Hi Moms!
My 7-year-old is like a learning sponge. She loves to learn. Right now she's obsessed with natural disasters. I find that the more she knows, the less anxious she is about something (I'm the same way). As such, I have been discussing natural disasters with her so that she knows what to do in the event, what natural disasters affect our area, etc. Adversely, she is no longer afraid of volcanos because, well, this is North Texas. ha!
Naturally, I was thinking... I should be prepping for the inevitable. My daughter is a growing young lady. She has girl parts, she will inevitably have a period, have sexual urges, etc. With girls developing younger and younger, and with such a vast age range of when girls go through these things (I started puberty at age 9), I want to start prepping her bright little brain now (age appropriately, of course, because too much info can be just as damaging... a line I have to walk constantly...)
So this is my question- do you Moms know of any age-appropriate books that I can buy my daughter to teach her about her anatomy? I feel that at this age, she should know more about what her body does and what it is made of. Also, what do you think is appropriate for a 7-year-old to know? Because I leave the door open when I use the bathroom, she knows about periods. She's asked me about it before. She knows some day she will get one. She knows its her body telling her that she can have a baby when she is ready. She doesn't know much more than that. Help Moms! I definitely don't want my smart little girl to be anxious, so I want to give her enough info to be prepared but not so much that it sparks other, age-inappropriate, questions.
Thanks!
unless she is really pressing the issue I dont think she needs any more information at 7 years old. The time will come soon enough dont rush it
From the beginning with our now 16 yr old we were very open and honest about everything and communication is key.
It is good that you are communicating with your daughter. Keep that up, answer her questions. It is vital to keep the door open so she will feel comfortable enough to still come to you as she gets older.
American Girl has a book called the Care and Keeping of You. I don't know how age appropriate that would be for a 7 yr old but it does state facts and tries to take the pressure of the unknown away for girls.
Kudos to you for communicating and supporting her in learning more. So many parents just sweep it under the rug because they are embarrassed, etc and the body is nothing to be embarrassed about. Plus, wouldn't your daughter hear the truth from you or learn all about her body instead of hearsay from kids at school.
Cf
I agree--go with American Girl The Care and Keeping of You! Wonderful book!
Good question. I have a 7-year old girl too and have thought about this a bit also. I have not great ideas, but I hear the American Girl books are good - I think there is one called something like "The Care and Feeding of You." Not so much about anatomy as body and emotional changes. I will look forward to reading the answers.
The "American Girl "Book series.
ie: "The Care and Keeping Of You"
They have many good books for girls and it is easy to read and not graphic and is meant to be read by them or with Mommy.
Look it up online and you can also see the reviews of it and all of their other book titles. For example, at Amazon or Barnes and Noble etc.
I have these already for my daughter, who is 8.
Yep - the American Girl Doll book is awesome.
Also, no matter what you decide to do - KUDOS to you for opening the door to this topic now and letting your child know that asking you questions about her body and sex are a normal and natural part of growing up. Kudos for not attaching shame or guilt to this topic. In doing so, your daughter will learn that she can come to you with her questions whenever she needs to, and not be embarrassed or shamed or guilted into thinking that sex is a bad and dirty thing. Children who have open communication with their parents regarding sex are the ones who tend to remain abstinent for longer periods of time than those who do not have open communication or whose parents use religion to guilt or shame their children into thinking it is bad and taboo.
(and when I say 'sex', I mean the generic topic of sex/puberty, etc. I don't mean *just* intercourse)
Get the book. Read it for yourself first and decide if you think it is appropriate. Then, give it to her as a "I thought you might be interested in this. It's yours to keep. If you have any questions or want to come talk about it, my door is open."
Awesome job, mom!
A good site as she gets older is www.seicus.org. The sexuality education council of the United States is a great place for medically accurate, fact-based information regarding sexuality education.
The American Girl Doll Book... Discovering your body or something like that... my daughter is 7 and half.
She is 4'8", wears a 6 women shoe, has to wear deodorant, has hair down there for almost 2 years! has to wear a training bra etc...and just in second grade and she is not overweight at all.
I started my periord in 4th grade (first week) and knew nothing of it as my mom didnt tell me so i sat down and explained everything in kid terms (she told me that she didn't want to wear a diaper ! ) lol.... i found the book and love it!!! CVS has it, amazon, barnes and nobel, etc...
