The talk

my daughter is 10 years old and starting to develop,I tried to have the puberty talk with her and she wanted nothing to do with that convercation. She needs to know what is going on with her body and I don't want her getting the information from her friends on the playground,but I don't feel right trying to make her talk about something she is'nt ready for. Does anyone have any advice for me. My daughter is very close to one of her aunts I think she would talk to her but my sister say's she dosn't feel right about having that talk with her . I know my sister would give the right information,but I also don't want my sister in a situation she dosn't feel comfortable with. I am at a loss.

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Let your daughter no that there is no reason to be embarrassed or ashamed of her bodies changes or any questions she might have. Let her know that she can come to anytime if she has questions, and that you will answer them the best way you can.

I bought the Care and Keeping of You by American girl and left it on her bed without saying anything. It was the most well read book for the longest time,
www.americangirlpublishing.com/advice/bodyandmind/CareAndKeepingOfYou.aspx

When my daughter started to develop, I let her come to me and ask questions. We had a close mother-daughter relationship, so she knew she could come to me and ask questions. Some people are just more private, and maybe a book on the subject would help. She can ask you questions based on what she's read. Let your daughter guide you; she'll ask you when she's ready.

You could give her a book on it to help teach her about developing but that may not answer all of her questions that she may have. I think that it still may be to early for her to under stand a book with out your help. It is best if you sit down with her regardless and tell her if she hasent allready had her period yet then she needs to know what is going to happen to her soon if you dont than she will be very scared when it does and she will probley think that there is something wrong with her . if this does not help you make you could log on to doctor laura slessingers web site go to kfi am 640

There are many good books out there. Choose something you are comfortable with and give it to your daughter. She may be more comfortable with learning in privacy. I would not have your sister approach her. Your daughter may approach your sister on her own, in which case your sister knows she has your approval to proceed. Also, the school has probably had lessons. What you were saying to her may have been repeat information. With my daughter who has started to develop at 8, I had conversations from the time she was little about various aspects of womanhood. Some things I explained in a little unique way, but she has familiarity and comfort with the subject and a lot of the words. My daughter happens to have no embarassment, but some aspects I still have not explained fully because I have not felt it necessary. She does have a book though, so if it interests her she can go further.

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