I think it's normal. I got my period at 11. One of my sister's was at 10. One of my daughters was 11, another was 12. Everyone has a different maturity rate and I wouldn't worry about it, but if you have not already done so, you should have an open dialogue about these subjects so that she has an understanding about what is happening within her body. I know it feels like it is taking away from her time to just be a child, but I know many who were her age when their bodies started to change including myself... and it didn't stop me from being a kid.. I was still my tom-boy self for a few years afterward.... still can be at times lol

Every girl is different...I find girls going through puberty earlier these days...I was a very early bloomer...seems to run in the family...I was 9 years old when I had my period...and yes it was really rough...I was already developing and wearing a bra...but my mother helped alot..she prepared me well....yes I got teased alot in school because I was early....the kids use to say I stuffed my bra...I dealt with it with the help of my mom...let's face it kids get picked on for anything....kids can be so cruel....but it also didn't stop me from being a kid...it was just something I would have to deal with...best advice my mom gave me was this is how it was going to be and told me to be proud of who I was...all those kids were just jealous because they were ignorant...the teasing eventually stopped once I ignored it.

It is perfectly normal. My 8 yr old daughter has major leg hair. I hope that you let your daughter know that it is normal and it means that she is growing up. if you point these changes in her body as a negative thing then she will be self conscious and it should be a celebration of maturity. Yes she is young to maybe get the full understanding of it but just make it a positive and wonderful time in her life. My mom got her periond when she was 9! You will find that between now and age 12 her body will catchup...like her chest I mean. I had body hair when I was 12.

Wow I had no idea girls got their periods so early. We have already started the talking about hygeine and what changes are happening to her. Thank you all for sharing and I feel so much better knowing she's not abnormal and to think my baby is growing up and becoming a woman before she's finished being a child - because you know how us Mums think at times ... lol Thanks again Ladies.

I've read in several places that girls are often going through puberty earlier now because of all the hormones in the meat they eat, particularly poultry.

I've heard that also Cal, and it's logical that it would have an effect. We've always eaten meat that was fed proper grains and that did not have hormone injections.. yet my children still got their periods at 11/12 and I know a lot of their friends that didn't get them until 15 and they certainly did not have the benefit of home grown and home made everything like my kids did... so I don't know how much I believe it.

But stilcruzn, yes it is perfectly normal and it does not have to be something that is hard to deal with at all. A changing body does not mean that she's going to stop doing little girl things.

JSpring she seems to be taking it in her stride which I'm greatful for and she too is very much a tom boy so I doubt she will have a friend to confide in so I am trying to be as open about it as I can but also I don't want to overload her with info either ... and I thought growing up was hard, I think grown ups have the harder job. I too have heard about the hormones but I don't know how much faith I put in that like you said, it depends on the individual. Thanks.

This sounds pretty normal but it could be precocious puberty. I was diagnosed with this at the age of 5years and these are the symptoms...if you dont mind me asking has she showed any other signs of early puberty?