Explaining Puberty to your Daughter
We’ve all been there, yet most of us could do with some advice on how to help our daughters through puberty. Here’s how to talk, support and guide her through the highs and lows.
Knowledge is power
Puberty starts long before a girl’s first period
Are boobs the first sign of puberty?
Tantrums aren’t just for toddlers
Don’t be surprised when you say something to your daughter that’s perfectly harmless, and it causes her to burst into tears and storm out of the room. As adults, we can find certain situations trigger uncomfortable feelings. Now imagine how it feels for your child, who’s dealing with so many changes all at once.
During puberty, brains make new cells and develop different ways of thinking that can make your child feel out of control, overwhelmed and misunderstood.
So how can you help your daughter deal with these emotional storms? It’s not easy seeing her angry or sad, and it can make you feel just as confused as she does. Most parents know that parenting is a hard job, but still feel like failures for not being able to fix problems and lift moods in an instant.
One question to avoid is: “Why are you acting so crazy?” That will only make your daughter feel much more alone, and far less understood. Try to find out what’s at the root of the frustration, and encourage her to share how she’s feeling. If you’re stuck about what to say, and the situation is getting heated, then calmly suggest that you both take five minutes time out. Make it clear that you’re not punishing or abandoning your child. Instead, explain that a bit of breathing space is what’s needed.

Spot the differences and share the experiences
Just as fashion and music tastes have changed since you were a teen, so too have the things your daughter does and the way she communicates. If you want to share what you went through, use “I” so that you’re not speaking for her. Show that you understand how things were different when you were younger, and be curious about things your daughter is going through now. This will hopefully encourage her to own her experiences and feelings.
Because life is both rocky and smooth, it’s wise to share the positive and negative parts of puberty, because these will be more real and relatable for your daughter. A little bit of humor here and there could be just the thing to break the ice. If you are a mom and can recall the horror of your first bra (Where did you buy it? How did it feel? How did it look?) then go ahead. Puberty might be a serious business, but there’s still plenty of room for laughter.
Take time, make time
It’s hard. You may work full-time, have other children, or lots of commitments – sometimes all three. But even ten minutes together snatched here or there can make all of the difference when it comes to supporting your daughter.
Don’t necessarily wait until she starts asking questions – she might be looking to you to kick off the more difficult conversations. Be brave. Part of being an adult is facing the things you find uncomfortable. Even if your daughter seems embarrassed, your courage will pay off in the long run.
A walk, drive in the car, or cup of tea at the kitchen table – time for just the two of you where you won’t be interrupted – is ideally what you need. Some things should be spoken about behind closed doors, not because they are shameful, but because a quiet space is what your daughter will want if she’s to talk openly and honestly.
If a question really perplexes you, say you’ll get back to it when you’ve done your research, or had time to think. And make sure you do. Your daughter will feel far more comfortable having these intimate chats if she senses that you’re taking her seriously, by responding with care and consideration.
Look after yourself
Remember, it’s not just your daughter who needs support. As a parent, you can only do your job well if you know how to look after yourself. It’s a good idea to chat with other parents you trust and feel close to. Just the very act of sharing similar experiences will be a comfort, as you give and gain advice around the trickier parts of parenthood.
When you’re feeling low, picking up the phone to a friend might seem really difficult, but it’s more than likely just the thing you need. And if you show your child that you often ask other people for support and advice, they’ll feel more inclined to do the same, and open up about the things they’re finding difficult.