Real Life Body Drama

Calling all parents of teenage girls, "Sneak into your daughter's room and put a copy of Body Drama on her desk, bed, dresser or floor - anyplace she will see it." This book is loaded with incredible information about the physical changes of growing up female. Yes, some of the pictures are quite graphic - but they are really what our bodies look like. As much as I value what this book has to offer, I realize it may not be for everyone. That's fine - read on and make the choice that is best for you and your family.

OK, remember those classics Where Did I Come From? and What's Happening to Me? I don't know about you but I remember my friends and I sneaking around the house reading those books and laughing (to hide our embarassment and our interest). I am absolutely positive my parents knew we were reading them and wanted us to be. This is how I felt about Body Drama. It is the kind of book that has the information you want to give your daughter but she would be mortified if you handed her the book, told her to read it, and said she should come to you with any questions. It is precisely the kind of book she wants to read to have her embarassing questions answered but she probably won't buy it herself and certainly won't ask you to go out and get her a copy (that would mean actually having to talk with you about it).

The book is loaded with information and pictures about everything from body shape, skin care, and breast size to skin rashes, sexually transmitted diseases and body odor (and written in their language: zits, boobs, body piercing and tattoos). All topics that we know our kids are interested in (because we were - maybe not the peircing), but they probably won't just walk up to us and ask about them. With any luck, this book will show them that the questions are normal, expected and nothing new so they can ask. In fact, I hope the book opens up a list of questions that you and your daughter can discuss.

Obviously, I recommend the book. The only problem I see with it is getting it into the hands of its target audience. So, go ahead, sneak into their rooms and leave a copy of the book. I'll say "thank you" for them because they may never even let on to the fact that they found it, read it, and felt relieved by it.