Anonymous wrote:OMG I would have been mortified by any of this when I was 12.
A year earlier, my mom had a basic chat with me to make sure I understand what was going to happen and how to deal with it. Sometime after that, a box of pads just appeared in my bathroom cabinet. When it was time, I took one and used it. Apparently she checked every once in a while, because just when I was starting to worry about running out, the box was magically refilled.
The only time we really talked about it was when I was 13 and invited to a pool party. When I realized that the timing was going to be awful, I asked my mom for advice. That's when she taught me about tampons. She pulled one out of the package, showed me how it worked (not physically, just showed me how to push the tampon part out of the housing), then sent me into the bathroom and told me to ask if I had questions.
Very matter of fact. No fuss.
I think this is sad. It’s not “fuss” to talk to your daughter about her body.
I grew up having in-depth conversations about my body’s changes & the details of sex with my mom. She was my friend and closest confidant on these matters-and she knew a hell of a lot more than my teenage friends. I’m grateful to her for answering my many questions matter of factly and without blinking or judgement. Because of her I navigated sex making smart & careful choices. I have a happy, healthy attitude towards my body and sex because of her.