August 26, 2010 8:33 AM
Preparing girls for puberty
Sometimes when my email gets backed up, moms end up doing the research for me :)
Received in March:
Hi Barbara, Any suggestions on books to help explain puberty to a nine year girl that does not contradict Catholic teaching? Thanks.Jane
Feeling pretty lame, I wrote back four months later:
Hi Jane -I've been so behind on email and am trying hard to catch up :)
Did you ever find an answer to this question? I can run it at my blog for suggestions. I'm sure others would like to know too
love,
barbara
Barbara -This book was one that many people suggested: The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library)
.
I think its great. There is a whole series of American Girl books that my daughter has been gobbling up.
thanks Barbara.
Jane
As you can see below, Amazon has copies available for as little as .49 (plus shipping). Also, don't forget if you belong to Paperback Swap you can put it on your wish list:
You will also notice, if you link to Amazon, suggestions for similar books.
One way to weed your way through is to read the customer reviews. I always rely on this when shopping at Amazon - and I especially read the negative reviews. As you will see, there are 363 5-star reviews for The Body Book for Girls, which of course doesn't mean a lot. I went to the two one-star reviews, and liked what Jessica Gottlieb wrote:
Okay there's some stuff in here worth reading but when you get to the picture of how to insert tampons I decided that it's not a book for my daughter at this age.Before handing this book over to your kid be certain that it's information that you want her to have.
There's a lot of value in these discussions but at 9 my daughter is too young for some of what's in here.
It is also a book that will assist you in your parenting. It should not be mistaken for a book you toss at your kid in lieu of a discussion.
That's the bottom line, moms (and dads) - whatever books you choose are only helps in your personal discussion with your children. Tripp and I kept the books we used to teach our kids in our room and brought them out for discussion - which goes with what we were trying to teach our children about the sacredness of gender differences. sex and the building of families. These weren't books just to be lying around with books about trucks and trains and animals and the Wild West.
Please share books and ideas that have worked for you in the comments.
Posted in Books, Girls, Mothering | Permalink
Comments
I'm glad to see that recommendation. My daughter is next in line, but I've got two books in mind for my son (he's the oldest). One is Greg Popcak's Beyond the Birds and the Bees. The other book is the Joyful Mysteries of Life by Catherine and Bernard Scherrer. These were both recommended to me. I haven't had a chance to read either of them yet.
Posted by: Sherry C. | August 26, 2010 9:07 AM
I'm keeping my eyes out for boy and girl books, but it seems like this is an area of need. I would love to find something really positive and focused on God's blessings!
Posted by: Shannon Miller | August 26, 2010 12:38 PM
My oldest daughter is about to turn nine. I have been researching these types of books as well. I found a wonderful Catholic set of books called All Things Girl. The website is www.atgseries.com. There is also a series running on EWTN about the books. You should definitely check these out!
Blessings,
Jenn
Posted by: Jenn Faas | August 26, 2010 8:20 PM
