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First things first, my daughter is 10 years old, and I am in absolute denial. I have a severe case of wanting her to be 6 years old again, and it didn’t become evident until we went Halloween costume shopping last year.
As we walked into the store, her eyes were drawn to costumes where the girls were young and standing with one hand on their hip and looking mature. I had to put my foot down on some of her choices and was quite flabbergasted by what people consider okay for a child to wear. I tried hard for her to turn her attention towards the cute costumes that were much too young for her. A Mother behind me with much older kids was watching me and when we made eye contact she said, “Oh boy, you are in serious denial.” She was right, but I am happy to say that my daughter and I compromised, and I was quite okay with the final costume: age appropriate but not adult looking. I never forgot what that Mom said and continued to think about it for a while.
At my daughter’s 10-year Wellness visit the Pediatrician asked me if I had, had the talk with her about her changing body and getting her period. I was floored and admitted right away that I hadn’t done that yet. She told me that girls are developing earlier and recommended a book that discussed puberty and did it well. She couldn’t remember the name but said it’s by American Girl. That evening I got to searching for it on Amazon and ordered it.
When I got the book, The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition, I loved it. I decided that three times a week, I would read a chapter with her before bedtime, and that way she could ask questions.
The book not only discusses the changes that the entire body goes through during puberty but also educates them about how and why you should take care during these trying times.
I can’t believe I am admitting this, but even I learned some things along the way.
So, does that mean that I am no longer in denial? No way, but hopefully the book and my own daughter, will help me accept it with time.
Acting Out Mama!
Isabel Natera 