I am 25 now and I have never been on any sort of organic diet or anything like that. I started my period at 9 and developed breasts before I was 12. Maybe it just happens that way.

I started my period when I was 10, in fifth grade. I was wearing an almost A-cup and my fellow classmates called me "Dolly Parton." It sucked. I was skinny, ate normal food, my family grew up with TV's that died every six months so we rarely watched TV. I got a lot of exercise. It just happened. Sadly it also stunted my growth. Until I started my period I was always the tallest in my class. My parents are tall and my brothers are both 12 inches taller than me.
As far as I can tell, it was just the way my body decided to do things. This was 20 years ago, so there was no such thing as organic then, although we did grow a lot of our own food, with fertalizers!

I started my period in 4th grade, and I clearly remember throwing my stained underwear at my mother and wailing, "I don't want it!" So I'm not sure I'm one to answer your question. But developing breasts in 3rd grade was a sure way to end my completely innocent phase of life, since not just boys but men started staring at me all the time. I think it's hard on young girls going through this at such a young age. For my part,with my 6 year old daughter, I'm trying the following:

No Hannah Montana. She has time to obsess on being a teenager later, like when she's a tweenager.

No playdates at homes where there are pubescent boys in the home. Those girls with brothers can play at our house, I don't want their brothers to have access to my girl.

Little girl toys, parties, tv shows and conversations. I'm not in a hurry for her to have the toys that are marked for older children, I had a tea party for her birthday party, and we don't watch PG and higher tv when she's awake.

I guess what I'm saying is, they're probably going to go into early puberty. You'll probably feel strange about it. But we can protect what early childhood they still have by helping them stay little girls. I'm not conservative politically, I'm not a church goer. Some people might say their kids like those shows, toys and boys instinctively. But I believe that we allow the power of popular culture to sweep over us and confuse us in regards as to what's appropriate for our daughters. I'm trying to stand strong for my girl and let her enjoy the magic of innocence for as long as possible.

Thank you all for taking the time to post your very thought provoking comments.

We also eat all organics and hormone free meat. We don't eat a lot of meat or fat. My daughter is not overweight nor sedative. She is 11 and has started her period. I was 14. I was fed a diet high in fat and had little to no excercise. I do not agree with the statements that it is fat and no excercise causing. I think it is because overall we are healthier and live longer than our ancestors. In times past, when there was famine and sickness ( like during the depression) girls started puberty when in their late teens.

I'm glad I ran across this message board area. I have two girls, one 12 and one 7. My 12 year old started her period at 9 and has developed 38 C breasts and they are still growing...in my opinion.

My wife breastfeed both girls for the first 2 years of their life, took prenatal pills and we try to keep their diets as fruit and vegetable ladden as possible...organic or not. My 12 year old is tall, slightly overweight but not fat by any means, but her breasts seem to be so large that they are the first things you see when you see her.

It saddens me to think about how cruel kids can be at this age and I know she is self conscience about them as well. She really isn't aware of how guys react to her as I try to minimize her alone time in situations like that.

She's such a great kid and has a great heart and I just wish I knew why she would grow this quickly and hit puberty so fast. I feel like she has been slightly cheated of her childhood having grown so quickly. I'm already seeing signs that her 7 year old sister is starting to develop in her chest area as well.
Am I overreacting? It just makes me very sad for them and wish there was something I could do.

Thanks for listening and letting me vent...

Dear Edward,

Oh my goodness...38C? That's a lot for a woman of any age to handle nonetheless a 12 year old! By the tone and language of your comments, you sound like a sensitive, caring, insightful dad who will, and is, doing his best to help his daughters transition into adulthood. That transition is never easy at any rate my friend despite obstacles such as these. I wish I had had a dad like you.

Your eldest daughter does sound like she has matured physically beyond her years. It makes me sad to hear these kind of stories too. These youngs girls have a lot to deal with when all they really should be handling are some monkey bars at the local park.

Best of luck and thanks for sharing,
I love concerned commenters,
Sherry Davey

Hi Sherry,

Thanks for the kind words :) You are right in that she should be on the monkey bars...as she attempts to do things like sports and the like, because she is so top heavy, it tends to be more of a hinderance and make any sport she tries uncomfortable and awkard.

Being an athlete for most of my life, I feel bad for her because she most likely won't follow through and be on a team just because of this. I had some of my best childhood (and adult) memories through sports.

Anyway, thanks again for commenting.

Edward

i completely disagree with the "high fat diet/ little exercise theory". I was such a late bloomer (15!) I thought I'd never get it. P.S. I had one of the most unhealthy diets growing up--was not athletic in the slightest, my parents knew nothing @ organics--for God's sake I lived in a smoke filled house and our town was very industrial. When I think back to all the chemicals around growing up-I can't believe I'm not dead!!

So, it stumps the hell out of me when my 8 yr. old, who is 4ft 6 in., 68 lbs., extremely athletic, (i'm talking ALL sports) and who consumes an almost totally organic diet, completely organic dairy, mostly organic fruits/veggies--and at the very least, antibiotic/hormone free meat--began to discover recently that she is waking in the morning with putrid underarm odor. Oh, and she bathes Every single night, and also showers in the morning (after noticing this.) She is excited to start using deodorant (all-natural, aluminum and paraben-free, of course). I, however, must admit, my less-than-thrilled attitude towards my firstborn entering the realm of womanhood while in many ways still a BABY!!!! This is totally incomprehensible to my poor husband (who also has our now 4 yr. old to spend the next few years stressing over.) I know many in this similar predicament who , like me, want some better answers, not loose theories. Good luck out there.

I'm a 12 year old girl who skates competitively. In order to be competitive my coach gives me shots in the groin to stop my estrogen from working and starting puberty. He says I can pass any blood test because the shots don't develop muscle. Because of where the shots are nobody will see needle marks and ask questions. The result is that I'm the only girl in my class who has not entered puberty at all. This makes me and my coach very happy. I can jump and spin much better because I don't have any fatty tissue that comes with puberty. I make sure I eat all my nutrients and get enough sleep. I'm much happier than the other girls who are developed.