We are NOT ready for this!

Momepro

My 7 year old daughter just showed me her hairy pits (and stuff!)
How do you explain puberty to a SEVEN year old? Sure, I'm very open, and explain things as she asks, but there is no way she is mentally or emotionally ready to deal with what's coming. She wasn't supposed to deal with this for at least another couple of years. Not even just the sexual part (even though that's a HUGE part of it) but obesity hits my family hard at onset of puberty, and this poor kid already has a hard time keeping up with her oily skin and hair! She doesn't need this crap right now

Vikka_V

wow. Seven...I don't have children...sorry I can't give you any informed advice, only my empathy.
Is it true that children are maturing earlier? And why?

Maybe my opinion can help because it is unbiased, I don't have a kid that I have had anticipation or expectations for.

If I had a child I think I would just lay it out there..straight forward..."this is how it is" type of thing. Matter of fact.

Seven years old...whatever you talk to them about at that age at least they are probably pretty cool with listening to you rather than a teen or pre-teen.

rheddmobile

Early menarche is becoming more and more common - no one seems to know quite why, although various scientists have advanced various theories. Back in the 70s, at ten years old I was the earliest person in my group of friends by several years, now eight is not uncommon. I know that trying to deal with periods at ten years old was just awful and can't imagine doing it as a second grader. Just make sure you're had that talk with her so she is not surprised, because that's probably coming in a few months.

VeronicaA76

As the mother of a 15 yr old girl. Here's what I did.
1. Explain the hair thing. That's actually pretty easy. I showed my daughter my armpit hair (I didn't shave for a few days so she could see it) and explained how it's normal. Also explain that she will be getting hair on her vaginal region.
2. Once she understands the hair, do the next step and explain that her hips will widen, waist will narrow and she's start to develop breasts. I found that explaining in a purely scientific manner helped a lot.
3. Explain what menstration is and why it happens.

You don't have to explain everything at once, just talk to her and be honest about what is going to happen with her body. Try to do it in the order that puberty develops.

My mother never explained ANYTHING to me, first time I used a pad, I put the sticky side on me, because I didn't know. I didn't know what or how to use a tampon until I was 20...yeah, not okay. I also remember that I broke down in school and went into a full blown panic the first time I had my period. I didn't know what it was, I honestly thought I was dying. No kid should have to go through that kind of emotional havoc.

Let her ask questions, and be calm about them. Last thing you want to do is freak her out by getting weirded out yourself. Best of luck!

Ironandwine69

OutOfUserName wrote: »

wow at 7? my 13 year son doesnt even have it yet. but he does have a peach fuzz on his lips and pubic hair just no armpit hair

You're like 35 and still don't

Ironandwine69

OP, sorry, I don't have an advice but damn 7 is young.

Lift_Run_Eat

Wow, sorry. 7 is really young.
My daughter didn't start her period until she was 15 (2 months ago actually). We were at the doctor's office and she was about to give a urine sample then blood work to try and figure out why she hadn't started when she actually did start. She started with the oily hair about 11 and boobs and hair growth on her body about 13.
I also have a 12 year old son who at this same time is going through puberty. No underarm hair yet, and I am NOT asking about anywhere else...I don't want to know. His hair is super oily and his voice is cracking. And the emotions/moods/attitude!!!
(Yup, my house is fun right now)

Just talk to her. Yes, she is earlier than most, but she needs to know about the changes physically and emotionally that she is going to have. Some schools will talk about it, but usually not until at least 4th or 5th grade. Most of all, she is going to need to know that she is ok and it is all perfectly normal!!!

Lounmoun

I found books helpful. I read through them with my dd but then they were available for her to look at on her own.
The American Girl Care and Keeping of You Body book
It's So Amazing: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families by Robie H. Harris (there are books for younger and older kids but this is what I got when my dd was about 8)

On the internet
http://m.kidshealth.org/en/kids/grow/

It will not be just one conversation.
Start talking before your child gets too embarrassed.

My dd started her period at age 12 but started getting hair, oily skin and stuff several years before.
I remember the school doing the period talk when I was a kid around age 8 and a few of my friends were wearing bras and starting their periods around age 10 (1980's). I got my period at age 12 just like my dd.
Puberty is a process that doesn't start or end with the period.

Unknown

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kschwab0203

WOW! 7 is young!

I have 2 daughters, they are 14 and 11. I think the the pit hair and "stuff" showed up a couple of years ago. Don't remember exactly, but it wan't a big deal. They both started their period at age 11 which is the same age I was when I started mine.

I spoke to my oldest daughter about getting her period when she was about 9. I don't remember exactly what I told her, but I can tell you that I didn't really go too far into the whole sex aspect of it. She was a little freaked out at first but at least she wasn't totally oblivious when it happened. My mom didn't really talk to me. She gave me a book to read and then asked which if I had any questions...which I did NOT.

I didn't even have to talk to my youngest daughter. She shares a room with her older sister so she just kind of knew from seeing her sister go through it. Plus, they are very close so I'm sure they've spoken about it. I do make myself available to them anytime they have questions or want to talk though.

I would mention it to her doctor though. Just in case they want to explore things a little further.

Good Luck!

SomebodyWakeUpHIcks

Umm, this is very uncomfortable reading

Momepro wrote: »

My 7 year old daughter just showed me her hairy pits (and stuff!)
How do you explain puberty to a SEVEN year old? Sure, I'm very open, and explain things as she asks, but there is no way she is mentally or emotionally ready to deal with what's coming. She wasn't supposed to deal with this for at least another couple of years. Not even just the sexual part (even though that's a HUGE part of it) but obesity hits my family hard at onset of puberty, and this poor kid already has a hard time keeping up with her oily skin and hair! She doesn't need this crap right now

Umm, yeah, uh.

Just_Mel_

abetterme9366 wrote: »

This was a good start for my girls.

Ditto on this one for my oldest who is now 13. She started reading it early and has been fully prepared for everything as it has come. Younger sis, age 9 has already witnessed all the changes and she is prepared as well.

JeepHair77

abetterme9366 wrote: »

This was a good start for my girls.

I ditto this book. My daughter and I talk, but she's much more comfortable reading this in private, and then she and I can discuss anything she wants to afterward. It deals with body changes in a matter-of-fact way, and gives girls practical information about how to deal with it. I think I bought it for her when she was 8 or 9, and I think a 7-year-old can deal with the information. Maybe read a few chapters with her so you open the door to talk more or answer questions.

My 12-year-old still gets that book out from time to time to re-read certain chapters.

7 is young, but it's not shockingly young - is it just me? I started noticing things happening to me probably around 8 or 9, and I started my period at 12, which is somewhere close to average, I think. So a year or two in either direction doesn't boggle my mind.

Momepro

Well, she has an appointment with her Endocrinologist on Weds, to decide if it is better to slow it down with meds or let it proceed. Both have definite pros and cons, so we are trying to figure out the least issue, long term. We did know she has overactive adrenal glands and hypothyroid, so it was something we knew was possible. We were just hoping she would be a little further along first. Fortunately, we do have a good relationship, and the science part at least has some foundation, because she is very curious, and I'm pretty earthy and not squeamish. It's more the mental and sexual part I'm concerned about.
I've seen the book when I was working at Target, and it looked like a good one, so I'm going to go and pick it up today, and we will look through it together.
Thanks everyone gor the encouragement

MsArriabella

My niece is 8 and has been going through this for about 6 months or so now. I'll definitely have her mom pick up the book suggested above!