Dear Dr. Sylvia,

My oldest daughter is 8 years old, and in the past few months her father and I have noticed her blossoming. Is this a normal age for that? It seems early, but I think I matured much later than most girls. Also, should my husband not help in giving her baths anymore? He feels she's a little too grown up now.

We've also noticed that she has started to have a little body odor. I bought her one of those teen deodorants that smells like berries. Is this OK? It's amazing how much you forget about your childhood!

Some girls mature as early as 8, and the best predictor of early or late maturity is usually a girl's mother. Obviously, that doesn't always hold true. Your husband should definitely discontinue bathing your daughter, and the deodorant is appropriate at this time.

Your daughter also needs some explanation about the whole growing up process. An appropriate book for early maturing girls that will help you and her with both the grooming and the growing is "The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls" (Valorie Lee Schaefer, AmericanGirl Library).

Be sensitive to the fact that the time between the beginning of girls' physical changes to menstruation could vary from six months to two years, and psychological maturity does not necessarily happen as quickly as physical maturity. Your daughter needs to be treated as a typical 8-year-old, and will feel pressured if you treat her in a too-adult fashion.

Dr. Sylvia Rimm,Phd

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