What's happening to my body?

When I was that age my dad was a single father and bought me a set of books called "The Life Cycle Library". It was a set of 4 books that explained everything both to girls and to boys. My son is now 10 and of course I had the same issues. Amazingly enough I was talking to a friend of mine about these books I'd had and less than a week later she comes to me with the same set (although updated greatly!). She'd stumbled across them at our local recycling depot!

I didn't tell my daughter yet but she is only 6. I have never heard of that book- LOL. But it has a nice title. I remember my mom gave me the book- "Are you there God it's me Margaret?" by Beverly Cleary. The period book she called it. It's a classic anyway. I still have it so I guess I will talk to my daughter and pass that one down.

I have two boys. But when I was younger, my mother got me a book that told me what to expect. It was quite helpful. When it was my sister's turn, I talked to her (and a good thing at that...she got it quite early). I think a book is great to open up first. She can then come to you with her queries.

Having only had boys Bella, I can't imagine what joy it would be to explain to a young girl the exciting changes her body is going to undergo. My mother was the type to not say a word and just let us figure it all out on our own, and things came as a surprise and an embarrassment. We have always been open and up front with the boys. my 13 year old now is going through that voice change that is so comical. he has two voices and you never know which one is going to speak when he opens his mouth to talk.

To be honest sweetheart what works with one family won't always be what is right for others! I didn't use books with my son - I just sat with him and explained the changes that were going to probably happen to him and his body and how it is perfectly normal and he shouldn't be embarassed! I have always been honest with my kids if they come to me with questions - my daughter knows the basics of changes that happen to girls even though she is only 6! I think the key thing is what works for you and that you don't show any embarrassment- even if you feel it! lol xxx

I don't have any kids so I'll tell about my mother telling me all about that sort of stuff. When she tried to explain these things to me, I wanted to hide under the rug because it was so embarrassing as hell!! I didn't get the full understanding of it till one day a few boys wanted to show me. I learned the hard way. Don't worry hon, I'm ok with it now and can talk about it but not for quite a long time after it happened. I know it wasn't my fault and that I'm a "good" person. So do me a favor and smile!!

I have a daughter and she figured it out on her own. I know the school already teaches them this kind of things so I was not worried about her. I also grew up knowing it on my own as well.

We had pdr in school which taught us about this stuff.. i dont remember what grade. And although i was only 11, i seemed to be the last one in my class in whatever grade i was in to get my period. and it was pretty scary even though i WAS informed. I think you should have the talk with her for sure, and if the book helps, give er! ;) I wish my mom would have talked to me. . I woke up one night with really bad back pains and woke her up. . then a few hours later i woke up again with blood!! when i told her in the morning she said.. oh i thought that's what may be happening. LOL well why didn't you tell me mother!!?? Then i could have been prepared!! I had no idea what to do!

I remember my mum telling my sister what would happen.. but she never did tell me. So i ran to my big sister. And she just told me i was growing up. And that i'd be bleeding from now on. Wasn't pleasant... a 14 year old telling me about periods :(

i didn't use any book with my daughter.i try to explain it to my daughter and she thought it was funny. which was not easy.wanted her to know,so she didn't find out the hard way like i did.belive me it was the hards thing i had to do

I had a book called 'Have You Started Yet?' I found it useful as it gave me much more information than I needed to know and answered questions that I didn't want to ask my Mum. It periods sound like a really good thing but because my Mum was always complaining about them I was still very frightened about starting. I was worried about it hurting and I also didn't want to be a grown up - I liked being a child. One other thing I hated was when my Mum told everyone that I wa snow a 'young lady'. I felt really embarrassed and really wished no one knew. So perhaps that is something you should discuss with her - whether she wants people to know.

I'm not a parent, but I recommend getting that book for your daughter. My mother bought a copy for me when I was around 9 years old. She didn't quite know how to bring up the subject to me herself (her own mom didn't explain anything to her, so her first period was really scary for her). So she gave me the book, and let me know if I had any questions I could always come to her. That book helped me understand what was happening/going to happen to me, and it answered pretty much anything I'd be too embarrassed to ask my mom about. But It helped spark some discussion, too. It's a good book. It focuses more on physical and emotional changes than sexuality or reproduction (though those are covered well too). It's written in an age-appropriate way, and includes lots of answers to questions to the author from real girls going through puberty.