Puberty? Already??

Two weeks ago while we were at the pediatrician's office for Harper's strep throat, we were forced to endure a long wait...2 hours to be exact. What can I say? There were a lot of sick kids out there. And if it weren't for the fact that we were leaving for vacation the very next day, I would have stormed out of the office after demanding the very first appointment for the next day. But, my hands were tied...

Emma had no difficulty finding something to read to wile away the time. While she was leafing through the informational booklets, she came across one that piqued her curiosity...Puberty in Girls.

WHAT? Are. You. Kidding? She's too young for that I tell her. "No, I'm not" she tells me and continues by reading an excerpt from the pamphlet. "Sometime between age 8 and 13, your body begins to change. This is called puberty." she reads. She's quick to point out, "I'll be 8 in 6 months". Yes, how could I forget that day in May 2002 when I gave birth to my first born with no drugs, no picturesque distractions and no energy to scream at my husband?

Anyway...OMG! Now I'm thinking I'm too young for this!! For some reason, Emma thinks puberty ranks up there with a trip to Disney World. Yeah. OK.

I can remember many (too many) years ago, most of my peers experiencing puberty around age 11 or 12. I, of course, was a late bloomer at 16. I can recall wanting, in the worst way, to wear a bra in 5th grade. My mom argued with me, trying to reason that there was no need for a bra. But eventually, she gave in. I'm learning, as my mother already knew, that sometimes it's easier to cave than to argue my point. We pick our battles.

Later that day we talk a bit about puberty. I don't go into many details. After all, she's in second grade. She should be thinking about Build-A-Bear not Build-A-Bra. Eventually, the time will come when puberty has much more relevance in her life. But for now, I steer her towards to bedwetting pamphlet as it's a little more relevant than puberty!