THAT time of month

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PMS and periods and cramps are regular topics in this household with 5 females, 3 of which are old enough to complain about it together. With another daughter not so far away from puberty, it means that we’ll be having that initial talk again.

Back when I “became a woman”, I don’t know whether my mum was too embarrassed to talk about it or maybe her mum didn’t chat to her about it so she didn’t know how to talk about it with me. She basically handed me some sanitary napkins and let me deal with it on my own. I had no idea what I was doing, didn’t know what I could do about the cramps I was getting or why I suddenly was getting in these moods and hated everyone!

I remember asking my grandmother when she first got her period, and she looked as though she was going to faint! I quickly realised that I wasn’t going to get my questions answered by my mum or grandmother and ended up finding things out “in the school yard” as you do.

I always said that if I ever have daughters, I’m going to make sure that they know what’s happening when the time comes and that they can come to me with any questions they may have.

I even made up a “kit” with all types of feminine hygiene products in all shapes and sizes, hot water bottles and panadol. The chocolate just gets added each month! LOL

It would be great to be able to make it a more pleasurable experience for my girls instead of having them freaking out! That’s why I was so excited to learn about CHANGES.

!cid_DDDFB905-AF0A-4CA5-B4ED-3EC93AE38EAD@starwoodbroadband

Created by Tara Harrington and Susanne Marcotte-Carroll, two registered nurses who between them have 5 young tween girls, each pack contains a guide which answers questions, a calculator to help your daughter track her menstrual cycle, a mood pen and journal, and 3 fragrances. If your daughter is sporty, get her the green kit. If your daughter is girly, get her the pink kit.

Tara and Susanne also created the website, herchanges.com where you can learn more about the product and there’s also Chick Chat, a forum for mums and daughters to chat (and have their questions answered by the registered nurses) in a safe environment.

Now all we need is a cute pack like that for me when I go through menopause and we’re set!

How do you deal with “the talk”?

Technorati Tags: puberty,herchanges,changes

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Jadey

I know my Mum told me about it long before my first period arrived so I didn't freak out. Apparently no one had told her anything about it when she first got her period and she thought she was dying from internal bleeding. Poor thing.

Paula

I'm definitely going to check that out! I have an 11 year old daughter who is going to start her period any time now. Although we've already had "the talk", this will definitely help make it a little bit easier for her.

Chris H

hmm been there done that 3 times already! I just tell it like it is... no fancy beating around the bush... and I always talk about 'it' BEFORE the girl acutally gets her first monthly, that way it ain't a shock!

Petula

That is an excellent idea. Now I remember it was about 1978 when I started mine and my mother had ordered a package of feminine products and a booklet. It was under my bed for the longest time before I needed it, but I was able to read it and learn a few things. I don't remember talking to my mom too much either, but she did explain some things to me and helped me when I needed it. My oldest daughter is a pro, but I'll have to remember this site when my two youngest girls become "of age." Good info thanks.

Comfy Mom

Fortunately I have been given boys and don't have to worry about it.

When I was a pre-teen there were a collection of books called the Life Cycle Library - one about becoming a woman, one about becoming a man and one about pregnancy, plus a reference book for parents. My folks bought me that, left it on my desk when I was about 10 and that was it. No further mention of those topics was ever made.

MellissaD

What I great idea! I'll show my SIL this - my niece is 8 so is probably only a few years away from needing 'the talk'.

This is something I don't need to think about myself though as I only have a son ;o)

Leah Segedie

I was actually kind of lucky. My mom was a sort of hippie. I knew all about it before it happened, and I was nine when it happened...very young. It happened to her at 9 too, so that's why I think she prepared me so young. She even showed me about tampons before I needed to use them. I was very fortunate because it happened my first day of summer camp. So on our way there, we stopped by the drug store and got me pad and tampons and I was on my way. I was really excited about it because I knew I was a woman.

Most of my friends weren't as lucky, so they all came to me with questions years later because they knew I already dealt with it. I think this new kit is great!

Tina Gray (mummifiedx5)

Wow, that was young! Lucky that your mum prepared you early!

HollyB

That is a great kit, i also learned what I know in the school yard and it would have been so much better if I had not had to do it that way. My niece is getting closer to that age I think I'll let my sister know about this

Tina Gray (mummifiedx5)

I think it would be a great gift for your niece, Holly :)

Pinayjade

This is a great kit - my mom never talked about this too. Didn't even know what my cycle was till I decided I wanna make babies;)

I also promised myself that if I get daughters - they should be able to ask me everything and be comfortable about it.