What If I Get My First Period At School?

A few days back I wrote about ways of initiating the talk about menstruation and puberty with kids. From the feedback that I received from mothers; I observed that many of them resonated with my viewpoint and are also cautious about the issues pertaining to menstruation. They are conscious about initiating this discussion and I assume there will be many questions in their mind about guiding their daughters when they get their first period too.

My First Period:

Puberty brings emotional changes along with physical changes also in a young girl.  I remember when I got my first period; I felt very vulnerable. But luckily it was vacation time and I was at my grandparents’ home and had my grandmom, mother and aunt to help me out of the emotions upheaval that I was facing at that time. Also, I was 16 years old and I had a fair knowledge of menstruation.

A mother’s concern:

My daughter is 8 years, I feel she is too innocent and young but I am already seeing signs of puberty hitting her soon. So when she asked me about why I need to wear a sanitary pad, I explained to her about the changes in the body that a young girl goes through.

I have shared my experience in my post here:

“Mom Why Do You Wear A Diaper?” “You Are Not A Baby!

“What If I Get My Period At School?”

I have always had this anxiety about what if I am not around my daughter to provide emotional support when she gets her first period?  What if she gets her first period at school and what if she asks me, about having periods at her school?

All of these questions made me write this post. I have answers and would like to share with my readers.

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Prepare yourself:

As a mother be well prepared for the changes in your daughter. During a routine visit to your doctor, you should ask for guidance regarding when to expect the first period. After examining or observing your daughter, he will be able to tell you whether it is arriving in the next 6 months, or it could be a year or more away.

Prepare your daughter:

Firstly tell your girls not to be embarrassed about it. It’s as natural a change in the body as growing tall or losing your milk teeth. Even before she approaches her menstrual age, prepare her for this change. She should know what to do if she gets her first period when she is away from family. If in school, she can request a call home instead of feeling uncomfortable while having the first period.

Wearing a sanitary pad:

Inform about the use of a sanitary napkin and how to wear it.

Don’t get caught off guard:

Be prepared. Girls need to have their pads with them at all times to avoid worries and being caught off guard.

Carry an extra pair:

In order to avoid a panic situation, always carry an extra pair of undergarments.

Do not worry:

Girls need to know that they should not worry about the smell and should change the sanitary pad every couple of hours.

Do not hesitate:

In case one is not carrying a sanitary napkin, do not hesitate to approach teachers, school nurse or friends to ask for one.

Call home:

In a highly unlikely event if the school doesn’t have a sanitary napkin, approach the school reception and call home.

Girls could get worried and scared if they are not prepared to face the situation of having their first period at school. So it is imperative for parents to keep them well informed and prepare them well in advance. Do not hesitate to seek the help of an expert to guide you through the entire process of this very important change in your daughter. This expert could be your doctor or a counsellor.

I believe that all the information that we give to our daughters should not become too overwhelming for them. You are a mother and the best person to make this transition easy and natural for your daughter.

Do share with us if your daughter has also asked you questions about her first period.  Let us share our experiences and help each other solve the mysteries of parenting!

Happy Parenting!

 

64 thoughts on “What If I Get My First Period At School?”

  1. First period is always an emotional feeling. I remember my time I wasn’t even aware of it. Glad that moms now share this talk with their daughter. It makes them prepared and comfortable at same time

  2. Noting this under my mental to-do list for sure! Thankfully I too was home with my mom when I got my first period.
    Also, I feel we should educate our sons about periods as well to be able to help and respect the women around them and their needs. It’s high time we stopped talking about this natural process in hushed tones.

  3. When I first came to know about periods as a small girl this was my worry too. You have shared such useful points which as mothers we must take care off.

    1. I have written a post on that as well. My daughter was 7 year old and asked me why I wear a diaper. You could check that out too. Thanks for visiting my blog

  4. Much important topic, Aesha. So well written. We should be talking about how menstruation empowers us. Girls need to understand the power within them and it begins with such open conversations at home 🙂

  5. I am so glad that you spoke about this. It will help me deal with my daughter and her insecurities while growing up. In our generation, they expected us to take care of this on our own. Glad that we live in times where our daughters will have open-minded and supporting mothers and aunties like you.

  6. I got my first periods in school, during my English class. My Mom had already prepared me and she ensured that I carried a sanitary pad in my bag.

  7. This is such a useful post. I have always wondered why some mothers refrain from speaking about periods with their daughters. Not only will it remove any doubts but it will help the young girl to be able to tackle the puberty stage with confidence. Great article!

  8. I am so impressed by this post. As a middle school teacher, girls getting their first period at school is such a common sight. Many of these girls are completely unaware about what is happening. As a result, they are so embarrassed and terrified to even talk about it and just sit there for a long time with the stained skirt. We need to educated our daughters about periods early on and not wait to talk about it after the first period. I am so glad to have come across this post. Wonderful job.

    1. Thanks a lot, Felicia. I have been a teacher and experienced that many girls are unaware as you said. Thanks again for the appreciation and keep visiting my blog.

    1. I know, we have been there and so we need to talk to our daughters. Also we need to talk to our sons so they compassionate and understand the emotions of the girls during this time.

  9. Puberty is always a tough situation to deal with it. I went back to my days and the emotional change attached with it. It is a very well written post and highlights all aspects. This topic surely needs to be discussed henceforth with the child.

    1. Thanks for visiting and the appreciation. I hope my post helps parents to adopt the right way to talk to their children.

    1. Thank you, Roma. I know we have gone through this and I wanted to prepare my daughter before it hits her.

  10. I remembered my first day of period very wel. I was in school but my mother taught me everything about this already. So i managed it easily. And i will do the same with my daughter too but on right time.

    1. That is precisely why I would like to communicate it to my daughter before she gets irrelevant informs from all the sources that you mentioned.

  11. As a teacher I had come across such a situation when one of my girl students had experienced her first periods in school. I remember more than the physical discomfort it was social embarrassment that troubled her. She had to be counseled on how to deal with such a situation.

  12. This is such a helpful post Aesha. It took me to my childhood and my first period. Luckily it was in the summer holidays at home. But mom was still away at work and I had to take my grandma’s help. But we had had an orientation at school which had helped us too.

  13. I had this in my head all the time..I had all info about periods from my friends but thankfully I had my first at home but just a day before my 10th boards started…some great tips to be saved esp for moms of girls attaining puberty soon

  14. the headline shook me, and the statement where you mentioned your baby is 8 years old, rattled me completely. It s a harsh reality we are facing. You have mentioned some great tips in here, will share it with my sister who’s baby is just about this age 🙁

    1. It is indeed scary but the reality today is this that girls are hitting puberty by the age of 8 or 9. Thanks for reading

  15. We were shown a picture in the school and were given sanitary napkins I remember. Initially was confused why this happens thankfully Mom managed to explain me well and satisfiedall my queries.

      1. These are some very practical and genuine tips to be taught to our girls so that they’re prepared for periods and are not caught off-guard

  16. momtasticworld

    Very informative post. I remember I got my period in school and cried for an hour….Thank you for sharing this …

  17. You have handled a very sensitive topic in a very mature way. I remember during my school days, some of my friends who were not very informed used to get terrified and embarrassed. I am sure many patents will be benefitted by your post.

    1. Thanks Vidhi. We choose to avoid discussion on menstruation which results in embarrassment for young girls. It’s necessary to be openly communicated.

  18. When we were in school our teachers would do a session with us all telling us all this and not to worry and to approach any teacher they are comfortable with and the teacher will help in whichever way possible.

    I remember not understanding

    Thankfully my period came at home ?

    I am always scared what will happen with my girl but I will prepare her when she is 8

  19. karuna chauhan

    I had early periods among my group of friends and i had no clue but my mom came to my immediate rescue. Now being a mom this is on my mental to do list. thanks for the info

    1. Though it also includes every family member but I think being a mother one has to be very comfortable with this topic.. I remember my mother sat with me and explained everything about periods uite in advance before I finally had my periods.

      1. Such topics are less talked about in most of the families but a mother can assure smooth sail through this phase by openly educating girls about periods.

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