How to talk to your daughter about sex, periods and STD’s.
Start Talking: A Girl’s Guide for You and Your Mom about Health, Sex, or Whatever is THE book with all the answers for you and your daughter. Written by psychotherapist Mary Jo Rapini (of TLC’s series Big Medicine) and OB/GYN nurse practitioner Janine J. Sherman, Start Talking lays out chapter by chapter all the information you need to know about such topics as menstruation, birth control, sex and STD’s.
I learned so much from this book while I was reading it. And I regretted I didn’t know about Start Talking when my daughter was younger. It would have made certain conversations so much easier. To compensate I plan on giving a copy to my sister who has an 8 year old daughter.
Each chapter has the same format. Information about the particular topic is thoroughly explained in the text and with simple drawings. The authors also provide real life stories from patients they have treated. A series of questions that a daughter or mom may ask about the topic are then presented with the authors providing answers and scripts on how to approach the topic with each other. This is nicely exhibited in the ‘Table Talk’ section of each chapter.
Both being doctors (and mothers of daughters), the authors also stress the importance of girls having a health provider that they can trust. Although we hope that our daughters will always share what is going on with their bodies with us, that might not always be the case. Your daughter may be embarrassed about something as simple as a yeast infection and having a relationship with a doctor before any issues arise is important. In the end, our daughter’s health and well-being is the main goal.
Mary Jo Rapini and Janine Sherman do not shy away from any topic in this book – date rape to eating disorders is discussed in a way that provides information and gives you confidence to approach the topic with your daughter. You can read the book with her or pass it back and forth and have discussions or ‘table talks’ about the different topics. I would highly recommend this book to every mom with a daughter.
Leave a comment about this blog post and enter to win a copy of Start Talking: A Girl’s Guide for You and Your Mom about Health, Sex, or Whatever. Comments must be left by 12 midnight PST on Friday, May 11th, 2012.
Love to win,this my daughter just turned 10!!
Hi Katy – 10 is definitely the perfect age to start these conversations!
My oldest granddaughter just turned 11 and will be spending the summer with us. Would love to win this, as I plan on discussing these very topics with her. Thanks for the offer!
Thanks for the comment Beverly, you sound like a great grandma!
My daughter is at the beginning stages of puberty so I would like to arm myself with as much information possible so we can both navigate this in the most healthy and honest way possible.
Hi Christine, thanks for the comment. It is important that all this information comes from moms first.
I have 2 daughters, 9 and 13, and could sure use this book. I’m also a girl scout leader to 3rd grade girls and we will likely have one of our meetings next year about this subject. The book could be a very valuable reference for us!
Hi Stephanie, sounds like you’re a busy mom who really cares!
I have three daughters (10, 8-1/2 and 7) and these conversations are right around the corner. Anything that will help me articulate in an honest, age-appropriate way is WELCOMED! This book sounds perfect. Thank you for offering it!
Hi Lori, you will definitely need help with three daughters! Thanks for your comment.
Sounds like the perfect book…my daughter is 12
It is a great book. Thanks for your comment Anna.
It saddens me that my 10 yo is already exhibiting signs of pms and I would welcome, actually love, a copy of this book!