When Should I Have "The Talks" with My 7 Y/o Daughter?

H.:

Telling her that no one should EVER touch her there - may lead to problems down the road. This is MY opinion though.

My husband and I use "off the cuff comments" around our boys - if they don't "get it' we don't need to get more serious - if they do - we don't act surprised, we just start talking about it.

She needs to know she can come to you with anything - do NOT judge her. tell her what YOU would do!! Both my boys know they can tell me anything...i've had some outlandish questions too!!! My 10 year old is "learning" family life in school...and the kids are already forming their own opinions on things..urgh!!!

I would continue talking to her about what she can expect in regards to her period - should she start at 9 years old...it's sooo much younger than when I started (7th grade)....make sure she's prepared and won't freak out when she finds blood in her underwear or on toilet paper after wiping...talk with your pediatrician to find out what they suggest.

I can tell you that she needs to have CONCRETE information and VALUES. Explain to her that sex is SUPPOSED to be special and not just a one night stand. That just because she hears "everyone" is doing it - you can guaran-darn-tee her - they are not!! It's OKAY to say NO! it's preferred that she wait until marriage (this of course depends upon your morals and family values).

What would you have wanted YOUR mom to tell you? for me? my daughter is now 25 and I was talking to her about sex (as we are bombarded with it on the TV, music videos, etc.) when she was 5 years old. Preparing her for her period, etc. So when it happened, she came in and said - I put a pair of underwear wet in the wash and used the pad. I said "oh okay - how are you feeling?" fine.

My boys? I tell them that NO means NO. I tell them that we've heard about "rainbow parties" and the like - and things like that are demeaning, not only to the girls involved but to you as well. Sex is PRIVATE - not a public display....we are trying to keep our boys young and innocent but not shield them.

I hope this helps you!!

There is a christian series for all ages. I think this link is for the book your daughters age. I found this helpful. =D

http://www.amazon.com/Where-Do-Babies-Come-Learning/dp/05...

My parents gave me the book "Where Did I Come From?" around that age. It's a great book but you should preview it as it gives a lot of straight facts - but in a fun way. They also gave me the book "What's Happening to Me?" when I was a preteen which explains all about puberty.

Just keep in mind it's an on-going conversation. You already have a lot of great resources listed here from a lot of great moms who've been down that road!

Hit the library, and have them ongoing from here on in. I don't have experience yet, but I keep hearing moms say that in the car so you don't have to look at each other is helpful and less embarrassing. Also when watching tv/movies that might invite those types of conversations. Good luck!

my mom gave me a great book when i was about 8yrs old. and she read it with me and answered my questions along the way. I think that any child book you could find that are appropriate could be good, just answer all her questions as well as you can without turning red int he face lol

My daughter knew what periods were all about when she was four. She walked in on me changing a tampon, wanted to know why I was bleeding and if I need a doctor, and I explained to her that it was normal and why it happened - in words she could understand, of course.

She knew where babies came from before she entered kindergarten.

She had her first period when she was nine. When it happened, she knew exactly what was going on, and exactly what to expect.

She needs to know the basics - what a period is all about, what to expect, what to do. She needs to know how her period relates to making babies, and how babies are made. She needs to know what effects puberty has on boys, so that she doesn't freak out when she's talking to a male friend and he suddenly makes wood for no apparent reason.
And if she comes up with any questions, she needs to know the answers to them, no matter how uncomfortable they may make you.

The only book I can recommend is "Our Bodies, Ourselves" - it was recommended by our pediatrician's nurse, and it was excellent.

My daughter, now 16, knew what all her parts were called and knew about periods at an early age. I am very open with communication and always have answered any question she had.

By 7 she should know about stranger danger, and I am with another poster....... I never taught my daughter that her parts were "bad', "taboo" and never to be touched. You don't want to give the child a hang up on her body, sex, etc. That can last her lifetime.

If you are not comfortable talking eye to eye, do it while you are driving, talking a walk, etc. Do something to get the doors of communication wide open now.

I don't know of any books but I would look at some of the suggestions you got here as a start. The "talks" are not bad.... don't come across to your daughter as nevative.

You will do great!!