How to Cope With the Onset of a Girl's Puberty

Any mother with a daughter on the verge of puberty will tell you that life with said child is deadlier than walking through a field full of landmines. Hormones are raging, and quite often, parents become exasperated and frustrated. Here are some ways that moms can survive puberty without going insane in the process.

Instructions

1. Remember what it was like for you. Puberty brings about many changes, both physical and emotional, for teenage girls. Oftentimes they don't even realize what's happening to them hormonally and this frustrates them. This is when moms need to take a minute to remember what this time in their life was like for them. The more you can relate to your daughter during this tumultuous time, the easier it will be for both of you.

2. Give her space. She has always been your baby, coming to you for every hurt and problem that plagued her. Puberty is an entirely different boo-boo, though. Your sweet baby girl is seemingly turning into Linda Blair and the last person she wants is her mommy. You want to talk to her and make her feel better, she thinks you know absolutely nothing. If you give her the space she needs, you won't feel so frustrated and eventually she will come around.

3. Go with the flow. Hormones are a dangerous thing, both during puberty and even in adulthood. Your daughter, who may have been an angel before, will suddenly have disrespectful outbursts, sometimes for no reason. Although the disciplinarian in you desires to ground her for the rest of her life, there may be times when it's better to let it go and attempt to understand where it's coming from. When she has calmed down, talk to her about her behavior and let her know you are there if she needs you.

4. Take cover. There will be good days and bad days as she adjusts to her new body and the estrogen flowing through it. On the bad days it may not be a bad idea for you to just leave for a couple of hours and do your own thing. Keeping yourself as far out of her sight as possible during the bad times will help you avoid unnecessary arguments and hurt feelings.

5. Be patient. Keep reminding yourself that this will not last forever. When you're down, there's only one place to go, and that is up. So when you feel as though you are at your lowest point and that your relationship with your daughter has been changed forever, be reassured that it is simply a stage she is going through. It is a stage you yourself went through, and before you know it, she will be herself again.