Do you remember when your mom had the “talk” with you…or did she? My mom talked to my sister and I a little bit about it. I can remember my sister not wanting to hear anything about it. I laugh as I think about it because she was probably plugging her ears and going “lalalalalala,” as mom was talking. I was usually the obedient one who listened and since I was the older sister, I had to experience it first anyway. I can remember my mom giving me a thin paperback book which explained some of what I was going to be going through.
Now it’s my turn to share with my daughter what her body is going through. Last year, while still in elementary school, they showed a short health video on the changes they would be going through. I really wanted Emily to hear about the facts of life from me and not this video. So I started the conversation. Deep down in my heart, I hope to be the mom who is approachable, and can be asked or told anything. I want our conversations to be meaningful. Which is why we had one of the first talks about the “changes.” I also found a great book by American Girl called The Care and Keeping of You – The Body Book For Girls which we read together. Kotex has helpful information for both of us! One for moms to help us facilitate the talk with our daughters called Pick Your Day. The other is for our daughters called Hello Period. I have looked through both of these pages and I will be back with Emily. Just knowing other girls are beginning this very journey helps with reassuring her!
She started 6th grade last Fall and I wanted her to be prepared so we put together a couple of Kotex Tween Pads in a cosmetic bag. This way she was ready no matter where she was and we will do the same thing this next year.
I will continue sharing our journey during the next several months. It’s not always going to be easy. I still need to share some of the symptoms (cramps, headaches, bloating). I don’t want to scare or stress her out right now. We all know our daughters and how much information they can take all at once.
Do you remember your mom having the talk with you? Or how did your talk go with your daughter(s)?
Disclosure: 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.
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the women in my mature early, I did, so I had the conversation with my 3rd grade daughter last year and I was glad I did. She had her first period on spring break. I could just tell by how moody and crying she was which is not her nature that her hormones were changing. She even has to shave in the 3rd grade because that part of her body matured too! I didn’t go into grave detail about the why. I just told her WHAT happens so she wouldn’t be scared, and explained it HAS to happen so that when she is married she can have babies. Later on I will get her an age appropriate book, but I felt more details now may overwhelm her
We do have to talk to our girls earlier and earlier these days. Your daughter has a great mom! 9 years old is pretty young to go into the details. I agree with you…little by little. Which is also what I have been doing with Emily.
I don’t want to overwhelm her, I just want her to be prepared.
One of my third graders had her period when I was teaching. She was totally freaked out because she had not a clue what was happening. And when it was over, she was so relieved- but she thought she was done FOREVER. Definitely a good idea to talk it over so they understand… and not leave it for the teacher/school nurse to have to explain!
How sad…I don’t think we had the talk that early but I do remember her asking me questions about my period. I told her someday she would have hers and pretty much left it at that. I still am feeling sorry for that little 3rd grader who had no idea.
I don’t even want to think about having this talk with Alex!!
I remember having the talk with my mother when I was 12 and it was so embarrassing. Oddly enough, my niece was visiting me when she got hers. So, we went to Walmart and bought some of the Kotex tween pads (how cute are these!?). She loved them and has been buying them every since. I think the color scheme is youthful and it doesn’t seem clinical or scary.
I agree they are adorable and I have even used them myself!