Books about periods.

[kazzareee]

My daughter has just turned 9 and the time has come to start to prepare her for periods. Can anyone recommend any books that can help on the subject. My girlie is a sensitive little soul, naiive and very sensible. I don't want to frighten her, but I feel she should be aware that her body will soon be changing. My mum never broached the subject with me, she just let school deal with it, but I don't want it to be like this with me and my girls. She may be a few years away from starting as she is very slightly built and I know that weight has an influence on when periods start, but there again, I don't want her to have a nasty surprise! I'm obviously not just going to give her the book to read, but it would help if we could share one together and talk about it in a way she will understand.

Thanks a lot.

[lissyl78]

Hi Kaz, Sorry that I don't know the names of any educational type books but just wanted to recommend Judy Blume books, especially 'Are you there God, it's me Margaret' for any young girl about to embark on changes. It's written from the girl's perspective and covers most things but in an understanding and sensitive way.

Sorry can't be more help and good luck. At least you've experienced it yourself - I had to teach my little boy how to pee standing up!

Lissy x

[ceebee007]

My neighbour was just talking to me about that the other day.  Her daughter is 9 and a half and she has bought her an Usbourne book (not sure of the exact title but will find out for you unless anyone else beats me to it!).  What she liked about that particular book was that it didn't go into too much detail about other things which some other books did but satisfactorily addressed the issues of periods starting.

[Mistopheles]

The Judy Blume books that lissy suggested are very good at making children feel normal. I can't recommend any others (although your friendly local bookshop probably can), but I just wanted to say that it's great you are approaching this now. I started at 11, but I had a friend who started the year before and was convinced she was dying as no one had told her what it was.

[nfn]

The family planning nurse in your GP surgery will probably have lots of ideas for the mechanics of things. If you go through things together, you explaining how she may feel etc it may help you both. I was never told anything and the day I started (first day in second year at Senior school) I spent the whole day wet through. Went home, put my clothes into the bath to soak and never said a word. It was a couple of hours later that my dad found the clothes and sent mum to have a word. She was very good and explained what she could but I had lots of questions she couldn't answer - like where does the spare blood come from? Good luck

[BossyBoots]

God, you must be joking?  My daughter will be 8 next month.  Please don't tell me that I am going to have to deal with this this side of 10 years old. 

When I was 9 I remember being on my bike pretending I was in Chips. 

[chompu]

 Hello Kaz, In our locality the girls have a talk on this in their primary schools when they are 10.The talk is given by the school nurse. There is a booklet which I think is given to them at the same time. In fact there are 3 booklets, 'Changes for girls','Changes for boys' and 'Changes for parents'. They are very good. If things are similar in your area you may be able to get them from your local health clinic.

[thikasabrik]

I asked the school nurse for suggested reading material and she gave me two excellent booklets. It was a year or so ago so I can't remember what they were called. My daughter has just finished year 5 at school and the week before she finished all the girls in her year were given 'the talk'. Mums were invited so I went along and was horrified to find that the girls had to watch an ancient video featuring a sanitary belt and Dr Whites. I'd definitely deal with it yourself rather than rely on school. (When I did eventually have the chat with my daughter she asked exactly how babies were made so I told her. I can remember the look of horror on her face as she said to me "So you've done that twice?" Hmmm!)

[jasmine26_97]

Well, I have no books. But, wanted to respond to Bossy Boots, with any luck you won't have to deal with it till after 10,but,I know I got mine at 10,with no information from my mom. I remember freaking out in the washroom at home, being scared out of my mind. I will definitely be informing my 7 yr old step-daughter when the proper time comes. I figure, once they start asking the questions, its time to start the educating. And thikasabrik,that was cute...I can hear you know, "Yes, only twice!" with a smile on your face:) Too funny.

[kazzareee]

Many thanks to everyone who kindly posted answers. I was a bit like BossyBoots and was leaping around on my spacehopper at 9, 10 and partway through 11 until 'the curse' struck me down, and I hope my girly has a couple of years ahead of her yet, but my friend started just before her 10th birthday and it's this that has got me thinking!

My daughter suffers from nosebleeds a lot, so hopefully she'll understand that if something is bleeding, it's not necessary life-threatening!!

I will pop into my health centre though and see if they have any booklets/leaflets to offer advice.

Ta ta for now   :)