American Girl: The Care & Keeping of You; The Body Book for Girls

Oh it is about that time. It is time for me to do my duty as a mom. It is time for me to share the joys of our changing bodies to my daughter. I cannot say I am super excited about this. I cannot say I am looking forward to this. I will not say I am going to feel comfortable about this at all.

She is 9. We are a bit early. But I need for her to be prepared for when things start happening and plus, stuff is happening to her friends. Like girl bumps and things growing in places. I remember how girls are. They tell each other things. & none of them are entirely accurate either. I want her to be way more prepared then I was. Let's be honest I freaked out when I first started....I either wasn't paying attention during "the movie" or no one said a thing to me. Either way when it was my turn I was absolutely unprepared for it to happen and totally scared outta my mind. I thought I was dying. Then to be laughed at by my mom like I should know what was happening to me and thrown a pad.....um, yeah, do not want that for my girl!

My darling daughter is the type of child who worries and over thinks things. So I need to get to her before her friends do and mis-inform her. She is not showing very many signs just yet. She is getting taller and the most I can see as a change is her legs are getting some definition. She does not stink. Her hair is not greasy. No bumps or things. As a matter of fact I think she could be like me and not start anything until middle school. But again, her friends are already changing.........

So I was talking to some of my friends lamenting over this new phase in our lives and that I am not looking forward to. (I am so not ready for my baby to grow up!) When a few of my friends suggested I get the American Girl: The Care & Keeping of You; The Body Book for Girls. I thought to myself could it be that simple? But then really what will it say?

I shared my dilemma with my girlfriend and being on the same page (& sharing a brain) she and I started our quest for this book for our daughters. She found and picked up the books for us, which I have in my hot little hand.

During our search we also found a companion journal for the book. American Girl: The Care & Keeping of You Journal. So naturally both our girls now have a copy of that as well.

Browsing through the book and journal I get the gist on how the book is set up. They start with basic body care. Things you and I take for granted. Like showering and washing our face and hair. How all of this is going to increase. So I am reading. I love the introduction... "During puberty you'll grow up and out, and not all parts will grow at the same rate." Duh. But this is important information for a growing/changing girl. She is not going to know this and she is going to compare herself to others. Maintaining her self image is very important to me. She is a sweet girl and everyone loves her. If she is going to be a late bloomer like me then she could feel left out of conversations like I did. Girls whisper among one another and unless you are in "the club" you are not going to know what to expect. It is like child birth, you do not know what to expect until it happens and then you are going to scream for a lot of painkillers!

So reading through the book I really like the topics; odor control, to shaving, to growing body parts to maintaining a healthy happy body through diet and exercise. I especially love how the book describes eating disorders and how to avoid them by eating properly. All through the book it reminds the reader that if they have any questions to ask their mom, aunt, teacher..... Reminding them they are not alone.

The journal works well with the book. Every topic in the book is covered in the journal. It teaches the reader to pay attention to their bodies and practice good up keeping of it. While the journal is not an imperative companion to the book, I feel it is an excellent tool for young girls when learning of their bodies. All-in-all I am happy with both purchases and definitely recommend them.

Now when it is the boys turn.....Hubby gets to talk to him when it is time!!!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa