It's good to talk....about growing up (Facts of Life: Growing Up - Susan Meredith)

Member Name: sandemp

Product:	Facts of Life: Growing Up - Susan Meredith
Date:	29/11/06 (682 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sensible, no nonsense approach to the facts of life

Disadvantages: None

A dilemma for most parents is if, when, who by and how their children should be introduced to the “facts of life”. For some it may be easier to allow their child to learn about “the birds and bees” at school, but there seems to be a bit of a postcode lottery as to how much your child will learn, and besides there is still the probability that there will be something that your child didn’t understand. For these reasons it’s best to be prepared for the day when you need to talk to your son/daughter about such things as periods, babies and yes, sex.

For my eldest daughter this time came very recently when she decided she wanted to know a bit more about “growing up”, and luckily I was already prepared with this book, “Usborne Understanding The Facts Of Life”, which is actually two books in one, the first covering growing up while the second covers babies.

---Growing Up---

The first half of the book covers all the topics about growing up that you could possibly think of. Although the language is reasonably simple, technical names are used for all body parts and functions, so you may need to explain what these words mean, which can cause a little embarrassment. There are many illustrations throughout the book, which, while drawings are detailed. Topics covered include puberty, periods, health, sex, feelings and relationships, all of which are handled in a sensitive and yet no nonsense manner. There is no definitely no glossing over of the information that it might be otherwise embarrassing to discuss. Although there a large amount of the book is devoted to the changes that occur in girls, boys are not left out and their own changes are discussed. Perhaps one of the interesting parts of the book (and certainly less embarrassing) is that which focuses on lifestyle, and spells out the dangers involved in casual sex, drinking, smoking and taking drugs along with the benefits of healthy eating and exercise. All of these topics are again dealt with in the no nonsense manner and allow for further discussion with the slightly older child.



---Babies---

The second section of the book does not seem to be available in every copy, from what I can gather there are two editions, one with the Babies section and one without. This second section follows the same no nonsense approach, but deals with conception, pregnancy and birth. There is a lot of crossover and some repeated information between the two sections of the book, and personally I would use this part of the book in the same way as I have with the first half. As I am not pregnant myself and considering my daughters age, we haven’t looked at this part of the book in great detail, but I can see that it would be very helpful with a slightly older child, or if someone the child knows is pregnant.

As well covering the progress of a “normal” pregnancy, the book gives information on such topics as IVF, miscarriage, abortion and premature labour. Also covered are the basic developmental stages of a baby, and safety tips for potential babysitters. I would imagine that this would be helpful in explaining almost any family circumstances involving pregnancy.

---Final Words---

I used this book with my eleven year old daughter, who was a little embarrassed and scared by how her body is changing. By sharing the book we were able to spend time allaying her fears and helping her learn how her body works. It was very easy to dip in and out of the book without going through it from cover to cover, and I believe she appreciated the very matter of fact approach. But I don’t feel it would have been nearly as effective if I had simply given her the book to read on her own. I used the book as a tool along with several props, and then we discussed many things as they came up, and I answered any of the questions she had. We haven’t discussed everything covered in the book yet, I don’t feel she is ready to know all the ins and outs of drugs, drinking and STIs, but I know that the book is there when the subjects do come up.

Although it is almost inevitable that talking about growing up and sex will be embarrassing for either the parent or the child (or even both) this book is a useful tool in helping explain the facts in a grown up and sensitive manner. My own daughter found the book to be useful and was interested in the various diagrams. She was also reassured that the changes occurring within her own body were normal and that she wouldn’t actually bleed to death during her period. I am therefore recommending this book as a tool in helping talk about the issues that they may have with growing up and the changes in their bodies and feelings. It is not, however, a replacement for you talking to them in a mature and responsible manner, and allowing them to share any worries they may have.

Title: Understanding The Facts Of Life
Publisher: Usborne
Authors: Susan Meredith & Robyn Gee
ISBN: 0 7460 3143 2
RRP: £8.99

* Also available as two separate titles, Growing Up and Babies.

Summary: Informative book to share with your pre-teen child