A mother's secret weapon

Dec 15

By Ann Kingman childrens books. Add comments

I’ve read many articles about “the power of literature”. But there’s one benefit to literature that I haven’t really seen discussed: allowing parents to make difficult conversations easier.

You see, my oldest daughter is 9 years old, and the girls at school have been “talking.” Those of you that were once pre-teen girls, or who are moms of pre-teen girls, knows what this means: it is time for “the talk.”

I was informed in no uncertain terms by my husband that it was all up to me. He is going to have no part in discussing the facts of life with little girls.

But that’s OK. I have a secret weapon — a book. And not just any book. No, my weapon is the famous, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by the great Judy Blume. This is the book that explained it all to me, and made growing up seem not so scary. It seems to be having the same effect on my daughter, too. Each night we read a chapter, and we are both enjoying it very much. She loves it even more because it’s just the two of us: she has deemed it “inappropriate” for both her younger sister and her dad.

A side benefit for me is again rediscovering this terrific book. I am enjoying it as much now as I did then. Judy Blume never talks down to her audience and I don’t feel like I am reading a book that is just for kids.

A confession: I’ve had this book on my bookshelf since my oldest was about 2 years old. I knew I’d need it someday, and I wanted to be ready. Or maybe I was just waiting for the chance to read it again. In any event, if you are the parent of a little girl, I recommend you run right out and buy a copy of this book. You might not need it now, but it will make your life so much easier when you do.

Parents, teachers: are there other books I should add to the “for when I need it” bookshelf?
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We encourage you to write down or print out the title information and shop at your local bookstore. Titles link to LibraryThing, a social networking site that allows you to catalog your home library. LibraryThing also links to various online purchasing options. Here are the books from this post: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume, Random House Childrens Books paperback

(all information is for the U.S. editions).

http://www.thebookladysblog.com Rebecca @ The Book Lady’s Blog

I loved this book and read it over and over again, wishing that I too could grow breasts the size of tennis balls. You might also look at Go Ask Alice.
http://www.thebookladysblog.com Rebecca @ The Book Lady’s Blog

I loved this book and read it over and over again, wishing that I too could grow breasts the size of tennis balls. You might also look at Go Ask Alice.
http://notenoughbookshelves.blogspot.com Alexa

Oh I loved this book too and although my baby isn’t born yet I’m already thinking about books for them, I think in the same way other people go and buy cute clothes
http://notenoughbookshelves.blogspot.com Alexa

Oh I loved this book too and although my baby isn’t born yet I’m already thinking about books for them, I think in the same way other people go and buy cute clothes
http://musebookreviews.blogspot.com Jena

You know, the book my mom brought out when I came home asking about this was Our Bodies, Ourselves. It had all the helpful diagrams and thensome. After all my questions had been answered, my mom put the book in a cupboard and told me that if I wanted to look at it, I could anytime I wanted, but please make sure my younger sisters weren’t looking at it with me. (Understood as: take it to your room; I’m not ready to answer these grown-up questions with them yet.) And, of course, if I had any more questions, I could always ask her. And I did look at the book (mostly at pictures) but I didn’t need to ask her too many questions; the book did a pretty good job filling in answers for me.
http://musebookreviews.blogspot.com Jena

You know, the book my mom brought out when I came home asking about this was Our Bodies, Ourselves. It had all the helpful diagrams and thensome. After all my questions had been answered, my mom put the book in a cupboard and told me that if I wanted to look at it, I could anytime I wanted, but please make sure my younger sisters weren’t looking at it with me. (Understood as: take it to your room; I’m not ready to answer these grown-up questions with them yet.) And, of course, if I had any more questions, I could always ask her. And I did look at the book (mostly at pictures) but I didn’t need to ask her too many questions; the book did a pretty good job filling in answers for me.
http://rjlight.wordpress.com rjlight

I loved this book, but I remember being so nervous to read it and hiding it from my mom who told me nothing about my impending womanhood.
http://rjlight.wordpress.com rjlight

I loved this book, but I remember being so nervous to read it and hiding it from my mom who told me nothing about my impending womanhood.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Jena, thanks for the recommendation of Our Bodies, Ourselves. On the list it goes!

Rjlight – Thanks for sharing your story. I am amazed at how many different experiences we’ve all had with this book!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Jena, thanks for the recommendation of Our Bodies, Ourselves. On the list it goes!

Rjlight – Thanks for sharing your story. I am amazed at how many different experiences we’ve all had with this book!
Jenn

I’m a little late on this since I just discovered this blog but I have to comment. Are You There, God? was also the book that explained everything to me. I learned so much from so mnay of Judy Blume’s books. In fact, last year I went back and re-read many of her books that were my favorites when I was young and they were just as wonderful this time around.
Jenn

I’m a little late on this since I just discovered this blog but I have to comment. Are You There, God? was also the book that explained everything to me. I learned so much from so mnay of Judy Blume’s books. In fact, last year I went back and re-read many of her books that were my favorites when I was young and they were just as wonderful this time around.