How do I discuss this topic with my daughter so she understands what is going to be happening to her physically and emotionally? Her pediatrician feels that I should be preparing her for this, as she is showing many symptoms of early puberty.

I would explain to her that her body is changing and she is starting to become a young lady, and she will have some things that happen to her.

The explain that her chest will begin to change and she will grow breasts kind of like a grown up woman has. It's nothing to be ashamed of and she will need to wear a bra to support them.

Then explain that she will begin to grow hair in places she didn't have it before. That is normal to and all grown up women grow hair there.

Then, menstruation. Explain to her that about once a month, girls that are growing up and have come to puberty get their period. It's just blood that would be used to help a baby grow (if you've explained to her that a mommy and daddy make a baby and it grows in the tummy), but since she's too young to be a mommy, her body gets rid of that blood and that's where her period comes from. Then teach her to use menstrual pads and later on tampons when she is a little older if you wish.

Tell her it's not dangerous, it's not something to be afraid of. All girls grow up and she should be proud and not ashamed, and she should begin to take responsibility for things like her body since she is growing up now.

You could take her out to the movies and lunch. Just you and her...

Tell her that as she is growing her body is changing, basically the truth

Tell her that she is growing breasts like a woman, that she will begin to grow hair in her private areas, if she has not already.

Let her know that one day she may see some blood in her panties, and if she does, that's okay. Let her know that it happens to you too and that it is a sign that she is growing up and it is normal and she should come to you or the school nurse when it happens.

Understand too, that it takes approximately 2 years after breast buds begin to develop for menarche to begin.

I told my daughter all about it around that age, she started when she was 12. Just be open and honest with her.

You may want to start by asking her if she knows what having a period is... you may be surprised.

My mom explained it to me when I was around 10, I got my period when I was abuot 12.

She spent the day taking me out to buy bras, and we had lunch and chatted, and then we went to the grocery and I got to buy myself some pads to use when the time came. She let me pick out any color I wanted haha, then she also got some that were decent. XD

I think 8 years old is a bit early to explain that kind of stuff... but that's just my opinion. I think 10 or 11 is more appropriate.

I think 8 years old is a bit early to explain that kind of stuff

Do you have a daughter? Children are coming into puberty earlier and earlier these days. There is nothing wrong with slowly filling a child in with future health experiences. Many girls these days have their periods at 8 or 9, if they don't know what is happening they may think they are dying. I speak from experience.

I think 8 years old is a bit early to explain that kind of stuff... but thats just my opinion. I think 10 or 11 is more appropriate.

Sorry no 8 is closer to right, many girls start at 9 or 10 now adays.
The last thing you want is for her to be like a neighbor girl of our who ran to our house thinking she was dying because no one ever told her about the changes in life.

Kids 10 and 12 are sometimes , not often, but some are even having sex, just read some of the posts of the 12 and 13 year old having babies we get here from time to time.

Open honest talks about our bodies are never wrong

Fr_chuck: I didn't say it was "wrong" to talk about it early, it was just MY opinion. Which we are all intitled to.

And no I don't have a daughter, but when I do I'm not going to tell her until 10 or 11. Everyone is different. I didn't start mine until I was 16!

Well what if your daughter starts hers at 9?

It's not YOUR choice when to tell her, it's nature's choice when she starts ouberty, sogood luck with that.

I doubt it. My grandmother started at 16, my mom at 15 1/2 and me at 16.

I think you have all the reasons to do it now. Is there harm. I doubt it. I'm not sure you would want your uninformed daughter to be freaked out by the sight of blood.

Does she even know what a tampon or sanitary pads are? Has she seen the special disposal recepticles in the ladies room or asked about them?

There is always the joke concerning male children buying tampons. They saw a commercial that they can swim and play sports with them and they couldn't do any of these.

True story: A foreign employee went to the drugstore and asked for a rubber. He wanted an eraser.

I'm male: I had a female friend in college who would invite me into the main ladies bathroom with multiple stalls while she was fixing her hair, brushing her teeth etc. No complaints. I was being chaparoned. I also lived in a co-ed dorm. A couple of girls liked to take their shower in the men's bathroom because it was closer. No one complained. Their was one instance, one I didn't participate in, was a bunch of guys played "mud football" and they decided to shower in the women's room.

I've been in a theater where the line for the ladies room was so long, that the lady went into the mens room.

How do I discuss this topic with my daughter so she understands what is going to be happening to her physically and emotionally? Her pediatrician feels that I should be preparing her for this, as she is showing many symptoms of early puberty.
I was 10 going on 11 when I had started my period. My mom just figured I knew everything listening to the "girls" talking as I have 3 nurses in my family. I DID NOT! When my period started my mom wasn't home but my dad was! I had never been so horrified in my life. Not only did I not really understand, I was NOT about to ask my dad.
If your daughter is showing any signs of maturing physically or showing any interest then now would be the time to start talking.
I have a daughter who is 9 now and though I have told her a little I realize that she can get a little embarrassed about it. I have heard that there are some good books. Find one that comes recommended and read it first then go from there. We have trouble letting our kids grow up but the reality is... you can't be with her every minute of every day and you definitely don't want her ending up in a very uncomfortable position. Read... decide where you feel comfortable starting and go from there. She'll listen and then she'll ask questions. Be honest. An informed person even a child will surprise you.
Good Luck and Good Luck on this part of the parenting journey!

As long as you are honest with her but don't scare her. Like everyone here says be honest with her. I didn't have my cycle until I was 12. But my mom had explained to me what will happen and that she was there for me and when it happened I knew who I could run to and talk about it. Just let you daughter know that it is normal and that you will always be there for her when it happens. Don't be TOO graphic with her considering she is only 8 yrs be simple and basic. Good luck