The Red Tent Movement

[Anonymous]

On the recommendation of this board, I am reading the Red Tent. I love the idea of a first menstruation ritual for a daughter. Has anyone done this? What do you think of the idea?

http://mothering.com/health/first-moon-rising-the-making-of-a-menarche-ritual

[Anonymous]

How wonderfully sweet!

[Anonymous]

I think it's a lovely idea. A little too touchy-feely for me to ever do, but if you are of the mind to do it, I am sure it would create a very special, long-lasting memory for your daughter.

[Anonymous]

I think both my daughters would have had me committed for even suggesting the idea. I can't think of too many girls I know who would go for this type of thing.

[Anonymous]

but the book was so mediocre, and the story of Dina a tragedy.

[Anonymous]

That article is horrifying and I am embarrassed for that girl. One day she is going to wake up and realize how embarrassing this was! My face is literally turning red as I read it!

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty granola myself, but this is too hippie-dippie even for me.

[Anonymous]

I'm very crunchy, but no. This is mortifying.

[Anonymous]

This kind of a thing does exist in some cultures. I am from India and i remember it is a big thing atleast when I was growing up. I dont remember what all was done but a lot of people are invited to bless the girl and there would be a big feast. Nothing done for me because I did not want to announce it to the world

[Anonymous]

Are they witches?

[Anonymous]

I would be MORTIFIED if my mother did that.

bottom line - Make menstruation as normal/natural as possible. My daughter has seen me on my period since she was little. To her it's natural (and gross, too).

But to make a big deal of this is ridiculous.

Why not have a party for your son's first wet dream?

[Anonymous]

This is really bizarre.

I don't get "congratulating" a girl on getting her period - it's not like it's some sort of accomplishment. My oldest hasn't gotten her period yet but she is entering puberty. We've talked a lot, read some books, bought some pads, but she would be utterly horrified if I suggested planning a party and inviting her friends!

[Anonymous]

no. no no no. no. do not do this to your daughter. no.

my own mother made me drive from store to store trying to find the old school pads before they invented the sticky stuff. it was horrifying - me and my mother at every CVS in a 30 mile radius asking if they carried pads that you clip onto your underwear so that she could show her newly menstruating daughter how they used to have to do it. i am 30 and still cringe. i can't imagine how i would have felt if my friends were involved.

please don't humiliate your daughter. getting her period is horrifying enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no. no no no. no. do not do this to your daughter. no.

my own mother made me drive from store to store trying to find the old school pads before they invented the sticky stuff. it was horrifying - me and my mother at every CVS in a 30 mile radius asking if they carried pads that you clip onto your underwear so that she could show her newly menstruating daughter how they used to have to do it. i am 30 and still cringe. i can't imagine how i would have felt if my friends were involved.

please don't humiliate your daughter. getting her period is horrifying enough.

If you are 30, you are younger than I am. And I never had to use anything but sticky pads. Where were you that they didn't have sticky pads?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no. no no no. no. do not do this to your daughter. no.

my own mother made me drive from store to store trying to find the old school pads before they invented the sticky stuff. it was horrifying - me and my mother at every CVS in a 30 mile radius asking if they carried pads that you clip onto your underwear so that she could show her newly menstruating daughter how they used to have to do it. i am 30 and still cringe. i can't imagine how i would have felt if my friends were involved.

please don't humiliate your daughter. getting her period is horrifying enough.

If you are 30, you are younger than I am. And I never had to use anything but sticky pads. Where were you that they didn't have sticky pads?

Nowhere! Nobody carried them because nobody has used them in live 40 years. Hence the fact that we had to drive to so many stores to keep looking. Horrifying.