It's all in the approach when it comes to talking with your daughter about puberty. To be successful, these conversations require forethought, sensitivity and tact. Our survey of nearly 11,000 girls showed that a mom's manner can make all the difference.
Girls said some moms are giddy and others seem sad or angry when they talk about puberty. As one girl put it, “She talks like she is excited and it makes me feel weird.” Others said their moms were tearful and seemed like they didn’t want them to grow up. But some girls praised their moms for having perfect pitch: “She acts like it’s normal and she's not embarrassed, so neither am I.”
That's why our Tip #6 is: Come across just right.
Expect that your daughter will have some hot-button issues, such as the size of her breasts or whether you're going to let her shave her legs LIKE ALL HER FRIENDS DO. Imagine how you'll feel getting into a discussion over body changes, first bras, and boys. Then think about how you want to come across - open, nonjudgmental, relaxed. Even if you don't exactly feel like a paragon of calm, it's time to fake it 'til you make it. One good talk leads to another when you make your daughter feel at ease.
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Good stuff, Debra. It's too easy for moms to not come across just right on sensitive topics...it takes planning and thought to get the pitch and approach right.
ReplyDeleteI just started following you on Twitter; are you on Facebook too?