During the three to five years that it takes for a girl to get through puberty, there’s a LOT of stuff going on. Some of the changes can be exciting, but many create anxiety. Girls worry most about whether their body is changing in a normal way. They worry if they are first to develop; they worry if they are developing later than all of their friends. And when bodies are changing and doing new things that they don’t understand, they worry that something is wrong.

When girls understand what’s normal and expected, they face the changes with greater confidence and less anxiety. After two decades of leading girls’ puberty eduction programs and receiving thousands of questions through our website, we know what girls (and their moms) worry about the most. Below, we present five things that your daughter needs to know about puberty before it happens (so she won’t worry!).

Breast buds are not cancer.

The first sign of breast development is a firm knot under the areola, called a breast bud. Often, one side “buds” first, then the other bud shows up weeks or months later. Breast cancer awareness has made such great strides that even little girls know that lumps in the breast are concerning. Many young girls have had family members with breast cancer, and they worry that their own breast bud is also cancer. Girls (and moms) need to understand that the tender knots that happen under the areola between the ages of 7 and 12 are not cancer, but are caused by normal breast development and will disappear in time. For help with breast concerns, go HERE.

Vaginal discharge is normal.

Women don’t typically talk about vaginal discharge during every day conversations, so many girls have never heard of it. When girls start to notice a new wetness or “crust” in their underwear, many have no idea what it is or if it’s normal. There are a few things that they need to know about discharge: it begins soon after breasts begin to develop; it is the way the vagina cleans itself; and it’s something that all girls and women have (even though they don’t usually talk about it!). In early puberty, vaginal discharge can be irritating to the sensitive vulvar skin (until the hair fills in and helps keep the discharge off of the skin), so knowing how to manage it is helpful, too (we cover that in our Puberty class available to subscribers).

Nobody can tell you’re on your period unless you tell them.

Do you remember thinking that people could see your bulky pad through your clothes? Did you ever believe that others could tell you were having your period by the way you looked, smelled or acted? Girls today still worry about these things, but they’re simply not true. Young girls want reassurance that others cannot tell when they are having their period. As they mature and get used to menstruation, however, we hope that they will have the confidence to not care if others know they are having a period, because periods are NORMAL! Make sure she’s prepared and confident with this class.

Emotions come from experiences, not hormones.

Adults may need this lesson more than girls, but everyone should understand that emotions are not caused by hormones. Emotions are reactions to things that people experience and feel. Sure, hormonal changes can make emotional reactions bigger, but as girls enter puberty, help them get in the habit of naming their emotions and identifying what triggers them. This is a valuable skill that will help them throughout adolescence and into adulthood. Girls (and boys) are especially empowered when they find healthy ways to identify, express, and manage their emotions, especially the more difficult ones like sadness, anger, jealously or disappointment.

Your body is amazing.

With all the body shaming and unrealistic body images that dominate the media and our culture, too many girls grow up believing they are not pretty enough, thin enough or fit enough. As puberty brings on changes in body size and shape, girls need to practice trusting and caring for their body. They need to know it is amazing because of the things it can do. Help girls value their body for what it helps them accomplish. Help them normalize NORMAL and recognize that the “ideal” created by the media and fashion industry is mostly unattainable and often unhealthy. Finally, be someone who models respect for body diversity and values others for their actions and deeds over appearances. Our video class How to Like Your Body was created to help girls develop this mindset and the practices that prevent body dislike.

 

 

 

Ah! The smell of adolescence.

There’s nothing quite like the end-of-the-day funk that wafts from a pubescent kid. Some of them (younger ones usually) have no idea they stink or they just don’t care because their friends haven’t noticed.

But as kids head into middle school and beyond, body odor is a common cause for teasing, exclusion, and shaming.

Besides the usual body odor from sweaty pits and stinky feet, there are also new and strong odors from their morphing private zones. For girls, in particular, those private odors often become an embarrassment and even a source of anxiety, but some reassurance about normal healthy odors and details about basic hygiene may be all they need.

First, let me stress that there’s already too much body insecurity –  including vulvar paranoia – in our culture. Women’s bodies and body parts are constantly critiqued, compared and objectified. And crude jokes about odors and “nasty bits” only heighten a girls’ self-consciousness.

So for a LOT of young women, the answer to their worries is reassurance that healthy vaginas are not stinky and there’s nothing dirty about a vulva.

But for younger girls who are just figuring out personal hygiene, there’s a lot to learn.

Does her odor signal a vaginal infection?

In my office where we see adolescent girls in the throes of puberty, we often hear sincere questions about body odors and hygiene. The most frequent prompt for a hygiene chat is a mom or girl complaining of vaginal odor and thinking there must be an infection. 

For most preteen and young teen girls, vaginal infections (including yeast and B.V.) are rare, so usually after some questions, a quick look, and maybe testing a sample (from the outside — a vaginal exam is NOT necessary), we almost always land on “normal vaginal discharge” which is NOT a source of offensive odors.

I always emphasize that vaginal discharge has an odor, but it’s not stinky… unless it sticks around too long, and we’ll get to that. 

Then why the smell?

What most moms and girls believe is “vaginal odor” is actually a combination of sweat / body odor (and sometimes period blood) that lingers in pubic hair AND the vaginal secretions that dry up and stick around in the folds of the vulva.

Learning to manage vulvar hygiene is simple, but it boils down to a thorough “hair wash” and cleaning of the crevices. I know. There’s no easier way to say it. 

So, when it comes up (and in an adolescent gyn practice, that’s at least daily), I find myself giving the same “hygiene lesson” over and over to address body odor and the “private” odors that bother a lot of my patients.

The discussion seems to be welcomed by parents and appreciated by girls, especially when they understand WHY there’s an odor and HOW to manage it.

Here’s my rendition of “how to clean your privates” for girls

(and if you just want us to have this chat with your girl, send her to this class). 

“Your vaginal discharge is totally normal, but we still need to talk about the odors that bother you (or others). 

Puberty launches lots of new odors

First, your new body odors happen because puberty makes you sweat more than ever. It also makes your skin push out more oils which attract bacteria that create most of the stink. And this sweat and oil isn’t just happening in your armpits, it happens all over your body, and especially around your private parts and in your groin (the folds where your thighs meet your trunk).

Odors stick to oils

When these new body odors happen, the smells are always attached to oils on your skin and hair – and hair really holds onto odors! Think about this… if you have grease or oil all over your hands, how do you get it off? With just water? Nope. You have to use soap! And sometimes you have to wash twice with soap if your hands are really greasy, right?

The same thing is true for body odor – consider it oily, so you HAVE to use soap, sometimes twice, to remove the oils carrying the odor.

It takes soap to remove oils

That means the first step is to wash your whole body (except inside your vulva) WITH SOAP every day or at least most days. That includes your pubic hair, the outside of your vulva and your groin – AND I’m gonna go ahead and say your butt crack, too, because well, yeah, butts get stinky and they need soap, too.  

There are hiding places where odors like to hang out

The other thing you need to know is that your vaginal discharge only causes odor if it sticks around too long. So you have to make sure you get any dried discharge out of all the folds and creases in your vulva.

Here’s how to get rid of them

You do that by opening your labia (which requires squatting or spreading your legs), and using your hand or a washcloth and warm water (no soap inside the labia). It’s easiest in a bathtub, but you can also get the job done in the shower. If you have a detachable shower head, that can work, too. You DON’T need to put anything inside your vagina, but you do need to wash the outer and inner labia and the make sure you clean the crevices and folds in and around them. Finally, rinse well in case any soap gets in there! That skin is sensitive.

Check your work

While you’re figuring it out, you can you can look with a mirror after your bath or shower to make sure you got the dried up stuff out of there. I know – sounds awkward, but it’s your body, and it sounds to me like the odor has been awkward for you, too. 

And here’s what vulvas do NOT need

The last thing I want to tell you is that you might see products in the store called “feminine deodorant” or “douches” for cleaning the vagina. You DON’T EVER need to use those products!

First of all, your vulva isn’t supposed to smell like a flower, so there’s no need to put perfumed sprays or washes down there.

Secondly, the vagina cleans itself, and squirting water or other liquids up the vagina to “clean” it actually damage the normal healthy bacteria in there and increase the risk for vaginal infections. Your vagina is a self-cleaning organ, but your vulva is not (and you know the difference, right?)

You’re not alone, and you’ve got this!

I’ll stop now (smile). But don’t be embarrassed at all that we had this talk. You wouldn’t believe how many girls have the same issue at your age. Before now, you never had to pay much attention to washing down there, but puberty is a gamechanger – and there’s  a lot to learn. But I think you’re going to get through it just fine!”

_____

Download the Girlology App in the app store or on google play.

 I prefer the term “vigilant” over “paranoid,” but I worry about depression – a lot. With 3 daughters, it’s a personal worry. With thousands of female adolescent patients, it’s also a professional worry. 

Why do I worry? 

📌 It’s common. Among teens, 1 in 7 will have a diagnosis of depression, but less than half will get treatment.

📌 It’s tricky. Depression can look different in teens than in adults, and they’re great at camouflaging their symptoms.

📌 Girls are particularly at risk. After puberty, depression is almost 3 times more common in girls than boys.

📌 It shows up early. Among adults with depression or anxiety, over half of them had symptoms by age 14.

And my biggest fear? 😱

It’s not the diagnosis of depression, it’s that the depression goes UNTREATED, because treatments are very effective, especially when started promptly after the onset of symptoms. But if it’s not treated, long-standing depression can lead to other serious health problems and lifelong struggles.

So the obvious question is, “Can we PREVENT depression in the first place?” 

There’s actually some good news. 

• When we equip children with emotional coping skills, mindfulness practices, and mental wellness awareness, we can reduce the occurrence of both anxiety and depression. Girlology has  lots of tips and discussions in the app to guide you and help her with those skills.

• When we give girls a new way to think about their body without defaulting to the way it looks as a source of happiness, we  can help them build a foundation that prioritizes their  experiences and abilities over appearances. That helps reduce body dissatisfaction which is a big trigger for anxiety in many girls. Watch for Girlology’s new body image class for girls – it will do exactly that (arriving Oct 1 for members!).

• When we destigmatize  mental health care is also a way to reduce the consequences of mental health struggles. Make sure she knows that caring for her mental health and getting help when there’s a problem is just as important and necessary as taking care of her body and getting treatments when she’s physically sick. 

Obviously, genetics matter, and some things are just not in our control, however there are definitely some steps you can take to protect her mental health now and in the future. This tip will get you started.

As vigilant moms, we need to be well-prepared to recognize depression symptoms and know what to DO (or not do) to support her, get it treated, and help our girls thrive. 

Become a member of Girlology to have an all-access pass to the support you’ll need to help your child grow up confident and informed!

Get Girlology on google play or in the app store.

Ready to become a Girlology member? Learn More HERE. 

When it comes to adolescent acne, there’s a progression that’s pretty typical as puberty begins:
oily skin > blackheads > pimples > and some will advance to full-blown acne.

Gee thanks, hormones 🙄

As parents, we may cringe inside at the first sight of acne on that sweet little face, but parenting a pre-teen or teen is such a balancing act.

• Do you say anything or not? 
• Do you just leave some acne wash by her sink and hope she discovers it?
• Do you calmly suggest a skin care routine without letting your eyes stray to her pimples?

You desperately want to help her avoid the self-esteem impact of acne, but you also need to avoid the emotional crisis that could erupt by pointing out her skin flaws. 🌋

As a mom, I’ve walked on those eggshells, but then I learned to apply my doctoring skills at home, and it got a little easier. 

As a doctor, we’re trained to make observations and ask questions: 

“I notice you have some blackheads and a few pimples. Do they bother you?”

The key is showing NO emotion or facial expression to indicate pity, concern, or worry.

In this type of situation, if you can be like a blank piece of paper with a Yes or No checkbox ✅ you’ll be less likely to set off an emotional melt-down. (hint: this skill is critical for parents of tweens and teens. Practice it and apply it often!)

If her answer is a solid “No,” just move on and make no other comments other than, “Awesome, if it ever does, just let me know.” 

If her answer is anything else,

“Sort of,”

“Not really,”

“A little,”
or (as my drama-queen answered, “Omigosh YES!!! Why would you even ASK?”

then you’ll want to watch our tips from dermatologist Dr. Angela Casey, starting with THIS ONE to help her understand what causes acne and the essentials for treatment.

If she isn’t bothered by skin issues, she won’t be motivated to follow any skin care routine beyond washing (and even that is a struggle for some tweens!). If that’s the case, then this tip is exactly what you (and she) need for now.

But when she’s ready for help, we’ve got you covered with this tip from Dr. Trish: Treating Acne When It First Starts.

And if you’re looking for a recommendation on choosing products for her skin? We are loving Bright Girl skin care products. Dr. Angela Casey is the creator of Bright Girl products specifically made for young skin — with simple, safe ingredients. Use the discount code: Girl20 for 20% off your order at brightgirl.com.

 

Want ALL the tips and insights we share? Become a Girlology member now! Learn More HERE. 

 I meet a lot of parents through Girlology and in my own community who still assume their child’s school will teach them something about puberty and reproductive health. That’s a pretty normal expectation. In fact, according to Girlology’s recent research, over 50% of moms agreed that their friends primarily rely on schools for this type of education. 

Do YOU think that’s happening?

Honestly, in the U.S. sex education in schools is struggling big time. Teachers certainly want to do right by their students, but when it comes to sex education, there are too many hurdles and inconsistencies, including these:

Only 25 states in the U.S. even require sex + HIV education.* 

And only 18 of those require that it’s medically accurate.* 

Say what? 

Isn’t accuracy a thing in schools? 

And what about teacher certification? Nope. 

Although some school districts have health educators that are qualified and comfortable teaching sex ed, more often than not, this essential knowledge is delivered by reluctant and unsupported teachers who are basically handed the job whether they want it or not.

Here’s another thing: if they do teach about puberty, it’s commonly in 5th grade when more than half of girls are already developing and losing confidence.

If they teach reproduction, it’s typically in 7th grade, when every kid in the class has already heard (and many have seen) ALL THE THINGS that kids share about sex…mostly attached to dirty, shameful or naughty messages.

That’s not the way I wanted my daughters to learn about their amazing bodies, the miracle of reproduction, and even their early understanding of intimacy. 

You, too? 

Then when is the right time to start?
Well, as early as you can, but definitely now. 😬 It’s never too late.

As a parent, and as a physician, one of my big goals is to do better by young people by giving them accurate information and honest answers to their questions about their bodies, sex, and sexuality BEFORE they see it online or hear it from peers, siblings, crushes, or Tik Tok’s self-proclaimed “sexperts.”

One of my other big goals is to help parents tackle this task with more confidence. Sometimes that means breaking the ice and getting the talking started for them. 

I say “talking” because it’s not “A TALK,” it’s an ongoing conversation that is a lot easier to continue than it is to start. Age-appropriate education means introducing topics in simple ways, then layering details and complexities year after year as they mature. 

So if you’re wondering WHEN to start, check out this tip: When Should I Talk to My Kids About Sex?

And if you want help starting “the talking,” we’ve got your back with our on-demand class: The Science of Reproduction.

• We’ll say all the words, 
• provide the details, 
• dispel the myths,
• and leave you to share your own family values that only you know best. 

Give her a little time to process what she’s learned. Then, when she has questions, the class also includes a downloadable Q&A that can help you through the most common questions we get from kids. 

It’s a great way to start, and we’ll be here to help you keep it going through ALL the talking!

If you want to see all the content we offer on puberty and sex ed (we organize it in grade-level playlists for age-appropriate, year-after-year layering), download our free app, and take a look at our titles.

Once you become a member, you’ll have an all-access pass to the support you’ll need to help your child grow up confident and informed!

Get Girlology on google play or in the app store.

* Guttmacher Institute

Ready to become a Girlology member? Learn More HERE. 

My two older daughters were close in age 👭, and they shared a friend, Liza🚶🏽‍♀️, who had two younger brothers👬 and no sisters. My girls had no brothers. Liza loved spending time at our house because we had Breyer horses, a play kitchen, and a pair of very entertaining miniature donkeys. I loved sending my girls to Liza’s house where they were exposed to penises.

 

😳 Wait. Let me explain that better.

The penises belonged to Liza’s two and four year old brothers who were frequently scampering through the house naked or peeing in the yard. 😅

Liza’s mom and I felt pretty resourceful. 

Liza learned about reproduction (you mean they’re not dancing?) from our donkeys and thought it was cool.🤰🏻✨ My girls saw penises frequently enough to settle their curiosity and recognize a penis as just another body part. 🍆 🤷🏻‍♀️  

Over years of helping thousands of children prepare for puberty and grow in body confidence, I know this for sure: kids are not just curious about how their own bodies will change, they ask a ton of questions about how puberty affects other kids.

How much should they learn about each other? 

You know my answer: 

ALL of it. 

Menstruation and vulvas shouldn’t be a mystery to half the population. Keeping it that way only perpetuates stigma and shame. Same goes for erections, wet dreams, and gynecomastia (when pubertal boys transiently develop breast tissue – about HALF of them will).  

When every child understands what happens to all bodies in puberty, they are more understanding and less self-conscious. They begin to recognize that everybody has some pretty interesting and strange new things going on. They become more accepting of their own changes, and more supportive for their friends.  

So, even though we are GIRLology, we also have an on-demand class and activity book on BOYS’ PUBERTY, called GUYology. It’s led by Dr. Trish and Dr. Matt – who you and your kids will love! We created it because so many parents asked for it (and we’ve been teaching it in-person for over a decade!). It was created for boys, but if your daughters are curious, it’s a YES 🙌🏽 from me! If you have friends with sons in 4th-6th grade, please share! 

And if you’re looking for one resource that covers puberty for ALL bodies, check out our book You-ology: A Puberty Guide for Every Body, written by us and published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Did you know Girlology has grade-by-grade playlists listing on-demand video and downloadable content to support her and you through the entire journey? Learn More 

As a mom of three girls, I admit there have been times when one of my daughters has had a puberty or period issue, and we agreed to “not tell Dad.” Because… girl stuff. 🙈🙉🙊

But if her dad is involved in her life, why do we do this? To protect her? Or to protect him? 

Either way, here’s the truth: it doesn’t protect EITHER of them. 

Girls need the support of men who care about them. 👨‍👧 There’s a well-established body of research confirming the positive impact of healthy father-daughter relationships. It’s a bonus when those men are cool and confident about their little girls growing up – including puberty & periods.

When we keep dads (and boys) in the dark, it perpetuates stigma by implying that periods and body changes are something to hide, when honestly, our biology is something to celebrate and honor. 

So, if your girl’s dad is part of her life and ready to shine (or shine brighter), let him in on the girl-talk. And if you’re the dad seeking help connecting with your tween/teen daughter – don’t back away from those conversations. Dads often bring a fresh, matter-of-fact, sometimes even goofy perspective that boosts comfort for everyone. 

So as we honor all the dads who are helping raise confident girls, here’s one big tip that strengthens the father-daughter bond that can carry a lifetime of benefits:

👉🏽 Instead of DADs always being the one to share their knowledge and skills with their daughters, it’s important to express curiosity that allows girls to explain things to their dads or other men who care about them. 

Maybe it starts with some simple asks:

• “How do you make a Tik Tok?”
• “Will you show me how to play your favorite video game.”
• “Can you help me understand why people like Taylor Swift?”

And as you advance those strategies, don’t hold back on the girl talk topics:

• “How do tampons work?”
• “I never understood the menstrual cycle very well; can you tell me what you know about it?”

When SHE has the opportunity to explain things to YOU (and YOU remain curious and interested), her comfort, confidence, and communication skills grow. So does that connection that creates lasting benefits.

If an ice-breaker might help, start by sitting down together to watch our Prepared for Puberty class or Confident about Periods class. I can’t think of a better way to spend some quality couch time on Fathers Day! 

Did you know Girlology has grade-by-grade playlists listing on-demand video and downloadable content to support her and you through the entire journey? Learn More 

When you started your period…did someone say something about becoming a woman??

The day I got my first period, I thought I was dying because what I saw in my underwear didn’t look like what I expected a period to look like. I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on, but it didn’t look good –  I convinced myself I had cancer.

Not wanting to worry my mom, I decided to hide the evidence. But when she noticed I “wasn’t myself” and asked what was up, I burst into tears and told her the truth — I was dying. 

In her no-nonsense way, she reassured me that wasn’t the case.

Instead, she told me, “It just means you’re a woman, now.” 

Hold up. ✋🏼

Telling me that ALSO made me feel like I was dying a little — like the dirt-digging, fast-running, tree-climbing, wild dancing parts of me had to die — because the women I knew didn’t do that stuff. It made menstruation feel like the end of free-spirited fun and the beginning of boring drudgery.

Fortunately, I’m ok.

But, the more I hear from girls and moms about first period stories, the more convinced I am that this same dialogue I experienced many years ago is still happening today. 

So can we work together to reframe that conversation for the girls in our future? Let’s help everyone have a more realistic understanding of not only what a period IS, but what it means. 

When she starts her period, she’s NOT a woman. 

Instead…

• She is healthy. 
• Her body is normal and doing what it is supposed to do.
• There is no reason to be embarrassed or ashamed.
• She has a right to honest and accurate information about her body and how it works.

Most of all, she is still a girl who shares this process with millions of other girls who all manage to have periods AND carry on with all the more important things they do in life. THAT’S a superpower!

If you’re looking for some assistance providing positive messages and practical tips for new or soon-to-be menstruators, we have tons for our members. Our class, Confident About Periods is a great one to watch together! Give it a try and let us know how she’s NOT a woman. 😉

Did you know Girlology has grade-by-grade playlists listing on-demand video and downloadable content to support her and you through the entire journey? Learn More 

In another “episode” of girls vulvas are different from women’s vulvas – let’s talk about vaginal yeast infections. For adult women, yeast infections are common, annoying, but often fairly easy to treat (IF the diagnosis is correct. But if you’re self diagnosing, chances are fair that you’re wrong —  I cover that HERE.)

If you think your preteen daughter has a vaginal yeast infection, chances are extremely high you are totally wrong. But I have some important advice.

FIRST, I want you to know a few things about girls’ vaginas & vulvas that I find myself saying on repeat in my office:

• Young girls have very sensitive vulvas (sensitive to bacteria, friction, soaps, fragrance, pee, poop, and discharge when it first starts).
• Their folds and crevices accumulate normal secretions and things that they are sensitive to.
• When irritated, the vulva becomes red and itchy.

BUT Red & Itchy does not equal yeast!

As moms, we want a quick fix to save her the misery and discomfort. AND it’s normal to think she must have a yeast infection because the symptoms can be the same.

FACT: Young girls don’t get vaginal yeast infections because before puberty, the pH of their vagina won’t allow yeast to grow. It’s related to the effect of estrogen on the vaginal microbiome, but don’t let me nerd out on that right now 🤓.

WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON? 

The most common cause is hygiene (or lack of), and the cure is simple (but sometimes tough to maintain).

If she’s between diapers and puberty, the easiest solution is eliminating all potential irritants. This list is long but the biggest problems are 

• friction (tight clothes), 
• fragrances (detergents), 
• cleansers (bubble bath, soaps & shampoo), and 
• dirt (poop 💩… hygiene is hard!)
  

If puberty has arrived in the form of breast buds, the most likely cause of vulvar irritation is her new vaginal discharge which can be irritating to her sensitive vulva especially before hair fills in to provide some protection.

SO WHAT WILL HELP?

She should wash with ONLY water  – please, no baking soda, vinegar or other “anti-itch concoctions” – they can worsen her symptoms) and teach her to make sure those crevices and folds aren’t hanging on to any “stuff.” 

If she’s using soap or shampoo in a tub, make sure her vulva gets a final, thorough, water-only rinse. 

Next, make sure to pat dry or if she’s severely irritated, air dry or dry with a blow dryer set on warm or cool.

Finally, apply simple petroleum jelly (like Vaseline or Aquaphor) or a more soothing fragrance-free diaper rash ointment that contains zinc oxide (my favorite is A&D ointment with zinc – this is not a sponsored recommendation; I just really like the product for my patients). These are soothing barriers that will protect her sensitive skin from irritants.

If you’ve tried these things for a week or two and it’s not getting better, definitely talk with her provider. There are skin conditions (such as lichen sclerosis, psoriasis, eczema, and skin infections) that won’t respond and need different treatments.

Did you know Girlology has grade-by-grade playlists listing on-demand video and downloadable content to support her and you through the entire journey? Learn More 

😂Whether you’re watching our on-demand puberty program with her from the comfort of your couch or you’re attending an in-person Girlology program offered by your local Girlologist, I want to share some insider information.

There will be plenty of facts dropped and jokes floated, but do you best to pay attention to the “feel good” moments.

After teaching our girls’ puberty programs to thousands of girls and their caregivers for 15+ years, these are the moments I love to watch. Most often, they show up in facial expressions or body language, but sometimes you’ll find them in their laughter or whispers. 

So if you’re ready to get started with our Level 3 playlist that introduces her to the basic puberty topics or you’ve diving right into the our full puberty class with her, keep an eye out for some of these things. I hope they warm your ❤️ and remind you that you’re doing a great job by making sure she’s informed and prepared. 

• the way she reluctantly walks in (or agrees to watch), but quickly becomes comfortable. 😂

   

   

• how truly curious she is about her body and how it works. 🤔

   

   

• those sighs of relief as she discovers she’s normal and not alone. 😅

   

   

• her “oh!” and “aha!” moments when she “gets” how period products work. 💡

   

   

• The giggles that bubble up as she realizes these chats don’t have to be so serious! 😆

   

   

• the nods and knowing glances she shoots you as we chat about friendships and moods. 😏

   

   

• the emotional connection you feel during this shared experience. 😥

   

   

• and the way she leans into you or reaches out for a sweet touch that lets you know this is meaningful. 💕

Sharing this class truly creates connection. It also serves as an ice-breaker and a springboard for so many future chats. We hear from parents all the time that they watched a class with their daughter, and it strengthened their connection because they were talking more comfortably and frequently about changing bodies and minds. When that happens, you are way more likely to become her trusted go-to, and that is so protective.

So watch for the feel-good moments for YOU, and take comfort in knowing SHE will enter puberty and adolescence with greater confidence knowing what’s ahead.

You’re doing a great job!

Did you know Girlology has grade-by-grade playlists listing on-demand video and downloadable content to support her and you through the entire journey? Learn More