead!!

After hers started we spoke about the things she could expect to happen during her teen years. I didn't use any formal resources at the time but we covered things like: body hair, body odour, basic romantic feelings (we didn't go into detail as she was really young!), period products and acne - you could start there as I feel like those are topics every teen can relate to?

As my DD has gotten older she's had some body image issues and been reluctant to talk about how puberty has changed her body. But she downloaded this app called we are luna which covers every topic you could think of to do with puberty (even mental health!!). I think it's a bit like tiktok but safe with medics creating and curating content so no false information - she uses it to ask questions she's embarrassed to ask me and I'm ok with it as I know doctors answer her back.

If we knew about it when my DD was 10.5 and starting her period I 100% would have set her up on it, she often tells me things she's learnt from it that even I didn't know. It facilitates a lot of conversation but more than anything I know she's clued up.

The most important thing is to not shy away from any of her questions, don't let her feel embarrassed about what is a normal change!! Good luck

There's a good Operation Ouch episode, presented by two doctors (the Van Tulleken twins), that covers most of this: periods, spots, mood etc. It's called Operation Ouch Specials: Don't Panic About Puberty.

Erm I chose to make sure they were prepared before anything started happening so it wasn't a shock and it all has gone smoothly now there teens

But you don't know when it's going to start and 10 is young for puberty! On your logic you'd need to have everything explained and understood before 8yrs old.

It's not earlier generally- always was earlier for some. I was 9. I'm now 62.