a little
for parents
be prepared for puberty
For a lot of adults, thoughts of puberty bring back nothing but memories of awkwardness and insecurity. Most
of us want our children to have a better experience than we had, and that means our children need two things
in particular: a better understanding of what to expect before it happens, and a go-to adult (preferably a
parent) that will answer questions honestly and without shame or embarrassment. Here’s what to expect!
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Puberty usually begins with growth of her feet and hands (but that is hard to notice!)
Breast buds are next for most girls. One side usually buds first. It shows up as a hard, tender knot under the
areola. The other breast will bud within a few months. This can begin as early as age 6 or as late as age 12.
Vaginal discharge will begin shortly after breasts bud. The discharge can irritate the sensitive skin on the vulva.
As hair grows in, it pulls the discharge away from the skin and the irritation goes away. Until then, a mini-pad or a
diaper rash cream can be helpful. Make sure she knows it is normal to have vaginal discharge.
Body odor kicks in around this time. It becomes important to bathe every day with soap and to use deodorant.
Pubic hair follows for most girls in her armpits and on the mons (pubic area). Sometimes the hair grows before her
breasts develop-that’s normal, too. Pubic hair starts as a few straight, dark hairs, then it begins to curl and fill in.
Once she’s sprouting pubic hair, she will likely have oily skin, blackheads or acne. Gentle face soap and over the
counter acne treatments, if used daily, work for most girls.
She’s been growing taller, but suddenly, there’s a very rapid growth spurt, sometimes 2-3 inches in a matter of
months.
About 6 months after her fastest growth spurt, she will start her period. Most girls have visions of menstruation
that are entirely wrong. Make sure you share your first period story with her, and explain what she can expect. She
wants to know how much it will be, how long it will last, what color it is, if it hurts, and how to manage it. Again,
reassurance goes a long way to reducing anxiety.
Once the period begins, her feet should be finished growing, but she will continue to grow in her trunk, and there
may still be some lengthening in her legs. Her growth slows down a lot after her period starts, but most girls will
continue to grow at least 1-2 inches over the next few years.
Help her understand and accept that her growth will occur both up and out, and that getting new curves is normal
and expected.
For most girls, breasts are not finished developing (shape more than size) until around age 17 or 18.
Through all of this, her brain is changing, too! Changes in thinking, attitudes, behaviors, interests, and moods
are not just because of hormones, but also because of new cells, pathways and “hardwiring” going on in her brain
from around 11 until her late teens.
Supported by a grant from the
South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
www. girlology .com