Do you have a daughter that is between 9 and 12 years old?
Then today’s post is for you!
The other day after class, I asked one of my students if she knew what to do when she got her first period. She said no and she seemed not to have a clue about what I was saying. (She is 10)
So I explained what menstruation is and what to do when she sees her first period.
Dear parents, please let’s not wait till they are 9 before we have the talk. We should start early and talk to them and prepare your girls for their first period.
But just incase you’re not sure what to say, here are some tips on what to do ( I have also written a book about Period- it’s on Amazon, you can get one for your girl. Title: DEAR GIRL)
I know as parents it can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Be open, honest, and be positive. Just talk to them, remember it’s a natural thing and it’s part of life.
As a mother you will be doing your daughter a great favor if you prepare them before it happens.
WHAT TO SAY
✅Let them know they are not going to be sick each month, let them know that having a period is not a disease, and that they are not losing lots of blood: (we shouldn’t compare our own periods history with that of our daughter, theirs may be different)
✅ Let them know that seeing their period is a way of their body preparing them for puberty.
✅ Tell them not to be scare that it’s normal for girls their age to have it.
✅Teach them how to look after themselves
✅Provide them with underwears, Panty liners and pads. Explain how there are several options for protecting her clothes when she gets her period—even some you haven’t tried yourself—and ask if she wants to go look at some together.
✅ Teach your daughter how to use a pad, when to change it, and basic hygiene.
✅Teach them how to make a pad out of toilet paper, if they saw their period in school and they have no pad in hand.
✅They need to know that they may not see their period the second month after the first period- that’s ok!
My final thoughts 👇
If you have a daughter that doesn’t want to talk to you about this, You can say, “I know it’s hard for you to talk about this, so just so you know, I got some supplies and they’re in the bathroom. I’d love to talk them over if you need, but feel free to go through it so you know what’s there.”
👉 If you’re still not sure how to talk to them, then I will suggest you ask them to read something before they use a pad or put a tampon in, whether it’s the package insert in the box or a guide in a book.
In addition, you can also get them a book about Period. I have written a book about this topic, it’s available on Amazon. You can get it for your daughter, it answered lots of questions on menstruation.
I hope this helps 🥰
Positive Parenting With Olu 