Dealing with early Puberty
May 16, 2010
IN my career as a counselling psychologist I have met young girls experiencing early puberty. Mothers come for counselling wondering what to do. Many of them feel that something must be wrong with their daughters.
From the Counselor
IN my career as a counselling psychologist I have met young girls experiencing early puberty. Mothers come for counselling wondering what to do. Many of them feel that something must be wrong with their daughters.
I remember a case of a nine-year-old girl who was caught unawares. Out of confusion, she went to ask her father for help. The father referred her to her mother who was equally at a loss.
Her mother sought medical advice. It was difficult for this mother to imagine why her nine-year-old daughter was menstruating.
The doctor helped her to understand that it was normal for such a thing to happen and that her daughter needed support. When she came for counselling, she was still wondering how the girl could cope with the stigma from her age-mates.
It was like the girl’s childhood had been cut prematurely. I mean, this was a child and still as playful as any other child of her age. Learning how to dispose of the sanitary pads was a challenge too. She threw them all over and innocently left them anywhere.
After understanding what her daughter was going through, the mother became supportive. By the time the girl turned 10 she knew what to do. Her mother taught her the meticulous details of hygiene and the precautions she had to take.
Parents need to understand that cases of early puberty are no longer as isolated as they used to be in the olden days. Our lifestyle has changed tremendously.
Incidentally, in the many cases of early puberty I have handled, the girls were obese.
Although some children are naturally big, parents need to monitor what their children eat.
Early puberty is not abnormal. Feel free to talk with your child about it. If your eight-year-old daughter sees you with a sanitary pad, do not hide it; explain that girls need it at a certain time.
Keep an eye on sprouting breasts and begin talking to the girl about what to expect. It is easier for them to cope when they are helped to understand puberty early. Fathers should also provide the needed support.
As told to Jamesa Wagwau
IN my career as a counselling psychologist I have met young girls experiencing early puberty. Mothers come for counselling wondering what to do. Many of them feel that something must be wrong with their daughters.
I remember a case of a nine-year-old girl who was caught unawares. Out of confusion, she went to ask her father for help. The father referred her to her mother who was equally at a loss.
Her mother sought medical advice. It was difficult for this mother to imagine why her nine-year-old daughter was menstruating.
The doctor helped her to understand that it was normal for such a thing to happen and that her daughter needed support. When she came for counselling, she was still wondering how the girl could cope with the stigma from her age-mates.
It was like the girl’s childhood had been cut prematurely. I mean, this was a child and still as playful as any other child of her age. Learning how to dispose of the sanitary pads was a challenge too. She threw them all over and innocently left them anywhere.
After understanding what her daughter was going through, the mother became supportive. By the time the girl turned 10 she knew what to do. Her mother taught her the meticulous details of hygiene and the precautions she had to take.
Parents need to understand that cases of early puberty are no longer as isolated as they used to be in the olden days. Our lifestyle has changed tremendously.
Incidentally, in the many cases of early puberty I have handled, the girls were obese.
Although some children are naturally big, parents need to monitor what their children eat.
Early puberty is not abnormal. Feel free to talk with your child about it. If your eight-year-old daughter sees you with a sanitary pad, do not hide it; explain that girls need it at a certain time.
Keep an eye on sprouting breasts and begin talking to the girl about what to expect. It is easier for them to cope when they are helped to understand puberty early. Fathers should also provide the needed support.
As told to Jamesa Wagwau