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!
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
A very useful and informative post. Girls need to be prepared beforehand and the mom must do so. That will help girls feel more confident about their body and not be scared of.
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.
Agree. We should talk to our sons too.
A nice blog rounding up all the details on this vital induction process all moms with daughters go through..
Thanks Sayali.
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.
Useful & informative post. I will like to add Period Kit which should contains basic period essentials.
Absolutely Jenifer. Thanks for the suggestion.
Mine is a toddler and I was asked the same question but I had to explain in her terms. Much needed for parents. #tmmreads
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
Mine is a toddler and asked me the same question I had to reply in terms she could understand. Good one for parents. #tmmreads
So good that you decided to put it out there! It’s something every parent with a daughter must read
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 🙂
Thanks, Leha
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.
I remember going through this situation myself in school. Preparing and counseling our girls about this is very imp
this is such a helpful post. love the topic which you picked
#MyFriendAlexa #Hemareads
http://www.zenithbuzz.in
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.
It’s good to hear that you were prepared. ?
These are the important lessons and tips need to be shared with every daughter so that they be prepared!!
This is very important post and least talked topic. First periods in school create panic in girls. Its important that they are made aware at right time.
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!
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.
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.
Ben there! And its downright scary.A wonderful topic…I think every mom of a daughter needs to read and act on this. #MyFriendAlexa #Wordsmithkaurreads
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.
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.
Thanks for visiting and the appreciation. I hope my post helps parents to adopt the right way to talk to their children.
Absolutely. It is a very informative and useful post.
I wish every mother reads this article Aesha, I fainted when I saw blood for the first time. I wish I had known.
Thank you, Roma. I know we have gone through this and I wanted to prepare my daughter before it hits her.
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.
Inaaya is a long way off and I’ve totally forgotten my own times. This post has equipped me 🙂
thank you so much.
In my school we had a session on this and we were told to approach our PT mam in case of emergency..I really feel that is something required in all schools…my mom taught me much later in 9th std but we were taught in school at 7th
Yes that is true. If school teachers and counsellors should be the first source of information for children
I don’t have a daughter but I found this article interesting and informative. ?
I think most kids are very well aware of this phase… either because of friends or the internet or perhaps over hearing conversations at home. So they probably not in a state of shock… But Yes, they still need emotional support.
Something related to this – http://confusedparent.in/some-people-are-getting-rewarded-for-bleeding-period-guess-who-how-why/
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.
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.
Yes, it’s more of an emotional change , thus the need of parents to prepare them in advance so they are ready .
This is a very informative post Aesha. Thank you sharing. My daughter is about to be 10 years and this is very helpful.
I am glad that you found it useful. Thanks for reading Geethica
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.
Thanks for reading Nayantara
Such a feel good post it was. Much needed awareness at the moment. Thanks for boldly speaking about this.
Thanks for reading Vasantha
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
Thanks a lot for reading Anubhuti and sharing your experience
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 🙁
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
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.
Yes in our school too.
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
Very informative post. I remember I got my period in school and cried for an hour….Thank you for sharing this …
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.
Thanks Vidhi. We choose to avoid discussion on menstruation which results in embarrassment for young girls. It’s necessary to be openly communicated.
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
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
That is such an informative post. Quite helpful for mommies to daughters.
Thanks Anchal
This took me back to my days !! And yes I am so glad that my mother had well inducted me through the entire proces s
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.
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.