But She Only 8 - Atlanta,GA

Hi J., my kids are 16 and 12. You don't need a sex talk. Puberty, reproduction and sexuality should be ongoing discussions. She is getting to the age where you need to discuss puberty. Usually girls get their periods two years after other signs of puberty begin, so it's best to start with what she needs to know now and add things as you go along. This is not a one time discussion. It is important to tell her that this is not something to discuss with friends and that thesir parents will discuss with them. She would not be a bad influence, she is not influencing them to do anything, it is simply information but their parents should be the ones to do the telling. If she has asked questions, and you have not provided information, you are not doing the right thing. Answer her questions and provide information based on what she needs to know for her age and keep adding to it as time goes by. If you do not give her this information, she'll find it elsewhere, it may not all be correct and she will not come to you about these issues.

I have been talking with my kids about sex for a long time...age appropriate talk...where babies come from, etc.

You need to start talking with her NOW...at 8 - it could be because of the processed foods (they have a ton of hormones in them) and she might freak if she has her period now....

You can give her AGE APPROPRIATE information...you can find books in the library about talking to your kids about sex, their bodies, etc. so that you don't scare the living bejesus out of them or mislead them...

GOOD LUCK!

first, yes i would talk to her. keep it age appropriate. it never hurts to be prepared in case her period starts, better for her to have some idea of what is coming so she doesn't freak out too bad. but also, how do you know she has pms and not just a growth spurt or a foul mood for some reason? tread carefully. 8 IS awful young. don't assume that's what it is necessarily.

My daughter was 8 this past school year and just turned 9. I simply asked her questions like Do you think any boys are cute? and so on. My daughter told me about kids having boyfriends. I didn't flip out I just asked, what do boyfriends and girlfriends do? So instead of a lecture or interrogation we just had girl talk. That way my kid felt comfortable sharing and I got a better idea of how much she knows about sex so I don't get too graphic.

American Girl has a really good book called the care and keeping of you. I sat my girls down 7 & 9 and had a puberty talk with them and also gave them the book for them to use as needed. The SEX talk will come later but I'm sure soon since we have the door open to many questions now.

I also suggest the American Girl's Care and Keeping of You. Talking about growing up should start before it's "needed" (the day to discuss menstruation is not the day it starts) and that book talks about all sorts of healthy things. My SD got it when she was 9. "The Talk" should be a series of talks over time. I would not worry about your daughter's friends. You might say that this is something that parents should discuss with their kids but don't let her friends or their parents stop you from providing information to your child. Eight is like mini puberty. It's a tough year.

I think they all start getting attitude at 8. If that's all she's doing i don't think it's puberty. But you do need to have the puberty talk with her before it does actually start.
Are there other signs of puberty like breast buds?

I think it's time to have the sex talk with her especially since she's asking questions. It's better to hear it from you than from anyone else. There are some girls who start their periods at 9 years of age, so they PMS around 8. I've heard that there are many good books out there on how to explain sex to your child. Maybe someone on this site can recommend a good book on this.

Well im up and down about this. i look on the internet about this about 2 months ago. My daughter is starting to touch herself and she is 5. but way too young for a conversation. I feel. The internet say around age 10-12. But I feel it should be a little younger. Some boy are sexual younger than jr. high school belive it or not. My husband was. Girls start there periods ealier I was nine. Because I started earlier I started memopause earlier also. I think the conversation should start in elementary. Im thinking depending on the child. My son is 8 but mentally he is not ready. he is more on the younger side. But girls are more advance. I think it should be fine. Most people say 7th grade becaus e they talk about sex ed then. I think it should be younger. But, you don't want them to be grossed out by talking to early about it.

Once she starts her period, it is important to inform her of how her body works and why. Just tell her that she is starting early and that some of her friends may not start until later.