Anonymous wrote:PP here ^ looking at their site right now... says below in their FAQ... but... really!?

Won’t the blood get all over my other clothes if I put them in the washing machine?
Nope! Washing Thinx with your other laundry is perfectly hygienic and won’t stain your other clothes — if you’re still concerned, you can also give your undies a quick rinse after use, allow them to dry, then throw them in the hamper for laundry day.

PP here. I mean, to me, the whole concept is kind of gross and questionable, but then again, my periods were like slaughterhouses in my underwear each month. My tween's cycles are light enough that this kind of product works perfectly for her. My husband is the one who does laundry and he reports no complaints with bloody laundry. I try not to think about the whys and the hows too much!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I need to start thinking about this too, and see lots of comments here and elsewhere about “period underwear”. I’ve never used it so if anyone who has can let me know what is the best type to get to have on hand for a preteen?

LOL "period underwear" is the old, ratty pair with the stains on them you wear in case you have a leak.

+1 LOL!

PP here ^ looking at their site right now... says below in their FAQ... but... really!?

Won’t the blood get all over my other clothes if I put them in the washing machine?
Nope! Washing Thinx with your other laundry is perfectly hygienic and won’t stain your other clothes — if you’re still concerned, you can also give your undies a quick rinse after use, allow them to dry, then throw them in the hamper for laundry day.

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to rinse out Thinx nightly unless you only have one pair and need to wash to reuse. They'll be ok in the hamper until laundry day.

So- you put in the Thinx with dried blood with other laundry?

You don't need to rinse out Thinx nightly unless you only have one pair and need to wash to reuse. They'll be ok in the hamper until laundry day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I need to start thinking about this too, and see lots of comments here and elsewhere about “period underwear”. I’ve never used it so if anyone who has can let me know what is the best type to get to have on hand for a preteen?

LOL "period underwear" is the old, ratty pair with the stains on them you wear in case you have a leak.

Period underwear is absorbent leakproof underwear deigned to absorb upwards of 8 tsp of liquid. Some wear just the underwear. Some like it as back up to a pad, tampon or cup.

Do you have any experience with it and a brand to recommend? Obviously this is what I was talking about, not ratty old crap...

Thinx is one brand. I just couldn’t see my 10 yo using tampons or pads (I had a feeling they wouldn’t be taken care of in a hygienic manner when used) and I got her a ton of Thinx and they are great. She just chucks them in her dirty clothes when she’s done because they’re black and you can’t see any stains they make. They are a touch thicker than normal underwear but she has never complained about that. They don’t have girls sizes but an XS has been fine.

I can't see this either, but I am not sure I can see her rinsing her undies out either?
Does she wash them? Or you put them all in the same wash?
There is NO WAY I am setting myself up to be washing out the blood of my teen who is able to do it herself.

My mom got me a necklace. I loved it.

Anonymous wrote:I think the best way to make the most of a first period is to day “here’s a pad and some Advil. Let me know when you’re ready to head out and I’ll take you to CVS and let you pick out your own period products. I’ll help you.”

Then put on your masks, go to CVS, and happen to take a spin through the makeup and candy aisles and say “yes” to everything, suggesting silly or indulgent purchases along the way. That’s a chill but fun memory she will have.

I like this

Anonymous wrote:https://www.drnorthrup.com/celebrating-a-girls-first-period/

So this articulates that many cultures celebrate first menstruation because basically acknowledges its tied to having babies, which is historically tied to marrying off women and them taken on a motherly role in home and in the community....

Article clearly articulates that if you want to have a coming of age celebration or ceremony it does not have to be tied to menarche. Which is what many people, cultures and religions do. Think Bar Mitzah, Quinceinera, Sweet Sixteen, etc etc.

Don’t really get the need or purpose for celebration. It’s a developmental milestone just like walking and talking. And people noting African and Asian culture obviously don’t understand the historical context in which this would be celebrated.

I’m all for ensuring that girls feel good about themselves and that this is nothing to be fearful or shameful. Beyond that, its hygiene and best practices and then moving on with life.

And besides for most women, periods are more a nuisance over life.

Anonymous wrote:Give her a First Moon Party!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gKNKUN7ShE

But, seriously - lay off.

This didn't get enough attention when it was first posted! It is a hilarious video and well worth watching.

I don't think the two options are a celebration or viewing it as shameful. As so many people have said, be emotionally supportive, help with supplies and cramp meds, if needed. If celebrating is a cultural thing, that's one thing. If that's not the case, I think I'd skip the celebration and gifts.

Not really something you can do now but I took my daughter to get a pedicure when she got hers for the first time. Since something was happening to her body that was uncomfortable, I wanted her to DO something FOR her body that was comforting.

I also gave her an empty makeup bag that fits about half a dozen tampons and a few pads. That way she can just take that with her to the bathroom, or hand it to a friend if they need it.

How about a nice needlepoint that reads, "Congratulations! Your ovaries released an egg" and then you could have like egg salad for lunch?

Do something really nice for her and rake her for an iud. Theres no reason she should have to suffer with a period.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom got me flowers when I got my first period and I was touched and have a special memory about it.

I think flowers would be lovely and special. why not?

Np. How is getting your period an accomplishment? I dont understand the celebratory aspect. It is just a bodily function that annoys you for years. Yeah?

My husband once gave me flowers because I had the flu. He wanted to cheer me up. Getting the flu was really not an accomplishment.