Puberty is the blooming stage in a young girl's life, usually commencing between 8 and 13 years. It is characterised by significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes. It marks the transition from childhood to adolescence.

As adolescent girls go through this period, they can develop a perception about their bodies that can impact their self-esteem and mental health. It is therefore important that they have the right set of information and support during this phase.

Parents and guardians therefore play an essential role in supporting girls through the challenges of puberty. Their guidance, understanding, and encouragement make a whole lot of difference in how girls journey through adolescence.

Here are 8 ways to support daughter or ward who is experiencing body, emotional, and psychological changes

1. Early Education

Provide your daughter or ward with accurate and age-appropriate information about puberty and body changes. Use books, videos, and other learning aids to make learning about her body more fun and digestible. Early education normalizes puberty. It helps her know the signs and differences to expect and enables her to feel comfortable and excited about experiencing them.

2. Encourage Open Communication

Establish an environment where your daughter or ward feels comfortable talking to you regarding her feelings, concerns, and questions about puberty.  Initiate conversations and encourage her to share her thoughts and fears. Listen without interrupting or judging. As your adolescent bares her mind to you, take the time to correct any misinformation she might have about body changes and image. When you express sympathy and understanding through the communication process, this will help her relax and open up more about those tiny, fun, and even scary teen secrets.

3. Promote a Positive Body Image

Body image refers to how one perceives and feels about their physical appearance. During puberty, as girls' bodies change rapidly, their body image often becomes a central focus of their self-identity. As mummy or guardian, it is important to be seen as a model for self-love. Demonstrate a healthy attitude towards your own body and appearance. Also, encourage your daughter to appreciate her growing breasts, new curves, acne, and weight gain. Help her understand that beauty comes in all forms, and she is beautiful the way she is. Indeed, there are no narrow standards for beauty.

4. Provide Emotional Support

Puberty comes with emotional changes as well as physical changes. Mood swings, desire for independence, expanding her social networks, and changes in interests are bound to occur at one stage or the other. This is the point where you exhibit patience and understanding as a parent or guardian. Validate her feelings, and gently guide her through this voyage to self-discovery. Likewise, teach her positive ways to cope with internal and societal stress and pressure as they come. Helpful coping activities include exercise, journaling, mindfulness, and therapy.

5. Encourage Healthy Habits and Hygiene

Adolescence is a period of spontaneous and radical change. From weight gain to skin breakouts, it can be a very difficult phase to manoeuvre for your adolescent. Thus, it is important to encourage nutritious foods that support her changing body’s needs. Emphasise the need for and benefits of drinking lots of water. Encourage regular physical activity such as walks, sports, and dance. Teach proper hygiene such as how to properly change and dispose of used pads, proper skin care, how to maintain a good body smell through bathing regularly, the use of antiperspirants, and regular dental and ear care.

6. Encourage Friendships and Peer Support 

Resist the temptation to isolate your daughter from peers as she experiences puberty. Rather, encourage her to build and maintain positive friendships. A supportive peer group can provide additional comfort and reassurance. Equally, discuss peer pressure with her.  Support her to develop the confidence to stand up to negative influences and make choices that are right for her.

7. Stay Involved

Puberty is an ongoing process, and your daughter’s needs will change over time. Stay involved in her life. Regularly check in on how she’s feeling and adjust your support as needed. Continue to model self-respect, self-care, and positive attitudes. Your ongoing example will help her develop into a confident and healthy young woman.


8. Extend Love to Other Adolescent Girls

Thankfully you are involved in the life of your girl child, taking the necessary steps to ensure she sails smoothly through this period. For some other girls, this necessary support is a luxury. Please extend an arm of love. Show support to vulnerable and less privileged adolescents/teens. Gift them menstrual and hygiene supplies, offer a listening and non-judgemental ear, and provide them with early, accurate, and age-appropriate information.

Conclusion

Puberty can be challenging for any young girl. but with the right support, it can be a positive and smooth experience. As parents or guardians, journeying with your growing child through this phase provides her a safe avenue to gain accurate and age-appropriate puberty education, and emotional support, learn the ropes of healthy habits and hygiene, deal with peer pressure and maintain a positive body image of herself.

Importantly, stay informed and involved. Extend kindness to other adolescents. After all, it takes a village to raise a child, and by working together, we can help all girls grow into strong, confident, and healthy young women.