Today, sweetheart, we’re going to talk about some important things.
You’re already 10 years old, and everyone around you is amazed at how much you’ve grown! You’ve probably noticed that your dresses and skirts seem to be getting shorter lately. And something strange is happening to you: sometimes you don’t even know whether to laugh or cry, and you’ve started to notice pimples on your face that are causing you a lot of trouble. It’s funny they showed up right when you began worrying about whether you’re beautiful. Is that why you often feel down and want to cry? Just yesterday you had a fight with your best friend over something trivial and now your eyes are all teary. You’ve even been acting out with your grandmother.
Don’t cry, sweetheart; there’s nothing surprising about how you feel. You’re simply saying goodbye to childhood and entering a stage of life called adolescence. That’s why people call this the “transitional” age. Understanding that will help you know what’s happening to your body and emotions right now.
This transitional period brings many changes in your body, mostly because of shifts in your endocrine system. Your bones, especially in your arms and legs, are growing rapidly, and your muscles are getting stronger. Your heart and blood vessels develop more slowly. In two to three years your body will begin to work more harmoniously and your proportions will even out. That’s when you’ll go from feeling awkward to feeling more graceful. For now, you’ll have to accept the breakouts, the long legs, and the emotional ups and downs. Still, try to keep your composure and don’t let yourself go. No rudeness or impatience. You’re already mature enough to control your actions and understand that lashing out hurts not only the people around you but also yourself. You can feel it when you upset your loved ones.
I’ve already mentioned that this transitional age is a period of sexual maturation. That means your menstrual cycle will start soon. Remember a few tips about personal hygiene.
During this time, avoid baths and swimming; instead, take a lukewarm shower once or twice a day. Every girl should have her own towel—dry it well after use and keep it in a clean plastic bag.
Change your underwear daily. During your period, you can still do morning exercises, help with household chores, and go to school. Just avoid heavy physical exertion—no running, jumping, biking, or similar activities. And don’t let yourself get too cold; that can lead to inflammation.
Hasn’t your mom told you something like this? Maybe you brushed off her advice thinking it was an exaggeration. Remember: it’s better to be cautious than to spend years dealing with health problems, or worse—become disabled for life. I see girls in my practice with inflammations and bleeding that could have been avoided if they had followed this advice. My heart sinks when I see girls going out in freezing weather wearing thin tights; I worry about the consequences.
Make sure your waistband and bra aren’t too tight, because tight clothing can make it hard to breathe and can affect your shape—and you want to feel comfortable and confident. One rule to remember: keep your clothes clean, well-pressed, and neat, and choose natural fabrics when you can. Synthetic materials can prevent your skin from breathing. Pay attention to your posture; it’s not just about looks—it also helps your internal organs function better.
By the way, do you know how to eat properly? Surprised at what that means? Try to eat at the same times every day, about four times a day. And follow an old piece of advice: “Eat breakfast yourself, share lunch with a friend, and give dinner to your enemy.”
Adolescence is often called the “time of maturation,” and I agree. You’ve grown not only physically but also morally. Adults have higher expectations of you now, and you should hold yourself to stricter standards too. Don’t let yourself go. This advice applies to your relationships with parents, friends, neighbors, and teachers—and to a new side of yourself: you’re making friends with girls, and you’re also becoming more interested in boys. One of them may even catch your eye. You might think you love him. Don’t rush; love is still ahead of you, and you need to learn how to be friends with boys. In a family, friendship and communication are the main forces that help two people keep their feelings and understanding alive.
