At what age do you think is appropriate to tell children about reproduction, physical changes, birthing etc?
My daughter is 7 but has given me quite a few curly questions lately, and I have answered her truthfully when she asks. The latest question was about sanitary products and I answered this too explaining what happens if a baby doesn't grow etc. She seemed fairly comfortable with the info and that she needed to be discrete with the info as others (like her brother) are not ready to hear about it yet.
I don't think I have necessarily given her too much info but my DH does. I have a couple of books on growing up and childbirth aimed at her age group - question is do I give her the info because she is asking for that stuff too???
Honestly I don't think 7 is too young to explain the hows and whys of sanitary products to girls. In the last week one of the pediatricians I work for had to explain just this to a hysterical 8 year old girl (and equally hysterical mom) that girls can develop that young. As much as HIPAA would like to protect them, it only can do so much when they are crying and carrying on so loud they can be heard through closed doors in the clinic and across the building...
Honestly I don't think 7 is too young to explain the hows and whys of sanitary products to girls. In the last week one of the pediatricians I work for had to explain just this to a hysterical 8 year old girl (and equally hysterical mom) that girls can develop that young. As much as HIPAA would like to protect them, it only can do so much when they are crying and carrying on so loud they can be heard through closed doors in the clinic and across the building...
I totally agree. I've known of girls that started menses as early as 8yrs old. How devastating it would be to not have that discussion or know it could happen and then suddenly you think there is something wrong?!
I heard a couple years back about a girl in Mexico (???) that gave birth. Its a sad sad world but I think we need to realize the younger kids know these things the better.
i totally agree. i've known of girls that started menses as early as 8yrs old. how devastating it would be to not have that discussion or know it could happen and then suddenly you think there is something wrong?!
i heard a couple years back about a girl in mexico (???) that gave birth. its a sad sad world but i think we need to realize the younger kids know these things the better.
totally agree-my dh teaches in a school that services many minorities, and he had several chubby african-american girls who had periods already in the second grade (age 7-8) these poor little girls--glad i was a very late bloomer!!
totally agree-my dh teaches in a school that services many minorities, and he had several chubby african-american girls who had periods already in the second grade (age 7-8) these poor little girls--glad i was a very late bloomer!!
its kind of ot but i read somewhere that girls are 'blooming' earlier d/t the hormones used in milk, cattle etc.
Honestly I don't think 7 is too young to explain the hows and whys of sanitary products to girls. In the last week one of the pediatricians I work for had to explain just this to a hysterical 8 year old girl (and equally hysterical mom) that girls can develop that young. As much as HIPAA would like to protect them, it only can do so much when they are crying and carrying on so loud they can be heard through closed doors in the clinic and across the building...
Eeek, hopefully that wont be the case here. If my daughter follows family genetics she will hopefully start about 11 or 12 (later if she is lucky).
Cienna2000
25 Posts
Honestly I don't think 7 is too young to explain the hows and whys of sanitary products to girls. In the last week one of the pediatricians I work for had to explain just this to a hysterical 8 year old girl (and equally hysterical mom) that girls can develop that young. As much as HIPAA would like to protect them, it only can do so much when they are crying and carrying on so loud they can be heard through closed doors in the clinic and across the building...