There are lots of reasons why it’s important for your daughter to learn about her reproductive anatomy and the function of each of the parts. However, one of the most important reasons to make sure your daughter is informed is to empower her with ownership.

Girls who think of their vulva (private parts) as a mysterious part of their body that they should not look at or talk about, may not feel confident that they are the boss of that part of their body. We want them to not only be the boss, but also be vigilant about what happens in that area of their body.

I encourage the young girls in my workshops to go in the bathroom, lock the door, get a mirror and sort out the parts of their vulva. That request is usually met with a “that’s gross” statement by the girls. But that is exactly why we need to work hard to change this attitude. We want our daughters to treasure their private parts and never be disgusted by them. As with all treasures, they should be honored and protected.

In two different, age-appropriate books, there are illustrations of the vulva and its parts. I encourage you to use these books as a guide to empower your daughter.

• I’m a Girl, My Changing Body (8-9 years old)
• I’m a Girl, Hormones! (10+)

From the time your daughter is just entering school, we want her to know that she is the boss of her “private parts” and how to respond to inappropriate requests for touching. Having these conversations early will ensure that as she matures, she knows she is in charge of her body. That ownership will become even more important as she encounters sexual challenges that require her to make a decision about her reproductive health.