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The Right Words
Talk to Your Daughter About the Human Body
By Kelly Burgess
Even when you know the right words and know when you should say them, talking to your daughter about these changes is very uncomfortable for many parents. Know that you're not alone. Still, you want your children to get information from you, because that gives you the opportunity to also pass on your values and rules. Mallak suggests shopping, the great American pastime. Start small with a trip for those essential body care items like special soap, shampoo and deodorant. This opens the door to talk about body changes. Then later trips for bras and menstrual supplies can continue the dialogue.
Mallak and Weston also recommend books and classes. With my own daughter, we took a class when she was 11. Then I gave her a book, and it made us both comfortable enough that now, with her a 17-year-old college freshman, we still are able to discuss difficult subjects. Weston's book is one I bought for my daughter when she was about 14, but, while it's terrific for older adolescents, it's not something I'd give to a 10-year-old. Check your library or bookstore for something that you're comfortable with. Read it yourself first so you know as much as your child does. As she gets older, her books should give her more facts. An informed girl is an empowered girl.
