Period Talk

Mrs.W_2 · 31 October 2013 at 1:50AM

Earlier this evening I talked with my ten year old daughter about how her periods might soon become a part of her life, and how she could take care of herself when her periods start.

I explained the various methods of coping with her periods. Then we had a huge tampon and panty-pad fight; running around the house armed with five panty-pads each, we had to a stick them on each other. But should we hit the other with a well aimed tampon, we could take off a panty-pad.

My daughter won four panty-pads to two.

I'd like to know how other mothers deal with that discussion.

Edited to add that we'd previously talked in depth about the basic facts of life. My daughter knows why women have periods.

littlerat · 31 October 2013 at 2:30AM

I was talked to about it as a normal part of life, knew sometimes when Mum was having a bad one too at that age, maybe a bit earlier.

It sounds like you're making it all normal, which I think is essential, having been the daughter. And made it fun! I think you're doing it all perfectly, she knows her options, knows what will happen, isn't terrified of what each sort of item is or how it works.

Congratulations, you're the sort of Mum every girl needs, sadly several of my school friends didn't have, it made things harder for them.

She may still freak when she gets her first, I did - although, that could be because when we were told our first few would be very light, they were wrong - I started out needing high absorbancy pads and very regular changes, the teen ones we got given from school wouldn't last me 30 minutes.

So on the practical side, I'd make sure she was prepared for if they're heavy, I'd also have at least a couple of brands in, I always just used always like Mum, when I finally tried bodyform, I had such a relief! Just something Mum (and me) never really considered. Different ones just suit different people, so I'd buy ones of each in at least 2 sizes/absorbancies, just so she can see which suits her.

Mrs.W_2 · 31 October 2013 at 3:21AM

Littlerat, we've spoken about the fact her first periods might well be heavy and make her feel a bit sicky. It was the same for me, so I've tried to tell her it's not all cake and celebration. The bathroom is stocked for her, Bodyform products are already in place. Then we'll have cake and a bit of a celebration.

Edit: If she's up to it.

Edit Again: I realise this thread might be something the men reading might not want to comment on, but the male perspective is rather important.

Bella73 · 31 October 2013 at 7:47AM

Wish I'd been told like that. I was told about them at the age if 9 at school. That was it. Parents told me zilch.

Alikay · 31 October 2013 at 7:54AM

My children (a girl and 2 boys) all knew about periods from being very little as they'd be in the bathroom with me and saw tampons and pads in my bag, drawers, shopping basket etc. I answered questions as they arose, which was often as they were all very curious kids!

When DD got to around 11 or so I sent off for a few samples for her and I always had plenty of period tackle in the house, so when she started age 13 she was well equipped. We didn't do cake and celebrations, I just made sure she'd got what she needed, knew what to do and off she trotted to school as normal.

Tiglath · 31 October 2013 at 7:59AM

I wasn't told at home although I knew a little from school, and was home with Dad when my first arrived. Had to wad up toilet paper, and go up the road in my nightie the next morning to a family friend who sorted me out.

74jax · 31 October 2013 at 8:01AM

My parents told me nothing. At all. And when I started I was told there was a 'drawer with items in' and that was it.

My DD has known from an early age what Tampax is, I remember at about 7 shouting in Asda 'oooooo do you need them plasters for when you bleed from your bottom mummy'..............

I found the lilets website really useful and they can send you small booklets and samples etc for your DD to try.

Threebabes · 31 October 2013 at 8:32AM

My daughter started her period last month. She knew all about it from talk at school and in Year 5 they have a talk about development.

DD2 who is 9, will know all the in's and out's with having a very open big sister.

GBNI · 31 October 2013 at 1:56PM

What a great way of telling her! I would advise you look at Lilet products. They do smaller fit towels specifically for teens. As for tampons, there's are definitely the best! I don't understand the Tampax obsession

heartbreak_star · 31 October 2013 at 2:02PM

You can actually get a "teen pack" in Asda at the moment with a selection of products to try.

Mum was pretty open about it with me

HBS x

luxor4t · 31 October 2013 at 2:05PM

Well done you, I wish my mum had been that sensible. She gave me a book about a girl who thought her parents were getting a pet and instead was shown her baby brother, then my mother told me blood came out of your "tummy". I started when I was 10 and having to deal with inaccurate information was .... well, difficult.