*Ladies only*What nice things did your Mum do when you started your periods?

tara747

Some of these stories are so sweet!

I was 12 and my mum was fantastic. She had given me a leaflet to read beforehand as some of my friends had already started. On the day, it still came as an awful shock (I also hated puberty, it really freaked me out ha ha). I went to the loo and saw lots of blood, argh. And I was wearing my favourite skirt! Thank goodness it hadn't leaked through.

I shouted down the stairs for her and cried my eyes out. She gave me a big hug, dried my tears and told me how grown up I was (that only made me feel worse!) and that I was very special. She went and got me the beginner pads she had bought for me and told me what to do with them, then discreetly left the bathroom while I got on with it. I begged her not to tell my dad and she promised that she wouldn't (although I'm sure she did), and especially not my brother. The next day, she brought me to the shops and got me some sweets and a comic, ah the innocence!

All through high school she was very supportive of me and sympathetic when I had such bad cramps that I had to take a day off or come home early. And at university she always sent me back after a monthly visit home with about 6 months worth of tampons and pantyliners ha ha!!! I think I'm still using up that stash! Bless her. She really is such a star.

Spendless

shellsuit wrote: »

My first towels were Bodyform, which were tapered a bit at one end, and had a big bump right though the middle, does anyone remember those?!

I sometimes wonder what planet my Mum was on because she knew I couldn't use her tampons but she never bought me any towels (apart from the first pack which I remember vividly)

It's a good job I used to work on a Saturday from the age of 11, so I was able to buy my own, but on the odd occasion, like someone else has mentioned, I'd have to use loo roll.

Snap! Though my mother found out I was using my own money and told me I wasn't expected to buy them myself- but there still wasn't a supply left for me. Will make sure my own daughter always has some when the time comes

The other thing I'll do, or rather won't do- is inform all my older female IL's as when other girls in the family have started, some of the women in the family have cried cos 'it has upset them':rolleyes:

skintbutsolvent

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Urgh. Flashback to being 13. Collapsed on floor in girls' toilets at school, agonising cramps, back spasms, vomiting, feeling like I was going to die. Had to stumble to Head of Year's office to tell him I was feeling ill. He took one look, worked out what it was and said 'do you want me to drive you home?'. He asked if I had anything, which I didn't, as I had been forced to deal with toilet roll since I was 11, except when I could nick something. He stopped at a chemist and came out with a packet of the poshest ones he could find. (Bodyform were brand new at the time) and a packet of paracetamol. In the car, he said that, if they were really bad all the time, I could go to the doctor and they could help me.

He dropped me off and spoke to my mum. She smiled as he drove off.

Once he had gone, she screamed and shouted and called me every name under the sun, including weak and pathetic and how stupid did you have to be to think that they hurt. She then informed my big brother and his best mate when they came in later that evening about how useless I was. Big brother left a big packet of things on my bed every 4 weeks without fail from then on.

I know none of this could ever happen nowdays, but I still rate that teacher highly for being so sensitive.

As a rule, I think men still are more sympathetic, even if they are a little embarrassed sometimes.

I am sorry your mum wasn't supportive, but what a fantastic teacher and big brother! Good on them, shows they care.

skintbutsolvent

Spendless wrote: »

Snap! Though my mother found out I was using my own money and told me I wasn't expected to buy them myself- but there still wasn't a supply left for me. Will make sure my own daughter always has some when the time comes

The other thing I'll do, or rather won't do- is inform all my older female IL's as when other girls in the family have started, some of the women in the family have cried cos 'it has upset them':rolleyes:

I used tampons from month 2 - had already 'practised' even tho only 11. But yes, I bought them with my paper round money.

tara747

Spendless wrote: »

Snap! Though my mother found out I was using my own money and told me I wasn't expected to buy them myself- but there still wasn't a supply left for me. Will make sure my own daughter always has some when the time comes

The other thing I'll do, or rather won't do- is inform all my older female IL's as when other girls in the family have started, some of the women in the family have cried cos 'it has upset them':rolleyes:

How did it upset them? I am confused.

tara747

skintbutsolvent wrote: »

I am sorry your mum wasn't supportive, but what a fantastic teacher and big brother! Good on them, shows they care.

Yes, at least she had some support. Your post brought a lump to my throat Jojo, just thinking about the contrast between your mum's unkindness and the compassion shown by your teacher and brother xoxo

LadyMorticia

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Urgh. Flashback to being 13. Collapsed on floor in girls' toilets at school, agonising cramps, back spasms, vomiting, feeling like I was going to die. Had to stumble to Head of Year's office to tell him I was feeling ill. He took one look, worked out what it was and said 'do you want me to drive you home?'. He asked if I had anything, which I didn't, as I had been forced to deal with toilet roll since I was 11, except when I could nick something. He stopped at a chemist and came out with a packet of the poshest ones he could find. (Bodyform were brand new at the time) and a packet of paracetamol. In the car, he said that, if they were really bad all the time, I could go to the doctor and they could help me.

He dropped me off and spoke to my mum. She smiled as he drove off.

Once he had gone, she screamed and shouted and called me every name under the sun, including weak and pathetic and how stupid did you have to be to think that they hurt. She then informed my big brother and his best mate when they came in later that evening about how useless I was. Big brother left a big packet of things on my bed every 4 weeks without fail from then on.

I know none of this could ever happen nowdays, but I still rate that teacher highly for being so sensitive.

As a rule, I think men still are more sympathetic, even if they are a little embarrassed sometimes.

That's one good head of year you had there.

I agree about the men being more sympathetic comment. I have very bad periods to the point of almost being bed bound. OH is very understanding and goes out to get me chocolate and magazines and spends the few days a month running around after me.:o

tandraig

my first period sticks in my mind! wasnt until i was nearly 13 i think - good thing as i had heard about it from girls at school! mum never mentioned it. i saw blood in my panties and told mum - she said 'well, you are a woman now' - gave me a sanitary belt and pad and pushed me in bathroom. then proceeded to embarass me by telling all my aunts and my nan!!! cringe even now when i think about it. and i had terrible periods! would be unable to work the first couple of days the pain was so bad. was told by mum and gp thats what they were like and i was making too much fuss. when i was 45 was diagnosed with endometriosis! thanks mum and gp............you taught me how to cope with pain - very useful now as i have degenerative disc disease and am in constant pain - instead of 5 days a month!

Spendless

tara747 wrote: »

How did it upset them? I am confused.

So am I, but Mr S tells me things like IL X was so upset to hear that child y had started her periods that she had to put the phone down on child y's mum when she'd rung to tell her.



This is why I won't be bothering informing anyone. And if anyone can explain my husbands bizarre family please tell us.:D

tara747

Kenny_Powers wrote: »

At least you girls get an explanation and a talk from your mother!

Imagine the shock as a 12 year old male when you have a 'ham shank' and all of a sudden something comes out. No one talked to me about it what it was!

LOL

:rotfl::rotfl: