Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the no tampon thing. I was pretty disgusted with the whole period thing (I was 10.5 years old) and didn't want to see gross blood constantly. My mom only used tampons so I stole a few of hers and LOVED them. I could swim like other girls and not worry about saggy pads (I realize pads are better now than they were 20 years ago). So I'd include a few tampons in her kit just to try.

+1 I got my first period and immediately used a tampon because I had to go to swim practice and didn't want my brothers to find out. Really was not a big deal. Definitely depends on your DD and her personal comfort though. Nice of you to be thinking about this already!

Did your mom show you how, or did you just read the package insert? Just wondering how much a 10 1/2 can figure out with that!

I am the second PP. I figured it out from the package insert. My parents had also bought me a bunch of "What's Happening to My Body?" books so I was generally familiar with the procedure. In fact, I believe the book they bought me was actually called the "What's Happening to My Body? Book for Girls." My twin brother got the boys edition, and my mom made me read, and then discuss, and my dad made him read, and then discuss. Ahhh memories.

I use washable pads. Discussed choices and bought washable pads for my daughter about a year before she got her period. She got it at 11 and it was almost a non-event. That made me really happy as I felt like I'd prepared her well. She has tried tampons a few times but still doesn't like using them.

of course that "d" has suppose to be an "h" lol

First of all - a teen girl does not want her father involved in any way what so ever. Do not let-on that you have even discussed it with him. She will date you for it (I know doesn't make sense, and she wouldn't believe she felt that way when she's older, but at the time - she will hate you for it) AND she barely wants to discuss it with you Mom. Do her a favor - and minimize "your focus" on this. To be honest - she will find her best resource on her own - and it will not likely be you - it will be a trusted friend who's already been though it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the no tampon thing. I was pretty disgusted with the whole period thing (I was 10.5 years old) and didn't want to see gross blood constantly. My mom only used tampons so I stole a few of hers and LOVED them. I could swim like other girls and not worry about saggy pads (I realize pads are better now than they were 20 years ago). So I'd include a few tampons in her kit just to try.

+1 I got my first period and immediately used a tampon because I had to go to swim practice and didn't want my brothers to find out. Really was not a big deal. Definitely depends on your DD and her personal comfort though. Nice of you to be thinking about this already!

Did your mom show you how, or did you just read the package insert? Just wondering how much a 10 1/2 can figure out with that!

I was the first pp. I just read the package, but it's pretty easy. I never, ever talked about it with my mom. My mom is a doctor and she was always trying to embarrass me with talks about this stuff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the no tampon thing. I was pretty disgusted with the whole period thing (I was 10.5 years old) and didn't want to see gross blood constantly. My mom only used tampons so I stole a few of hers and LOVED them. I could swim like other girls and not worry about saggy pads (I realize pads are better now than they were 20 years ago). So I'd include a few tampons in her kit just to try.

+1 I got my first period and immediately used a tampon because I had to go to swim practice and didn't want my brothers to find out. Really was not a big deal. Definitely depends on your DD and her personal comfort though. Nice of you to be thinking about this already!

Did your mom show you how, or did you just read the package insert? Just wondering how much a 10 1/2 can figure out with that!

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the no tampon thing. I was pretty disgusted with the whole period thing (I was 10.5 years old) and didn't want to see gross blood constantly. My mom only used tampons so I stole a few of hers and LOVED them. I could swim like other girls and not worry about saggy pads (I realize pads are better now than they were 20 years ago). So I'd include a few tampons in her kit just to try.

+1 I got my first period and immediately used a tampon because I had to go to swim practice and didn't want my brothers to find out. Really was not a big deal. Definitely depends on your DD and her personal comfort though. Nice of you to be thinking about this already!

I disagree with the no tampon thing. I was pretty disgusted with the whole period thing (I was 10.5 years old) and didn't want to see gross blood constantly. My mom only used tampons so I stole a few of hers and LOVED them. I could swim like other girls and not worry about saggy pads (I realize pads are better now than they were 20 years ago). So I'd include a few tampons in her kit just to try.

My DD just got her first period the other day. She is almost 11, so a little younger. She was pretty upset, but has handled it pretty well. She has read the Care and Keeping of You. She told me she had watched a Brain Pop video, that sounded pretty good. She had tons of questions and did want to talk and asked lots of questions. She is a planner. She wanted to have a plan for school. So we talked a lot about that. But since the first day, she has done well and doesn't really want to talk much.

She doesn't want to try tampons, but I gave her the option and put some in her bathroom. She doesn't want everyone to know. So, doesn't want any sort of production made of the event.

The cup is WAY too advanced for a first timer. Stick with pads and make sure you are around when she tries tampons. She might need a woman there for advice.

Pads & liners, no tampons for the first period
My dd knew where they were, and how to use them. She definitely didn't want her dad or brother to know or talk about it.

Once school starts:

I gave my daughter a one time free pass to tell the school nurse whatever she needed to to let her call me and go home "sick" if her first period started at school and she wanted to go home.

I also made sure she had a pad stashed somewhere in her locker and an extra hoodie in her locker that she could tie around her waist if she had a a leak.

Don't overthink it. Good chance your daughter won't want to discuss it with her dad or aunt. The American Girl bookmis great. Mine preferred it to be a non-event. Pad and liners is all you need. Definitely not a cup. Tampons not usually the first couple times. My daughter who is in sports switched to tampons in the first 3-4 months, other daughters have taken longer to switch and stuck with pads.

There is a really great book called "My Little Red Book". It's an anthology of stories about first periods, collected from women from different places and times.

I was introverted and DID NOT want to have that conversation with my mom.

Instead, she left me a book (it was a book from Kotex) and box that had all different kinds of pantyliners, pads and tampons. I loved seeing the variety of options and it did make me excited. I think we forget how exciting it is to get your period the first time. I read through the book numerous times and was so curious.

My daughter is 11 and I want to prepare her, me and husband for her first period. DD has been showing signs for a while and her older brothers hit puberty early. I will be traveling abroad and so also want to make sure DH has some info (along with my near-by sister's number for DD and DH!).

DD and I have talked and she has read American Girl Books and some other my body-type books. I will make sure DH reads the same.

Please share how you prepared (for parents and child):

conversations
materials (pads, tampons, menstrual cup - is this too tricky at first??)
extra undies routinely on hand
books