Early cultures had words for the magical time when a girl came into womanhood - and feared the process in some cases. Gaelic legends has girls visited by poltergeist during this time frame.

For DD is was definitely the summer before she turned 16. I could see the woman in her. I remember comment to my husband as I watched her walk toward us that her walk was "mature" -- and I am not even sure what components went into changing her walk - but it was different.

Anonymous wrote:Well, I wouldn't say my daughter is a stunning beauty but she's happy with her looks. Not sure how anyone else's "metamorphosis" has anything to do with your daughters growth timetable.

My daughter was fully physically developed in 6th grade, as was I. Perhaps you can look at some of your old school pictures to get an idea of when it happened for you, so you have an idea of when your daughter might develop into her adult shape.

As for caring about how she looked, that didn't happen until 8th/9th grade, when suddenly she learned her breasts could be assets in wearing certain styles of clothing, and not just an annoyance when playing sports.

Well, I wouldn't say my daughter is a stunning beauty but she's happy with her looks. Not sure how anyone else's "metamorphosis" has anything to do with your daughters growth timetable.

Focus on her inner beauty. Not outer.

DD is in 6th but looks more like she’s in 4th. You miss subtle differences, it how she got ready for and looke st her first MS dance in the fall vs. her second this past Friday was an unexpected dose of, “wow, she actually cares about her appearance”

DD wore glasses and braces when she started 8th grade and looked like her 1st grade picture. I swear I turned around when she started her junior year of high school and she was this beautiful swan!

My daughter is in an activity with teen volunteers. It is so interesting and fun to see some of these teens evolve from 8th or 9th grade through the end of high school and some come back and visit after they leave for college. They blossom like swans.

My youngest daughter never went through an awkward stage. It seemed like one day she was a cute kid and the next day she was a beautiful teenager. She seemed to blossom overnight. My older daughter matured early physically, but still seemed awkward for a couple of years. She's now found herself, and realizes how beautiful she is.

Anonymous wrote:Stunning beauty. Are you going out to be disappointedly she’s not? Why would you characterize it that way?

OP here. Because my sister was (an is) stunningly beautiful. I am not and I don't expect my DD to be stunningly beautiful. I gave the example of my sister's "metamorphosis" as an example of the shift from girlhood to womanhood.

Stunning beauty. Are you going out to be disappointedly she’s not? Why would you characterize it that way?

This is so funny, because we're in the same situation over here. My 8th grade daughter is fairly tall (5'4"), but still looks very much like a girl. She's mortified that she's completely flat-chested and skinny - which is exactly how I was, until I was in my 40's! Poor thing.

I actually think she's beautiful and have told her how lucky she is that she doesn't have to worry about her weight, or being too busty, etc. But she's not hearing any of it, and instead always comparing herself to her much more developed friends. To be honest, I'm kind of relieved she didn't blossom too early as I think it can attract unwanted attention and just be a burden on young girls when they look older than they are. But at the same time, I empathize with her as I always wanted some cleavage, hips, and a butt.

The grass is always greener. At some point, I guess she'll make the transition from girl to young woman.

DD is in 8th grade and still looks like a girl. Oddly I don't remember when it happened for me but I do remember my older sister went from his gawky-dork in 8th grade to this stunning beauty by her sophomore year (16).