- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preteenagers today articles
- preteenagers today q&a
- teenagers today articles
- teenagers today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Expert Q&A
 |  |  |
| By Chris Crutcher Author, Licensed Child and Family Therapist | ||
 |
How can I communicate with my daughter about the serious issues facing her as she grows up?
One thing that can help is telling stories (brief) about you and your friends at her age, MINUS the moral. You tell those kinds of stories organically; in other words, when they come up naturally.
Good books about girls going through it can be effective also. Make them available, don't make them "have-to" reads.
And straight talk. Tell her what you're worried about. Tell her what YOU worried about then. Let her know you get it, let her know it's embarrassing for you, too, and if there's any way to inject humor, inject humor.
Related Expert Q&A
- My 10-year-old is threatening to run away. What can I do to make sure that doesn't happen?
- My 11-year-old still sucks his thumb. What can I do about this?
- My son says "um" a lot when talking. Any tips on getting him to stop?
- I've been told my daughter uses too many "filler words." What does this mean?
- Every other word out of my daughter's mouth seems to be "like." It drives me nuts! What can I do about it?
More Answers by this Expert
- We recently moved into a new neighborhood, and my 8-year-old son has made friends with the 13-year-old boy next door. They share a common interest in sports, but I am reluctant to encourage the friendship because of the age difference. What should I do?
- Should I wait to tell my son about his complicated adoption until he is 18?
- My husband says an adopted child will feel inferior to our biological children. How can I argue that?
- Some classmates are teasing my son, and I am worried my son will gain a negative image of our family and adoption. What should I do?
- My daughter is getting married and she wants both her adoptive dad – my husband – and her biological father involved. How do I guide her in this? How do we word things on the program?