When do we tell our girls about periods?

[sstaples]

Hi all,

I have been struggling with this question for about a year now. I have a daughter that will be 10 in December. I have two aunts that started their periods at age 10. I didn't start until I was 15 but I was really underweight and that played a huge role. She is very smart so I know she would probably handle it well. I just don't know when the right time to tell her is. I would hate for her to start without knowing what was going on.
I got pregnant with my son when she was 8. She asked how babies were born, but not how I made one. She said that she knew that it took mommy and daddy and that we had sex but she didn't know what sex was and she was sure that I would tell her when she was older. Do you have to have the sex talk at the same time as the period talk? It seems like an awful lot to take in. I didn't get the sex talk until 6th grade. I found out about periods from a friend of mine when I was 8. She had a single mom who told her about it, she told me pads were for when you bleed, so I covered myself in maxi pads the next time I fell down! It kind of forced my mom to give me the talk.
My daughter has also started to develope the tiniest of nubs on her chest and she has body odor after gym class so I'm thinking it needs to come sooner than later. Ladies, what are your thoughts?

[fuzzy]

Well,I started my period at 10 and was in a training bra at the same time!My mom was the same way.I can remember it like it was yesterday(15yrs ago) I had gone to the bathroom to find that I was bleeding,well I freaked and my mom came rushing in and well we had the talk!So,I only found out at "the"time but luckily my mom was there and could handle it however if she hadn't of been I may have called"911".I guess cause of that I plan on telling my daughter (If I ever have one;I have a boy)about her periods before she starts and cause I started so young I'd probably tell her around 10.I don't think that the "sex talk" needs to come at the same time though 10 is kinda young(my opinion).I hope this can be some help!
Melissa

[autymsmommy]

Oh I wish 10 was too young, my 6 year old started asking very detailed and graphic questions about sex and periods about a month ago. I felt I had to answer her question honestly as she was getting some very um... COLORFUL explanations from the older kids at her school, for instance, did you know that abortion was when a mommy didnt want her kid so the doctor takes it out of her stomach and beats it over the head (with his stethescope) until it's dead.... and a period only happens to "fat" girls.... God, I'm loving this public school thing more and more each day <sarcasm>

[jenn_0629]

I started mine when I was 8, so my mom didn't think she'd have to tell me that early. It scared the heck out of me, I thought I was dying. I asked my sister and she explained it to me, but it would have been much better coming from my mother. I'd explain it to her and tell her that you don't know when it will happen, but it will eventually and let her know what to expect, just don't scare her like my sister did! Phew--I'm glad to be having a boy, I don't have to worry about that.

[sstaples]

Thanks for the advice ladies. It was much appreciated. I had "the talk" with her the day before yesterday. I left my son with my husband and her and I went out and bought some training bras and I told her all about puberty. She had a few questions at first, not a lot. Then she said that she wanted to know how babies were made. So I had to get into that but only a little. She knew how they were born but how it was done. She is 9 and her brother is 9 months so I knew that question would come sooner or later.
She actually wanted me to explain to her what the guys have to go through in order to have babies since we have our periods. Boy was she thinking it was a little unfair!!

[JWills]

I started mine when I was 10, and I was in a training bra around the same time (I hated that thing!). We were going to cover the "period/puberty" talks at the end of our fifth grade health class (right before school ends for the summer). However, my period didnt wait, and started before that. So I had no clue what was going on. I thought I was going to die. My mom saw it, and explained what whas happening. Out of all my friedns I was the only one who had it. I felt so weird! We were slowly introduced to the "sex" talk in 6th grade (co-ed!). I wish I had known about it sooner, but it all turned out okay in the end :)

[kfiedler]

Wow I must say I have a daughter who is 3 and this question never even popped into my head! I was lucky and didn't start mine till 8th grade! I had 2 older sisters so I knew what was going on. I am only 28 but I must say I am seeing little girls mature faster and faster,(as far as body goes) This I think is very helpful to me, so thank you everyone for making me realize what to look out for.