July is my second month as a Kotex Mom Ambassador. You can read my first post here. Phase 2 of the #Kotexmom topic, as I like to call it, is Beginning the Period Talk with your Daughter.
When I was growing up, my mom didn’t talk to me very much about my period. I think that between my friends and the human growth and development courses I took in school, she assumed that all of the important things had been covered.
Sex, pregnancy and periods weren’t necessarily taboo – I think that we just never really sat down and had THE PERIOD TALK.
I was in the 7th grade when it happened for me, and I knew what to expect to a certain degree. I was prepared for everything except for the physical ailments that came along with that time of the month. Cramps, bloating, headaches, moodiness – those physical symptoms all caught me by complete surprise.
When my own daughter began showing signs of puberty at 8 years old, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I had a total freak out. Because one of my sisters had began her cycle at just 8 years old, I knew that it was a real possibility that the same thing would happen to my daughter.
I know that it’s never easy talking about a sensitive subject like puberty, menstruation and sex with our kids. So…I wanted to share some tips that have helped me have the period talk with my own teenage daughter!
3 Ways to Avoid Embarrassing Your Daughter When Having The Period Talk
- Do it in a private setting. Make sure that dad and other siblings aren’t around.
- Don’t use words like “menstruate” – for some reason, this drives kids crazy! Be straight forward and say “period” – I’ve found that my daughter finds this word much less awkward because that is what the kids are calling it.
- Let your daughter know that you deal with this issue too – don’t make it all about her. She’ll be more comfortable if you share in the misery – you know what they say, misery loves company!
In addition to Kotex having a great resource on their website for moms to prepare for that talk, they also have a special U by Kotex Tween website for tweens and teens. This Hello Period website by U by Kotex Tween has videos and information for young girls to read to answer questions that they might need to prepare for their first period, and there’s even a section where other girls talk about their questions and answers!
Having that talk with your tween or teen doesn’t have to be that difficult, and it certainly doesn’t have to be embarrassing, either! Take the Break the Cycle Pledge with me and let’s stop all of this weirdness about periods!
I wrote this review while participating in a Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of U by Kotex Tween and received products to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Thank god I have all boys so I can leave all those uncomfortable conversations to their dad. Ha.
I’m not looking forward to that day, lol.
I am so nervous…at least I have some time to think about it with my 5 month old!
My “talk” with my mom was AWFUL…she is “sex doesn’t exist, periods don’t exist, it’s all gross and inappropriate to talk about” and we didn’t talk about it until after I got it. Ugh, horrible!
Ugh, I’m so not ready to have this conversation with my 9 year old daughter although I know I probably should.
These are great tips. My almost 12 year old does not want to have the talk. I’ve talked with her a little bit but I need to really sit down and actually discuss things with her!
I still remember when I started my period very well!! I freaked out, of course. My mo didn’t seem to put much thought into it. My dad, on the other hand, came home with a bouquet of flowers and took me out to dinner…..it was very awkward for 12 year old me!
It was easy for me – I had boys 😉
My mom never really had the talk with me either. Which is weird, because like your daughter, the doctor told her when I was in 3rd grade that I could get it at any time.
I’m hoping to avoid embarrassment by starting early. Both of my daughters (3 and 5) know the bleeding process happens every month and are well aware of tampons/pads but I think I’ll make it a continued discussion as they get older.
So far I just have a boy, so I do not have to worry about the talk. Great tips though.
Although, Zoe is only 5 she has walked in on me several times while changing my tampons. I’ve told her that girls have what is called a period and will discuss it more in a few years. I never had the talk but knew what it was, however it would have been nice if my mom sat and discussed it all with me.
Those are good tips… I already dread this day and my daughter is only 4!
My mother never talked to me about it. I only had those classes in school and they weren’t that great. I will do better with my daughter when she gets older so she knows. =]
I think our generation has done a much better job with this topic than our parents. Just sayin….:)
Great tips! Thankfully, I’ve got a two and a three-year old, so I can put off this conversation for a few more years!