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DianaC
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Can anyone recommend a well-written book that I could read with my daughter to help prepare her for the body changes and hormonal changes that she will encounter soon? I've seen a few at the library, but before I choose one, I would like to get some feedback. Thank-you!
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SuzanneG
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Here are a couple past threads:
:: Books?? Girls Growing Up
:: Books on Puberty for Girls
::Girls on the Brink of Womanhood
I really like The Care and Keeping of You.
I echo Molly's thoughts almost exactly....
teachingmyown wrote:
A book we have found very helpful is the American Girl book The Care and Keeping of You. It walks them through the various changes and feelings. It teaches them how to take care of their changing bodies. I like that it doesn't go into the "birds and the bees" at all. It is focused only onwhat is going on with the girl.
I have heard some complain that it is too "graphic". It is a little shocking at first, but it is not unnecessary. The drawings are all cartoon. I would recommend looking at it first. It is certainly a "private" book, to be kept out of siblings hands.
My daughter has learned a lot from it. I know she still refers to it. |
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And, The Joyful Mysteries of Life is a good "bridge" between the nuts-and-bolts-body-changes of The Care and Keeping of You and reproductive/chastity-talk. I am reading the first few chapters with my 8 and 9.5 yo right now....it also flows in with my pregnancy, new baby/life, etc.
And, Dianna....I'm going to move this to the MOTHERING FORUM, just to keep these topics under one umbrella.
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teachingmyown
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Well, this is a really good time for me to reiterate what I said, and Suzanne quoted, about The Care and Keeping of You. My second daughter just got her period for the first time last week and the book was a tremendous help and comfort for her! We are very bookish people here and she was able to consult the book, even before me, and feel confident and mature in handling it herself. She came to me for confirmation and had some questions for big sister, but I could really see how the book had made it seem so normal and manageable. I first gave her the book when she started showing signs of maturing, about two years ago. My older daughter used it too.
I am truly, truly grateful for this wonderful book. Three more girls to go! LOL!
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SuzanneG
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teachingmyown wrote:
| I am truly, truly grateful for this wonderful book. Three more girls to go! LOL! |
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 My husband said something like that the other day when I was complaining about something having to do with their body-changes....He said, "Well, look on the bright side....One down, four more girls to go!"
And, there are also two smaller "companion" books to The Care and Keeping of You:
1. Is This Normal?
2. The Feelings Book
I have them from the library, and haven't quite finished them yet.
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Maggie
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Though I don't have girls of that age yet, I did happen to be in Barnes and Noble recently...and did find The Care and Keeping of You.
I would definitely peruse it first before purchasing. I guess it depends on your personal perspective, but for our family, this book would NOT be something we would use. I do think it is too graphic. That is not a judgment on anyone else, just a personal preference. 
In the meantime, I'm enjoying the "littles" phase here...
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leanne maree
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We have used beautiful girlhood and mothers little helper. We have an Australian company choicez who have excellent products particularly marketed to the teen in Hig schools. They are a Catholic couple, with a powerful message and witness. I linked the page to the parent/ teen products page.
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kingvozzo
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SuzanneG wrote:
And, The Joyful Mysteries of Life is a good "bridge" between the nuts-and-bolts-body-changes of The Care and Keeping of You and reproductive/chastity-talk. I am reading the first few chapters with my 8 and 9.5 yo right now....it also flows in with my pregnancy, new baby/life, etc.
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Suzanne, do you have any additional thought on "The Joyful Mysteries of Life?" I'm considering getting it for my 12 yo ds...
I know you're a pretty new little boy-momma  but what do you think of it for boys?
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mamalove
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we also have rejected the care and keeping of you, my mil wanted to give it to innocent 10 yo dd under the chirstmas tree! how innapropriate! and after seeing it, it was not what we wanted anyway.
I already have beautiful girlhood and mothers little helper and the joyful mysteries of life. i wouldnt mind a more nuts and bolts book, but not with the embrassing drawings!
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Syncletica
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Would any of you moms be willing to share with me what signs you looked for or noticed in your pre-puberty daughters? I would like to be more aware of whatever changes may be taking place, since I am expecting to have a talk with my oldest dd real soon and do not feel equipped enough yet.
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leanne maree
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I think the most obvious ones are Bodily changes.
But I first noticed mood changes in my girls.
Body odour was next and then there bodies began to change.
I haven't yet given dd the entire talk, she is coming up 13 soon. We have taken it all in stages.
She isn't being influenced or surrounded by worldly girls, so I feel I can be a little gentler with her.
BTW, The All things girls series- Catholic heritage curriculum, is an excellent series and is right at there level.
I hope thats a starter for you,
Leanne
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Syncletica
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Thanks, Leanne. Sometimes we just need little refreshers even though it may be very obvious. At least I do.
And how completely and totally ironic. I wrote that last night, and this morning when we got up, she came to me saying her chest hurts and feels tender. Wow. Talk about timing. I wasn't even able to wait till her 10th birthday to bring it up, it seems to have begun already. So be it.
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D. Marie
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I used the All Things Girl Mirror Mirror on the Wall, What is Beauty After All book in this series to introduce "Stages and changes", "Face Care", and "Hair Care". From that book we went to The Joyful Mysteries of Life that you can purchase at CHC. It has such a lovely way of talking about these things. This second book, though, discusses reproduction also and can be used for both girls and boys. We are now going through Beautiful Girlhood, which I think covers the same things as Mother's helper.
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CatholicMommy
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kingvozzo wrote:
SuzanneG wrote:
And, The Joyful Mysteries of Life is a good "bridge" between the nuts-and-bolts-body-changes of The Care and Keeping of You and reproductive/chastity-talk. I am reading the first few chapters with my 8 and 9.5 yo right now....it also flows in with my pregnancy, new baby/life, etc.
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Suzanne, do you have any additional thought on "The Joyful Mysteries of Life?" I'm considering getting it for my 12 yo ds...
I know you're a pretty new little boy-momma but what do you think of it for boys? |
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I have already used portions of this book with my son. He's only about to be 7, but since I've been a single mom and we've lived in close quarters, he knows when certain monthly things are happening; so nuts and bolts sections? NO. But the first chapter about the sacred place in a woman's body being like a tabernacle? YES. So he's knows I'm not sick or in need of a doctor; and he is being formed into an appreciation for life and his role in protecting that sacred space.
I've read all the other chapters, and I might tweak a couple of the boy chapters as he gets older (just based on our own situations), but overall, the book is GREAT. For both boys and girls.
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Marcia
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also the companion guide to the Beautiful Girlhood is great.
I also like Passport to Purity weekend to do with my kids when they reach that age.
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Book for girls and preparing for puberty
