Is your daughter prepared for puberty? Here is how to help

Simply put, puberty the natural process of transforming a child into an adult for the sake of reproduction. While both girls and boys go through this biological phenomenon, girls hit puberty and reach sexual maturity earlier than their male counterparts. The body goes through a lot of changes during this phase and can be quite stressful for your daughter.  

EXPLAINED: PUBERTY IN GIRLS
Nature prepares a girl’s body for reproduction from a certain age. The biological processes involved in this can be termed as puberty. The initial changes triggered by puberty are not visible. Some of them include hormonal changes and alteration of ovaries caused by the secretion of sex hormones. Though there is hardly any physical manifestation of these changes, some symptoms cold include increased body odour, vaginal discharge and a cranky mood. Generally, the first visible sign of puberty is the development of breast buds, followed by the growth of pubic hair (around 8 years of age) and the beginning of menstrual cycle, about two years after the breast buds appear.  

WHAT MAKES PUBERTY A TOUGH TIME FOR GIRLS? 
With so many physical changes occurring all at once, it is but natural for tweens and teens to experience stress and confusion. However, the sense of distress increases when they are not prepared for this transformation of the body. The findings of a survey published in the Journal of Adolescent Health suggest that an unexpectedly large number of girls aren’t sufficiently prepared for menstruation and other changes taking place in the body. Lack of prior knowledge about puberty leaves many embarrassed and even scared, increasing the chance of depression, frustration and risky sexual behaviour during this crucial phase of development. The situation becomes even more challenging when puberty hits earlier than it should and girls look older than their age. 

TALKING ABOUT PHYSICAL CHANGES 
Early puberty education is a must to help your daughter breeze through the natural bodily changes that she experiences during this crucial period of development. As a parent, it is your duty to start a healthy conversation with her about this transformation much before it starts. Here are some useful tips to help you guide your daughter through puberty. 

Broach the topic early on 
A girl should be taught about this natural biological phenomenon as early as 8 years of age. She should know that her body is going to experience quite a few changes soon as part of development. Keep the conversation short but make sure your daughter is able to comprehend what you say. Also, you need to let her know that the rate of development varies from person to person. So, she doesn’t need to worry if her friends grow faster or slower than her. 

Talk about menstruation 
This discussion should take place before your daughter gets her first period. If she is unaware of menstrual cycle, then the first sight of blood and its location may be a scary experience for her. While most girls get their first period between 12 and 13 years of age, some may experience it as early as 9 or as late as 16 years. So, it’s good to prepare your daughter for her menstrual cycle beforehand. While discussing about period, let her know that the flow of blood may be inconsistent and can be accompanied by cramps and mood swings. Reassure your little one that all of it is normal and there is nothing to be afraid of.  

Introduce her with the necessary supplies  
This is a crucial aspect of puberty education. Your daughter should be well-stocked with sanitary napkins much before he period starts. Discuss with her about how to use them while letting her know that she needs to change her pads frequently through the day. If you think that your daughter is getting close to her first period, make sure that she has a napkin in her backpack. Also, talk to her about the necessity of a bra, the right size and shape while discussing puberty.  It will be a good idea to go shopping for it together.  

Be patient with your daughter 
Your little one is likely to have many questions as she experiences puberty. As a parent, it’s important for you to listen to her patiently and address her concerns. If you do not have answer to all her queries, research them together or talk to a doctor.