I am frequently approached by parents who say they are too nervous to talk to their daughters about menstruation. It was not an easy topic for me either to discuss with my daughter. However, I was guided by the very strong desire that she be prepared on the day her period started. To help parents I have put together 5 Tips to help you start this discussion about menstruation with your daughter.

 

1. Talk to her before the topic is discussed in the school health classes.

Setting aside a special time to talk may work with your daughter, or you may want to casually bring up different bits of information as you move throughout the day. Make sure she understands the particulars, and feels comfortable asking questions. She may not appear to be listening, but trust me she will absorb everything you say.

 

2. Share your own memories and experiences from this time in your life.

Did you have any embarrassing moments? Where were you when you started your first period? When did you buy your first bra? Sharing your stories will help your daughter realize that she is not alone in this experience. An excellent book to help you prepare for this conversation is Before She Gets Her Period by: Jessica Gillooly Ph.D.

 

3. Ask other women in your family to share their stories which will provide a sense of family togetherness and will give your daughter an idea of how times have changed.

For example, girls today don't have to deal with the belt and napkin. It used to be that feminine hygiene products were not even advertised on TV. Now many major brands have brightly packaged products specifically aimed at young tween girls.

 

4. Schedule a field trip with your daughter’s friends and their moms to the local drugstore to explore the feminine hygiene aisle.

Today, these products are displayed abundantly, just like shampoo and other personal care essentials. A trip like this reinforces that these products are a normal part of life. Buy a few different sized pads and have your daughter try them out. This will help her determine what size pad is best for when she starts her period.

 

 

5. Remember to keep the lines of communication open and start early.

Being open and honest with your daughter when she is in her early years will lay the foundation for important conversations to take shape as she grows older and has even more challenging questions and issues on her mind. And don't wait for your daughter to initiate the conversation because she may be too embarrassed to do so.

 

 

 

Kathy Pickus is co-inventor of The Dot Girl First Period Kit® and owner of Dot Girl Products. She frequently publishes articles on topics related to raising tween girls. Visit http://www.dotgirlproducts.com for more information.