Today is the day…

…that we send all the boys screaming and hiding their eyes, or at the very least make them squirm in their seat uncomfortably. Today, we’re going to talk about periods.

Peppermist: Whats a period mom? (Like she doesn’t know!)
Me: The dot at the end of a sentence. (Ha take THAT!)
PM: I thought that was a comma! (in Mock shock!)
Me: No, that’s when you bleed every month. (can’t best me!)
PM: Oh. Hey – what do boys get, if girls get a comma? (sly…)
Me: Uh.. (…crap)
PM: I know. Boys get EXCLAMATION POINTS.
Me: *headdesk*

Yes – that’s an actual snarky conversation one day after health class. My kid is AWESOME. *L* And yes, we’re gonna talk a little bit about menstruation and how to broach the subject with your girls. Whether you call it your little friend, your monthly visitor, your Aunt Flow, getting unwell, “Nancy” (don’t ask me why we called it Nancy. When I MET a little girl named Nancy we went back to Aunt Flow – much to her relief!) or any other subtitle – it’s a fact of life. It happened to you, and it will happen to your little girl, too. And what’s worse, is that her attitudes about it, and how she feels about the natural process of her body will only be 50% guided by you. The rest of the (mis)information will come from her peers.

As with everything – I encourage you to TALK TO YOUR CHILD. This is the utmost in importance, because it can be a scary thing, this first period. To find yourself suddenly bleeding, for days, it’s hard to believe that nothing is wrong, that it’s supposed to happen this way.

There are a LOT of useful books and tools out there to help you talk to your daughters if your squeamish about it too, so there’s no excise for having it be a surprise to your pre-teen/teen. If you can’t quite bring yourself to broach The Talk, then check these out:

My first Period Kit & DVD
Dr. Chrustal de Freitas understands how awkward these little “chats” can be, and how parents often get tongue-tied or dance around the details due to embarrassment. Based on her own experience with her daughters, she’s designed the My First Period Kit and DVD to help facilitate discussion about the first period. The goal is to help you share the essential information with your daughter and set a solid foundation for open and healthy discussions. It has accurate, age-appropriate information, and the kit includes some gifts as well.

It includes:
– A 99 minute DVD with the healthy Chats for Girls seminar to watch with your daughter, plus an age-appropriate helpful The birds and the Bees with Ease!”
– Pretty Pad Purse that can slip easily into your daughter’s backpack
– Full Color Parent Guide
– Trendy Butterfly Bracelet
– Handy Quick Reference Card to help tackle Frequently Asked Questions.

My Little Red Book
I saw the editor of this book on the Rachael Ray Show, and have been waiting for this entry to point you all in it’s direction. Mortified by her own first period experience, 18 year old Rachel Kauder Nalebuff decided to get together a collection of first time stories so that the girls out there know that they are not alone. The stories are told by a variety of women from all walks of life, and Rachel hopes it helps “get the conversation Flowing!”

And as we recently celebrated Earth Day, here’s a couple of alternatives to the conventional pads and tampons for you and your daughter.

Luna Pads have gotten a lot of great reviews, and are washable/reusable pads and liners, in a variety of sizes, shapes and fabric patterns, including an ‘intro’ kit for girls and teens.

The Diva Cup: used to collect rather than to absorb the menstrual flow, this alternative is perfect for all activities and ends the hassle of pads and tampons. PLEASE be sure that your daughter is COMFORTABLE with her own body first. This cup is washable, reusable, and is reportedly very easy to use as well. The site covers all the frequently asked questions you can think of, and holds a wealth of information.

There are also a bunch of other books on Amazon – books by American Girl that talk about puberty and taking care of your body, The Care and Keeping of You, among many others. The point is – as always – don’t be afraid to talk to your daughters. It’s a natural thing, and doesn’t have to be scary at all, if your open and honest and let them know what to expect.

Alright boys – you can come back now! 🙂