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Very emotional day for me, DD started her period at 9!!!

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Posted 4/3/2005 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Oh my gosh, I knew it was coming sometime soon but I am in total shock anyway.  She is 9 1/2, won't be 10 until October but started developing breasts over a year ago, almost 2 years now.  And she has had pubic hair for almost a year.  So those things clued me in that this was going to happen within the next year or so.  But I am so sad!  She is being so good about it all and so mature.  But my heart nearly broke when she came to me and told me, my baby isn't a baby anymore!! 

 

She didn't cry or act too scared.  And I hope that is because I prepared her.  I've been talking to her about it since she first showed signs of developing.  And I even had her taking pads in her book bag to school.  But I am sure she is the first in her class.  She doesn't want to call and tell her dad yet though.  And we have to, he will have her on Tuesday overnight.  Thank God he has a live in fiance' to help him with this.  He is such a "macho" man he couldn't do it alone.  Oh I am so grateful she was here with us this weekend. And that we didn't go to church this morning.  DH was sick.  She would have been in Sunday school when it happened.  I am glad we were home where she had me to go straight to instead of her teacher or father.  (Giving thanks)

 

Girls are maturing at such a young age now, isn't it scary?  I've wondered for this whole time what contributes to this.  could it be hormones in our food?  Steroids in food?  Or just genetics?  I didn't develop until I was about 11 and didn't start menstrating until I was 12.

 

Does this put her at a higher risk for BC?  Oh no!  That isn't fair if it does!  Could there be a connection between earlier menstration and higher incidence of BC??

 

I need hugs today, and lots of them.

 

Love,

Posted 4/3/2005 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mia-
Wow, that is early! But sounds like you are handling it well, and your daughter's attitude will make it easier for you.

I have heard that earlier onset of menses is a risk factor for BC later in life. The more times a woman menstruates, the more times ovulation occurs...or something like that. I have heard that is one reason that a woman who has never been PG is at higher risk...since we stop for 9 months during pregnancy, and if there are more than one pregnancy, then that is a couple years less of having periods and fewer times to ovulate.

I have heard theories that our American diet contributes to the earlier development, with more fat and unhealthy diets....you might consider talking to her pediatrician to be sure he thinks everything is ok. THere are psychological implications that will come with this for her...being the first to develop, first to mature, etc. And the timing with your BC, she may have fears of getting older or developing further, fearing that she too will get BC. I think that they can even do treatments to delay or postpone menstruation in young girls, but I do not know much about it...and certainly I am not endorsing it,...just encouraging you to check your options for her sake.

But also, remember this is a beautiful event, as your daughter is becoming a little adult...

L&H,
Lori
Posted 4/3/2005 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I heard that late menses was associated with BC.  I didn't get it until I was 16.  I could be wrong though.  Mia, thinking of you today, Try to think of the good side of this.  She'll be a help to the other girls soon.  The knowing one, who will help them and not scare them with horror stories about it because she had a wonderful mother who helped her with it. 
Posted 4/3/2005 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
What a great Mom you are Mia! Sounds like you have a wonderful relationship with your daughter. I have to agree that she does sound really young to be menstruating. She many not have another period for some time. As I recall, I was pretty irregular for the first year or so. And, I think I was in 7th or 8th grade before I started. But, times and bodies have changed. Sending pink rose buds to your DD on her initiation into womanhood. Hugs, Lauri
Posted 4/3/2005 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
My DD was 10. It was a shock, but she handled it better than me. But how wonderful that she is blossoming into a sweet wonderful young lady, thanks to you and the relationship you have with her. Hugs to her and you, Candy
Posted 4/4/2005 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, she has been handling it much better than me.  Thankfully I saw this coming about a year ago and had lots of talks to her.  I tried to get her dad ready for it but he didn't believe me.  He is engaged to a nurse so I told him to ask her.  On that subject; in my earlier post I said I was glad he had a live in fiance to help him deal with it, well I'm not happy they aren't married and are living together just happy he will have a woman's perspective for DD while she is at his house.  I didn't live with my DH before we got married so that the kids wouldn't think that was ok. 

 

But she didn't want to tell her dad so I did it for her.  He didn't believe me and asked to come get her for a while.  Like he needs to ask her himself.  I told him not to make a big deal out of it, she didn't, so we shouldn't.  (I haven't in front of her, but I've broken down when she's not in sight)

 

Anyhow, thanks for all the advice and nice words.  I love her so much and can't believe so much time has passed already.  Seems like I just turned around from changing her diapers and watching her learn to walk.  Ahh, how time flies.....

 

Hugs and thanks to all of you!

Posted 4/4/2005 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
Oh Mia big {{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}} for you and for DD.

I can sure feel your emotions right now, it seems like just yesterday that both of my DD's got their lovely monthly visitor and how it hurt me to see it happen. They were both young ...11 yrs. old. I can't imagine how it would feel if they would have started at the age of 9.

She is so lucky to have you as a mother. I am sure that you are handling it in the right way and that this will not be a traumatic event for her. It is so nice that she can talk to you about it and be able to ask questions.

My darling little granddaughter will turn 11 in June and I already am worrying about her having to go thru this same experience. Actually, my daughter and I had a conversation about this subject while we were in MB this last week.

Keep smiling and try not to worry, I am sure that this is bothering you way more than it is her.

God Bless,
Debbie
^j^ ^j^ ^j^
Posted 4/4/2005 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Wow. First of all, sending hugs your way (((((Mia))))), because your really, really need them. Second, I wanted to say that you evidently did a wonderful job in nurturing her and preparing her for this day. I applaud you for talking with her so early, which allowed her to be informed and not freightened, when she had her "visit". Nine is such a young age. She is still a baby, herself. I cannot imagine your total emotions, right now. Unfortunately, starting periods at a young age does up the risk. I do think, however, that by the time she is at an age, where bc may be possible, this disease will be manageable and not the disease that we know, today. I worry about my girls, too. Blessings.

Posted 4/4/2005 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Nine is very young. You have done a great job in talking with her about it. Back in the dark ages, no one talked. I never knew a thing until it happened and then still was told nothing, just shown what to do. My eleventh birthday which happened to be a Sunday and I was in Sunday School. The stores weren't open back then, so my mother even called the corner grocery store and sent my poor aunt to get what I needed. Think that didn't make an impression of embarrassment, I still remember 55 years later. LOL. I don't remember much about my daughters but I am sure they were more prepared. Life's moments. Hugs MK
Posted 4/4/2005 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
My DD was the same age and she now has a dd of her own who is 7.-so far she is just a normal little girl but we both wonder how long it will be......

Unfortunately our children are maturing earlier and that does bring problems. but you have done a great job preparing her and she will be fine.

apparently it is the length of time that hormones race round our body that cause a predispostion to cancer. an early start and a late finish gives a higher incidence. ( I myself fit into this category).However, like all the others, I take comfort that our daughters & grand-daughters will have the benefit of increased medical knowledge - praps we will even have the wonderful cure then.

Love & hugs as you pass this milestone together
Kath
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