We know the feeling!
Your little girl was a baby just yesterday, and now suddenly she is 11! Your best friend phones in a panic to say that her daughter who is just less than a year older than yours has started her period and you PANIC!
You have had “The Talk”, she knows where baby’s come from, but are you both ready for her first period?!
We have put together a few things to make sure that you are!
Did you know that 80% of mom’s we asked said they were not ready for their daughters first period! While some of the reasons included “I don’t want her to grow up so fast”, reasons like “I haven’t explained it all to her yet” are easier to solve! Periods should not be considered gross or a sickness, periods need to be de-mystified! Hearing all the details from a confident female role model in her life will ensure that her views on periods are positive! We are raising strong, confident women!
Here’s what you need to know! (print it, save it, keep it handy!)
1. Get the timing right!
“There is never a right time” one parent said. This may be true, but there is a wrong time! If possible, try to talk to your daughter before she starts her first period. Wait to see if the topic of growing up, or something that you can link it to comes up and start steering the conversation. Try to ask a few questions to giveyourself an idea of how much she already knows and start with that! This is a conversation that can spanover months, so don’t rush! If you show her that you are comfortable with the topic, she might even come toyou with questions.
Avoid starting the conversation when she is focused on something else, in a pre-teen “mood” or with her friends!
2. Teach her a bit of anatomy!
Start at the beginning:
You will need discuss some basic Sex-Ed if you haven’t already. Your daughter will need to know that womanhave babies, as this is a critical part of the period chat. Depending on how old your daughter is the amountof detail will differ.
Know your anatomy and use the correct terms.
-Uterus: an amazing organ that is roughly the size of a small fist, that can support a growing baby.
– Uterus Lining: the inside lining of the uterus
– Menstruation: fancy word for period
Then put it all together (you can even memorize our sentence if you like!)
Starting your period is the start of becoming a woman. Each month the lining of the uterus prepares for a baby, if there is nobaby then that lining breaks down again, and that is what your period is.
3. Check your opinion on periods!
If you think that periods are taboo or gross, you will need to alter that! Periods are the sign of a normal, healthy growing body! Children pick up on our feelings, and if you believe that being a woman is wonderful then that message is passed on!
4. Prepare!
Have a little bag or pouch ready with the things she
will need (read #8 below!)
Make sure there is a dustbin in the bathroom.
5. Talk to the rest of the family!
Depending on your family, you may need to talk to sons, younger
daughters and Dad/partner. The important thing to focus on is
that your daughter needs privacy. No one must open a closed door
without knocking. They mustn’t ask why she is doing washing suddenly
or why she doesn’t want to swim. A little respect and kindness will
make for a happier home! Including her dad or male role model helps show that there is nothing weirdabout periods.
6. Be the adult in the room!
Your daughter is watching you! Be comfortable and confident and she will feel the same!
7. Re-assure her!
Getting your first period is a milestone that should be celebrated. Just like first steps, first teeth, first bike ride, first day of school, this is the same!! Don’t post on social media or throw a party tho! Showing her that you are excited about this next phase of her life and that you respect and support her will help remove some of her anxiety and build your relationship.
8. Teach her about the product options available.
The most common are disposable products, and although these are readily available, they are not great for the environment, and used on their own can shift and leak. We think you know this – but just in case:
– A panty Liner: Usually has lower absorbency so used on “light flow” days. Are available with and
without wings (to wrap around the panty).
– A pad: available in different sizes, absorbencies, with/without wings etc. Used for “medium-heavyflow” days.
– A tampon: available in different absorbency, and with/without applicators. These are inserted into the vagina to absorb blood. (usually used at a later stage, and not for first periods)
Re-usable products are becoming increasingly popular these include:
– Washable pads: also available in different absorbencies and function the same as pads.
– Menstrual cups : These are inserted into the vagina to catch the blood flow. (also usually used later, and not for first periods)
– Leak-proof panties: These are our favorite! (which is why we stock them!). These are washable “regular” panties, with hidden protection! We stock 2 ranges (as well as a Swim Bottom!), so whatever her needs and preferences- we have you both covered!
We hope this will help make sure that you can confidently answer YES, if ever asked are you ready for your daughters first period!
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