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Parenting & Farm Kids:  Puberty  |
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Naturecraft
True Blue Farmgirl
82 Posts
Cheryl
Loveland
CO
USA
82 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 23 2008 : 08:00:03 AM
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My 9-year-old daughter asked about puberty the other day, and wanted a book to read about it. Of course, I have and will continue to talk to her and tell her about it, but she likes to read also. Any suggestions on books for her to read about puberty? I would like to find a book that has just the facts and not one of those that advertises their products.
Thanks,
Naturecraft |
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Canadian farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Lori
Ontario
Canada
482 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2008 : 10:02:35 AM
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The "what's happening to my body?" book for girls by Lynda Madaras is very good. I bought it for my daughter after borrowing it from my library. She has even used it for school, in her Gr. 9 Phys ed. health unit.
Lori |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
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Naturecraft
True Blue Farmgirl
82 Posts
Cheryl
Loveland
CO
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2008 : 11:37:07 AM
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Thanks for the ideas, I will check them out this afternoon. I think that I saw both of those books at Barnes and Noble.
Thanks,
Naturecraft |
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La Patite Ferme
True Blue Farmgirl
623 Posts
Jenn
CA
USA
623 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 10:00:07 PM
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I ditto the American Girls book. DD still has it and refers to it occasionally. I think sometimes they like it better than talking to mom. Somehow they don't see us as having gone through this phase.
The only thing I would add is to remind your girls often that every person is different and body changes happen in God's time not the books time. My DD got nervous because she wasn't developing like the other girls and she didn't start her period until the summer she finished 7th grade. Years later than the rest of the girls in her class. I think it was a reflection of her "whole food" diet and the fact that she doesn't eat a lot of junk and processed foods.
Since we're on "Girl Talk" - I just want to also suggest that moms remember these changes are a big deal for girls and try to make them special. I just went through this with a friend's daughter and it was so sad to see how she acted like buying bras for her Jr. High daughter was a major imposition. I remember when DD was starting Jr. High she was so upset being the only girl who didn't wear a bra. The fact that she didn't need one was beside the point. Her self esteem was at issue here. So one day she and I went shopping. I could have bought just plain white, but I didn't. I let her go to every store on the mall to see what they had. Then we bought them - little pink with lacey flowers, powder blue with bows, yellow with lady bugs and plain white to wear with her white uniform shirts. Afterwards we had lunch at her favorite place and talked about "girls stuff" even joking about the "big girl" bras and all the colors and styles. It was sooo cute.
This is a right of passage for our little ladies and we can either crush them or lift them up.
Just my thoughts. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 10:20:03 PM
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I had the same experience with my daughter, Jennifer...we are only NOW dealing with puberty stuff with her in 8th grade..her friends have been there done that a long time ago. I think it did help to tell her that I was 15!!! So...now we deal with all the girly stuff..after so many boys it is fun to have a girl..and my 11 year old shows no signs of being any early at all this stuff. My oldest was so frantic after the 5th grade "maturation" class (it is coming right up for daughter #2) I do think our diet is a factor...she NOW understands that it is a good thing to not get started early.
On the subject..since he now is in a house with sisters (with all the big brothers before them) my 11 1/2 year old son asked me some questions about "girl stuff". I just frankly told him what was what and he was relieved. I think he imagined much worse.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 07:23:30 AM
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There is a book called GURL Deal with it. It explains everything. I bought it for my sister, who is 13 years younger than me when she was maybe 11, since I had to endure Dad's talk. He did not have correct information. And for the neighbor girl at our old house in WA. Her mom left her and her two brothers for an internet romance, and I just couldn't imagine her super inappropriate dad being sensitive about periods. They also have a website www.gurl.com I love the tag line: A web-thing for girls. It's straightforward, smart and funny, and won't wreak havoc on your body image.
Farmgirl Sister #91
Make cupcakes not war! |
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nashbabe
True Blue Farmgirl
687 Posts
687 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 09:20:39 AM
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You mentioned diet. I'm curious as to what you do that is different from the masses. Sounds like whatever it is, it is probably a really positive thing! :-)
Crunchy crafty goodness and psychoses...;-)http://nashbabe.blogspot.com
groovy stuff 2 buy...http://www.alittlesplurge.etsy.com |
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La Patite Ferme
True Blue Farmgirl
623 Posts
Jenn
CA
USA
623 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 12:17:13 PM
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I think Nashbabe's question may be for me.
I think what we do that is different from the masses is lots of fresh fruits and veggies, limited meat, smaller lighter meals, baked vs. fried and limited processed and junk foods.
When DD was a baby I made all her baby foods from what we ate. When my friends were feeding their kids hotdogs and McD's mine was eating fish, fruit, veggies, salads, homegrown lamb, yoghurt and organic eggs from our own hens. As she got older, if she didn't want what we were eating she was allowed to have fruit, yoghurt and cottage cheese instead. I wasn't a short order cook. She didn't step foot into a McD's until 2nd grade and then spent most of the time playing. Now at 15 she can't stand fast food, would rather have a salad.
Living on a ranch early on helped a lot. DD and I would walk through the orchards eating right off the tree. I never limited the amount of fruits and veggies she ate. Some days she would go through 10 to 12 tangerines or oranges, and when the avocados were ripe she would have a whole one for each meal.
When she started school I was stunned at the number of kids that came to school - every day - with candy, soda and those pre-packaged lunchables. No fruit, not even celery and peanut butter or carrots with ranch dip. Just processed and individually packaged foods.
Somewhere I read that the hormones in meat and the preservatives and chemicals they put in packaged foods is a contributing factor to girls starting to develop early.
Now don't get me wrong - we have done our fair share of take out over the years and I make a mean chili cheese dog, but those are few and far between, the majority of the time it's fresh, simply made, home grown whole foods.
I think living in CA has helped too because we have a wide variety of fresh produce almost year-round. Right now is strawberry season - yummy .
Someone asked me once how I kept DD from eating all the junk. She was stunned when I said "I don't buy it." Chips, sodas, cookies, frozen dinners, all that stuff, was not on my weekly shopping list.
My goal was to give her a good foundation for food and eating. What she does as an adult is up to her. I can see her being a seasonal vegetarian though, especially in the spring and summer, but I don't think she'll ever give up my lamb shank . |
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Naturecraft
True Blue Farmgirl
82 Posts
Cheryl
Loveland
CO
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 6:26:24 PM
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Thanks girls, I appreciate your help on this. I want to get her a book that she will actually read and enjoy, as well as get some good information.
Naturecraft |
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Parenting & Farm Kids: Puberty |
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Puberty
