Best approach with informing daughter of mother natures monthly gift

United States
September 7, 2010 9:16am CST
OK my daughter is turning into a young lady, she is starting to develop physically, And i have noticed certain signs.. The last couple of years she has always asked me why i used pads/ tampons and i just responded when the time comes ill let you know.. your too young right now to worry about it.. Thanking God she was still too young.. Well i have a small feeling its going to happen and when it does i am going to be so unprepared because i didnt properly prepare her myself... I'm not ready to see my baby girl growing up, but i dont want her to not be ready for the change either.. I have researched ways to go about it and explain in, but in my personal opionion i like to hear advice from mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, that have been there, that have had to have that talk. what they did, what was easiest, i want to make this as uncomfortable as possible for both her and i. but i want to give her as much info as needed as well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
1 person likes this
5 responses
@emarie (5442)
• United States
8 Sep 10
I had 2 older sisters and a mother so I had an idea about what happens. I think once she starts asking is when you need to talk to her about it. Physically explain what will happen and of course what to do when it happens. For girls, you can probably start as early as 10 with them. Start off talking about yourself and what you go through once a month (don't scare her though). It's always different for most woman. I remember my mother telling me a few months before mine started to get prepared that it might happen soon. She said I'll wake up and I'll see blood on my panties and to not panic and tell her so she can clean me up and she'll show me how to use pads and everything. I guess you just need to be blunt. Kids aren't stupid and they're smarter then we give them credit for. You yourself know how it is to go through it for the first time so just explain your experiences with her and she should understand.
1 person likes this
@emarie (5442)
• United States
8 Sep 10
I got mine on my first day of middle school summer school. So I think I was around 12 or 13 as well. But just let her know it's completely natural and there's nothing to worry about. I didn't have much symptoms at first aside from the bleeding so it went pretty well for me. But just remember to start her off with pads and not tampons. THOSE are scary for a little girl. I think they're scary now but that's just me. A mom can always understand that time of the month. Just make sure she comes to you and not her father (or other male in the house) because the shock they have might scare her. lol
• United States
8 Sep 10
THANK YOU ever so mucH! i really appreciate it! she's going to be 10 soon and thats what im worrying about.. i didnt get mine until i was 12 so i was hoping for a few more years... but she is much farther advanced physically then i was at her age.. i want to prepare her so that she isnt scared. now is the time! thanks again!
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Sep 10
hi you should have started her when she first asked you but now youst be honest and keep it simple and make it as natural sounding as possible. Mymom never told me and I had to be told by a teacher. so just sit down and be gentle and do not be embarrassed as its a natural normal thing that happens to all young girls,not something embarrassing or as my mom thought nasty. You need to be honest and gentle and calm too.be comfortable with her as she is your own flesh and blood. relax it will be fine as you will find the right words and tell her simply and honestly and without embarrassment.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Sep 10
thank you... i do not want my daughter getting this info from anyone other then myself. she is my daughter and it is my duty to explain certain things to her. I am scheduling the talk and it will happen! Thanks for your response!
@BlueAngelRS (2899)
• Canada
7 Sep 10
I'm a mother but my daughter is very young yet but I kind of remember my moms talk with me to prepare me....I will do my best that was years ago.....My mom just explained that once a month you can bleed it's called your monthly period it is very normal for a girl your age to experience...Don't be scared if you see blood and you may have some pain in your lower tummy (where menstral cramps are)....I was in school the one day it occurred and I remember what my mom said so I got permission to run home as I lived in a small community and I told my mom and she told me where the pads were and she even went out and bought different things for me to decide which I felt comfortable with....Having the warning from my Mom I was less frightened...
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Sep 10
thank you for your response... i want to make it as less frightening for my daughter as possible.. i can not remember when my mother and i talked about it or even if we did... so every piece of advice will be greatly appreciated!! thanks again~
@jessi0887 (2788)
• United States
7 Sep 10
Im a mother but of boys so no personal experience. I do recall how i was informed. Most schools have a program that shows you a video on the situation. I watched the video and then what i felt i didn't learn i asked my mom. Im sure you can find a video online. It really is informative and quite frankly i think it was the best way for me to learn about the monthly visit.
7 Sep 10
My eldest daughter is in a similar situation. She is only 9 but she needs to use deoderant now and things are changing for her too. I have always been honest and open with her about things like this. If she ever asks me a question I always tell her the truth so that she understands what may happen to her as she changes. Some people may think that I have told her too much too young, but I want to have the kind of relationship with my daughters that I never enjoyed with my own mother. I want my girls to be able to come to me and talk to me and ask me all the questions they want knowing that I would tell them the real answers.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Sep 10
thats exactly what i want for my daughter as well.. my mother and i were and are still very close and i want to keep that simuilar relationship with my daughter.. THANK YOU for your comment!