If you have girls in your household, you might be like me – scared to death of them growing up and having to discuss the, um, sensitive topics that girls deal with. 🙂 ha!!
Well, this book, The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library) helped us tremendously in our household!! I am actually excited to share this with you…whereas a few months ago, I would have admitted that I was terrified!!
This book, put out by American Girl, is recommended for girls ages 8 and up. As you probably know, our girls are 8yrs and 7yrs. At first, I was going to just have one-on-one time with each girl and do this book separately with both of them. But, then I had the thought that they might be a little more talkative and learn a little more if they were together. And it has worked beautifully!!
We took this book and went through 1 chapter at a time over a period of a few months time. This week we got to the end of the book and we made it! I’m still alive! ha!
The book starts off very gently by going over basic body parts and how they work, what they do for us, etc. Things like eyesight, brushing our teeth, taking care of our bodies. Then, it moves ever so gently into the topic of puberty. It discusses things like body odor, hair in new places and then getting your first period. (sorry, but we are all grown ups here, right?) 🙂
I am SO glad that I read this book with my girls BEFORE any of these things started happening to their bodies! It wasn’t awkward at all, they didn’t know to be embarrassed, they asked lots of questions and overall it went SO well!! Now we have opened the lines of communication and I pray that in the future, when their bodies do start changing, that they won’t be scared or nervous, but will be prepared and knowledgeable. And, my prayer is that they will feel comfortable coming to me with more questions, since we have already talked about it several times.
Now, my next question is, what book do you read AFTER this one?? My girls were sad to see this book end!! wow!! So, I’d like to continue this “girl time” with them and am wondering if there are more good girly books out there like this…discussing things that they will be facing as they grow, etc. Any suggestions?
P.S. There are a few rather graphic drawings/cartoons on certain pages of this book, so always preview books like this to see what you are comfortable with. 🙂
I really like this book too. I read through it before giving it to her but I haven’t read through the book completely with my daughter. She has read through the whole thing (I hardly ever get a chance to finish books with her she takes them and read them on her own) and has asked me questions. I love that she is prepared for the changes that will be coming and isn’t embarrassed about any of those topics.
We actually have a number of the American Girl library of books. The one about manners is good and I am giving the feelings book to her for her 9th birthday. There is one about beauty which I liked and gave to a niece for Christmas. She loved it. I need to get another one for my daughter.
I hope you get a few more ideas in books. I am always happy to hear what has worked for others.
You are the 3rd person to recommend this book! I’ve been nervous about covering these topics too, but I’m glad to know there are some gentle resources out there. Guess we’ll be adding this to the library soon too! ;o)
We have this book! I really like it, my husband is the one freaking out. LOL But, my oldest daughter is 9.5 and it’s time to read it! As far as what to read after… I don’t know! I will be watching to see what you come up with. 🙂
My daughter enjoyed this book and it opened the door to many productive conversations!
We haven’t gone over this with our 8.5yo (or our 6yo either obviously then) yet. I’m scared to do it but I need to. I’ll have to check this book out. Thanks for the great review and recommendation.
Thanks for this recommendation, Candace! Since my eldest is 6 and her sister is only 18 months behind her, it’s something I have to start thinking about! (I’m sad and scared at the same time. 😉 )
My daughter read this a couple of years ago, but I had her dig it out again and she completed a health type scrapbook using the materials found here: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/care_and_keeping_of_you.php
It turned out really cute and was a good refresher for her.
I purchased that book for Leigha a few years ago and she LOVES it! She is always using it as a resource and telling me things that she is reading. Also, I have started the Secret Keeper book with her. It is a series of “dates with you daughter” that touch on health, modesty, purity etc. I have yet to complete the first one but hope to continue them.
This book looks great. My husband did “Passport to Purity” by Dennis & Barbara Rainey when our oldest son turned 10. It was really good. I plan to do it with our girls and he plans to do it with our other sons when they reach that age. I highly recommend it. They have a special girl section and a special boy section to touch on the different issues for each :). Thanks for your recommendation, I think it is a good intro. to this topic!