Your daughter has started her period.  Now, in the same place where the little girl with bows in her hair stood – is a pseudo woman.  It can be bittersweet to realize just how fast your daughter is growing up.  As a parent, it is extremely important to welcome the changes and to help your daughter transition into womanhood feeling accepted and loved.I don't want to grow up

It is also important to try and take a step back and realize what your daughter may be feeling.  For so many girls, the onset of menstruation comes seemingly too early in life.  Suddenly, they are dealing with extremely ‘adult’ things such as picking out bras and handling periods during a time in their life when they were perfectly comfortable dressing up Barbies and playing outside.  In your daughter’s mind, the start of her periods alerts her to the fact that she is in fact growing up.  And this realization can be both welcome and frightening for a young girl.

A lot of parents notice that menstruation brings many changes in their daughter’s demeanor.  Some girls react to the news that they started their period with glee and excitement, hardly being able to contain the fact that they finally get to wear a bra.  Other girls may react quite the opposite and feel embarrassed or ashamed by all the physical changes – and stressed by the sudden ‘push’ into adulthood.

You may notice that your daughter might be quicker to anger.  She may become resentful, or even show signs of depression at the onset of her menstrual cycles.  This is only due to the fact that she feels conflicted about whether or not she is still a little girl – or a woman.  Many kids, do not want to grow up and see the start of something like a period as a gateway into adulthood.  They may feel forced to give up childish things like Barbies or toys, or fear that their parents won’t love them same now that they are ‘growing up.’  It is also perfectly normal for parents to see some regression from their daughters.  For instance, your daughter may suddenly want to sit on your lap or be treated with the kid gloves that parents routinely use for toddlers.

How your daughter reacts to her period largely depends on her personality.  It also has a lot to do with how well (or poorly) her loved ones usher her through this gateway.  Your daughter likely wants to remain a child for as long as she possibly can. Remember that just because she is menstruating, doesn’t mean that she is all grown up.  Your best bet as a parent is to allow her to take the lead and then follow. Compassionately.

It’s a good idea to remind your daughter that she will always be your little girl, no matter how big – or how many periods she has.  While she may not understand exactly how you feel – it will certainly help her transition through these years and embrace growing up more effectively.

Change, no matter how old you are, can be difficult.  For your daughter, experiencing so many changes at once can be difficult.  Remember, she is still just a child.