Parenting Daughters: Initiating Puberty Education For Girls

By Kathy Pickus

In the Judy Blume’s book, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.”, the main character experiences puberty while also sorting out her religious heritage. Many mothers have read this book with their daughters to help initiate conversations around the bodily changes that occur during puberty.

Studies show that children want to hear this information from their parents, even though it might not always appear that they are listening. What are other ways can you help educate your daughter about these transitional steps to womanhood?

With the wealth of information on the internet, it would seem easy to gather a few good websites and just pass the information to your daughter. It is best though if she has you there to help interpret and understand the information.

To make it more personable, share your own memories and experiences from this time in your life. Did you have any embarrassing moments? Where were you when you started your first period? When did you buy your first bra?

Sharing your stories will help your daughter realize that she is not alone in this experience. Asking other female members of your family to share their stories will provide a sense of family togetherness and will give your daughter an idea of “how times have changed”.

A good book on puberty can help initiate that awkward conversation

This is an awkward time for girls. She may be experiencing a growth spurt and outgrowing all her clothes, or having to deal with pimples for the very first time. Offer her positive reinforcement and assurance that this is a normal step in her growing up years and that she is always beautiful to you.

Gathering a group of friends together for a special shopping day or a trip to the drugstore to explore skin care items would be a way to remind your daughter that all her friends are experiencing the same changes.

Remember to keep the lines of communication open and start early. Being open and honest with your daughter when she is in her early years will lay the foundation for the puberty years when she will have lots of questions and concerns.

Try not to have one big talk, instead slip in nuggets of information into normal everyday conversation. And don’t wait for your daughter to initiate the conversation, she may be too embarrassed!

© Kathy Pickus co-owns Dot Girl Products, a fast growing personal care products company on a mission to make puberty for young girls a whole lot better and more joyful. Learn more about The Dot Girl First Period Kit, a fashionably packaged kit full to abundance with every item a girl will need as she experiences her first menstrual period. Sign up for the free bi-monthly Dot Girl newsletters on the Dot Girl Products homepage. Get in touch with Kathy at 877-202-2702 or office@dotgirlproducts.com

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Resources For Raising Girls:

Dishing With Your Daughter – The 7-step recipe to connect with your daughter and guide her toward healthy eating, a strong self-esteem & a positive body image. Girls and women are caught in a cycle that doesn’t allow them the freedom, nourishment and peace. You owe it to yourself – and to your daughter to learn how to feel more at ease and confident in your own body and with food; more aware of the messages she sees and hears and how she internalizes those messages.
Healthy Father-Daughter Relationships – The father is the first man a girl loves. Learn how to be the best father you can be with this easy to follow guide that covers nearly everything you need to know about communicating with your daughter, discipline and guidance, academic achievement, drugs and alcohol, dating and sexuality, blended family conflict, dealing with grief and loss, spirituality and major lessons.
Speak Teenager – Win back your son or daughter. I wrote this book from a father’s point of view and not from a psychology point of view. My book is straight and to the point in an easy to understand language. This ebook contains everything you need to know in order to make amends with your son or daughter and become their best friend.

Creating a Puberty Survival Kit for your Daughter