This is an article that I wrote for Mojatu magazine.
The transition from a child to a woman is very different for every woman. We all have different experiences and our journey is never the same. There may be similarities, in the form of bodily changes but even that will be different depending on your own genetic make-up.
Those who are blessed with a caring environment should transition more easily. Most parents I know, want to provide for their child/children an environment where they are safe, secure and nurtured.
To help our daughters embrace the changes they may face, it is important for parents first to understand the physical changes that may occur alongside the emotional changes too.
Bodily changes:
All below are approximate ages related changes.
- Around the age of eight, a girl may notice some changes in her breasts. However, this may not start as late as age fourteen and may continue up to the age of nineteen. Young girls may be worried at this time because one breast may grow at a different rate to the other and it is important that as parents, we assure our child that this is normal. Even if they experience lateness at the beginning of changes to the breasts, they need to know that this is also normal. Girls also need to be aware that the size that they are at aged nineteen may not be the size they will be at 20, 30 and beyond as pregnancy, weight loss etc may also change the size and shape of their breast.
- During puberty, there is also the appearance of hair underarm and in the genital area. Again, our daughters will need reassurance that this is normal, and the speed of growth again is not typical, each girl/woman have their own experiences including their own siblings.
- Other bodily changes include that changes to the hips that may widen and changes to height. There are no set times for these to happen. There may be growth spurts at any time that may slow down for a while and then continue at a later time. It is vital as parents to reassure our daughters that any changes are normal and that we will be there to answer any questions they may have. If we can’t or feel uncomfortable, we can refer them to other sources of information for support.
See the full article here: Mojatu Magazine
For more information visit:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/stages-of-puberty-what-happens-to-boys-and-girls/
https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/puberty/Documents/fpa-periods-PDF.pdf
http://www.fpa.org.uk/relationships-and-sex-education/parents-and-carers
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/you-your-body/puberty/puberty-girls/
©2020 Sharon RM Stevens
