8 Year Old Developing

Hello A.,

I don't think I'm ready for when my 6 year old starts "developing." if you have concerns, do talk w/ your pediatrician. other things you can do. make sure that if she drinks milk it's organic milk (less hormones), same w/ chicken and beef and cheese, and the yogurt! Oh my, I have to think about that too! Try not to overdo the soy (because of phyto-estrogen qualities). now, about her attitude, could she be sensitive to anything she's eating. at this age they're getting more assertive too. personally, I can't have milk because it really puts me on a PMS overdrive mood (even organic milk will have the cow's regular hormones). lots of prayers and google 8-year old behavior (and check the 9 & 10 year olds too because she may be "ahead" for her age. ~C.~

Hello!
here is a book about estrogen hormone overload in American culture by Dr. Lee, MD, that greatly aided me!
Dairy products , plastics, hormone meat can cause estrogen overload in our bodies and effect out bodies!
Going to be by 10:00 is a major issue. Going to bed late affects hormones! Fish oil is helpful ,except before surgery.
Daily vitamins can help! Getting plenty of rest, exercise, water, cutting down on sweets can also help!
Soy in protein drinks and bars sometimes have too much estrogen!
Walmart has some chocolate calcium chews that work well for some. You body needs calcium for many functions!
Dr. Dobson has some good books on teens growing up at focus on the family website !
Talking to your children helps!
Blesssings!
You should like a great , caring Mom! Keep up the good work!
SIncerely,
C. N.

I am currently going though this with my step-daughter who is 9 and 1/2. She is with me right now for summer vacation. She has strong body oder now and is also very moody. She complains of headaches and is always tired. Her face has started to brake out and now she is complaining of a "tingly" feeling in her pelvic area. My mother in law started her period when she was 8, I was 10, and her mother was 10; so I guess it is time for her body to change. Her mother and my mother-in law live 5 hours away. My mother died when I was 15 and was in the hospital when I was 9. When my period came I was home with my dad and thought I was dying. I have no one to walk me through this so today we have a doctors appointment. After searching on the internet I see this is common but a little advise is always helpful. You might want to do the same.

Best of luck to you and your daughter.

They used to say that there was a weight signal of around 106 pounds. I was in the eighth grade and weighed only 86 pounds when I started my period. The doctor told me that chubby girls develop sooner. Both my sisters were about 9 or 10 and chubby when they started to develop. I have five daughters and have been down this road many times now... with one to go, the youngest who is 11, but slender. If any signs of development are coming, then the period is not far behind. Take the time to share with her NOW, you don't want to have to explain what happened when she starts without any preparation. I still remember when my mother told me, she also mentioned that her mother didn't tell her anything and she thought she was bleeding to death and was so very frightened.
Tell her now.

I first got breast buds in the later part of 3rd grade, so I was her same age. My mother did not talk to me about it at all. When I was 10 I finally got up the courage to ask her if I could get a bra. I started my menses the following month. I was at school- elementary school- so I had to use tissue until I got home. I was totally unprepared. When I got home, I rinsed out my panties and then rode my bike over to my friend's house. I was able to talk to her 16 year old sister and started to feel a little better.

My mom beat me home, and when I got home she asked me why my panties were in the sink. I was so embarassed. When I told her she asked if I had any questions, but I was way too uncomfortable to ask her anything. To this day she has never talked to me about my body or sex.

Please don't do this to your daughter. Talk to her now while you are still "Mommy."

My daughter was 7 when she came into my bedroom one morning and said "Mommy, why do I have hair here?". Freaked me out! I took her to the doctor who said she was just going to be one of the early ones and that she would probably start within a year and that I needed to explain to her what was happening so she would be prepared. Thankfully, it was two years, but she was ready. So, have "the talk" with her soon. And, as a breast cancer survivor, I think the advice about limiting the various estrogen sources is very good advice indeed. I wish I had known about those things when my DD was little.
C.

I was 10 or 11 when I started having periods (5th grade), but I started wearing a training bra a year or two before that (God blessed me with a large chest, so I consider myself lucky). But, if it concerns you, talk to her pediatrician about it just to make sure there's nothing chemically wrong with her. You might also give her a little extra praise/hugs. If she's among the first in her class to develop, it may be very awkward for her (if you notice, most like she also notices and so will her friends/classmates soon too).