Period Talk

barbiedoll

My mum was open and honest with me and I was the one who informed my little sis (not so much informed as half scared to death haha!)

I can't remember it being a big deal for me, I was at a girls' school and everyone in the class had started their periods before me, so I had all of the gory details rammed down my throat for ages before it actually happened. Worst of all were the constant questions...."Have you started yet?", I actually lied about it for a few months, just to shut them up!

I don't have a daughter but I've told my son that periods are a part of a woman's life and we have had a laugh with tampons, if anyone remembers the party scene in the tv series "The Young Ones", with Rik Mayall and the "mouse", they will know what I mean! :rotfl::rotfl:

I didn't want him to be of those men who think that periods are "disgusting" or anything to be embarrassed about. We don't talk about it all the time though!

Mojisola

I know a few mothers who have arranged a "coming out" do when their daughters first period arrived - a small gathering for women/girls only, everyone wears something red, brings a small gift, red-themed food and/or decorations and a general welcome into womanhood.

fireyfirenze

Mojisola wrote: »

I know a few mothers who have arranged a "coming out" do when their daughters first period arrived - a small gathering for women/girls only, everyone wears something red, brings a small gift, red-themed food and/or decorations and a general welcome into womanhood.

oh my gosh! is this a cultural thing or...? or am I being slow and you are joking?

as a teen that would have been my worst nightmare.

suejb2

"Coming out" that sounds an awful idea, everyone wearing red, solidarity sister we bleed! Each to their own I suppose.

moomoomama27

My mum made periods and sex such a taboo subject that I didn't have a clue, could never talk to her about them, and used to have to leave a note when I needed anything like pads or tampons! So with my girls I talked about it to them from a very early age! My eldest wasn't in the slightest bit phased and as my youngest daughter is approaching the age I had another talk with her and showed her all the different things she could use, and gave her a little 'teen pack' to keep with her! Neither girls are bothered or embarrassed by any of it, as it should be!!

DigForVictory

I've sons. They're learning as my "female paperwork" is in a crate by the loo, they have tampon fights (Not Often - I handed them the Nerf ammo & suggested they use that instead.) The spikes in rotten temper, the glares & protracted (relatively) loo breaks doing said female paperwork - they're figuring it out.
One has figured bringing me paracetamol, another bringing me chocolate - while I'm not deliberately training them, they're learning...

bellaboo86

I remember a friend at school said her mum had told her about periods but that she wasn't allowed to tell us in case our mums didn't want us to know. Naturally I went home and asked. My mum did tell me and a few days later she gave me a book. It was aimed at young girls and it was nice as I could keep referring back to it when I wanted. we passed the book on to my cousin as well.

CruisingSaver

I first did the talk with my daughter when she was around 10 years old and made a point of referring back to it occasionally over the next couple of years, including the kind of pads etc she wanted to try.

Needless to say when she started it was very much a non-event because she knew what to expect from our chats and just took it in her stride.

When I was her age one of my schoolfriends was totally distraught at what was happening to her because no-one had ever spoken to her about it and I swore that no daughter of mine would ever be in that position.

Love the idea of the sticky pad fight though I'm not too sure how my OH would have taken having a pad slapped on his baldy head!

CS x

Mojisola

fireyfirenze wrote: »

oh my gosh! is this a cultural thing or...? or am I being slow and you are joking?

as a teen that would have been my worst nightmare.

No, not joking. Also not a cultural thing - just what suited their family setups. No weirder really than running round the house having a panty-pad fight!

Mrs.W_2

You've all offered such frank and open accounts and advice. Thank you. Thank you so much!

I shall be taking time to remind my daughter, every couple of months, of our conversation on periods.

Puddings, I have to say I love what your Dad did for you. What a man, what a great father!

Thatgirlsam, your code word system is genius! I'll remember that and be sure to use it with my daughter.

When my periods began, I also kept a diary to help be prepared for those days when my bleed was imminent. And as I was always prepared, I had girls at school ask me if I had a pad or tampon they might have as they'd been caught short.

My mother was desperately shy about 'thebodilystuff', so whenever that came up she'd give me an NHS pamphlet. She did not ask me about whether or not I'd understood the contents of the pamphlets. It was just 'understood' that I read them and would act accordingly. She did not want to talk about bleeding or sex or, y'know, the awkward stuff.

I suppose, as a parent, I reacted in a way that makes it almost immpossible for my daughter to not understand she can talk with me about periods, sex, and a whole range of subjects most parents Umm and Arrgh about.

But I worry about her when she reaches secondary school in september, should she start her bleeds at school. I attended a girl's schools and remember it was a vicious place.

But my daughter will be going to comprehensive school. I have to keep that in mind.

I suppose this falls under that part of life labelled 'Parents Allowing Their Child to Grow.' I'll just accept have to accept it and go with it!