How can I tell if my 9.5 year old daughter is heading into puberty?
She has been - I say this with a heavy heart - unbearable lately. Her moods swing like round abouts. She speaks so horrendously to us all and especially her little sister. She snaps, she scowls. Then 5 minutes later she’s a beautiful angel.
ANY activities with her end in myself and her in tears. Just tonight she was keen for a bike ride so off we went and not 2 minutes into it she was plain rude about wanting to go home. Summer beach days start beautiful - her and her sister bicker occasionally but mostly play nicely together. Then pretty much the second she leaves the water she is back to being awful again.
It’s like she can’t control her emotions. Like she wants to do better but literally can’t?
She’s also been complaining of some stomach pains the last few days. She says it feels like someone is squeezing her stomach. She has had a cold though so not sure if that’s related.
I have also noticed especially the last few weeks that she has little buds on her chest.
Now that I’m writing all this out it seems pretty obvious what’s happening :(
She seems far too young and immature to be heading into puberty.
Does this mean her period is imminent?
I’m not sure how to help her through this. We are at each other’s throats all the time.
6 Replies
My best friends daughter got her period at 9, it may just be around the corner. It also can be her attitude, seeing how far she can push you. My son was a pain 10-11 I believe now that was his hormones. When my daughter is moody 12 I tell her, in a fun way they ohh I think your periods are coming soon. We ended up laughing it off. I’m trying to prepare her. It’s a hard age. Hormones, emotions, defiant.
9.5 is normal these days. Just prepare her and make sure she knows what she's going through is normal.
I was 10 when i got my period and my first bra (breasts had started growing at 9). That was back in 1998, it’s not bad, just scary at such a young age.
I think precocious puberty is before 8 years old.
If you’re really worried, take her to a female gyno and start getting her use to seeing one early. Exposure is incredibly important.
My daughter has breast buds and underarm hair… I saw one and went to pull it away because i though it was just a rouge hair…LOL! A little later in the week she asked for a towel while finishing showering because she forgot and she had hair beginning to grow down there. This was about 4 months ago. She is 10 next month… I am not at all prepared for this!!! I feel you mumma… Defs not too early and wow the mood swings… you can’t please them 🤪 Talk about CRANKY and EMOTIONAL!
Immaturity has nothing to do with what age a child goes through puberty.
Most girls nowadays do go through some form of puberty at age 9. It doesn't mean she will get her period at that age, but she will go through changes.
Don't fob her off when she is emotional and don't assume it's just a girl thing. Boys can be the same but people tend to be much harsher with girls.
She needs support and to know what she's going through is normal and that she can come to you when she's struggling.
I would have a period pack for her ready if you don't have one already. Make sure she knows exactly what to expect when the time comes.
My daughter was 9 years and 5 months when she got her period. Her moods and behaviour sound exactly like you are describing. I got her the Kaz Cooke girls stuff book and we prepared her for using pads including making a little go case for school. She already knew all about periods but the book was good as she could read it and then ask questions if she needed too. Her period was off and on for the first few months and a bit all over the place but now one year later her cycle is quite regular. Her mood is still all over the place thanx to hormones but everything else is going along like normal.