DD had sleepovers this weekend. Each night she had multiple friends over. The house cleaner arrived today and I typically follow her around collecting the trash bags from the different rooms. In DD's bathroom there were wrapped up pads. I went into DD's room and asked her if she got her period!. No it wasn't her, it was one of the other girls, but boy, they are 10 & 11. I am so not ready for this.
Any advice? Specifically on what to teach her to use when it happens (I am wanting pads, not tampons at this age) But also, I want her friends to be comfortable, what should I stock for them? Should I offer anything? Stock midol? Should I openly let the girls know not to be afraid to ask me for things they need? What do parent's do these days? In my day, no one talked about it.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
What I did was buy the products and told Caitlyn where they were.
At 10 or 11, they've had the movie in school. They know more about it than you think.
I made myself relax before talking to Caitlyn.
It's a natural, normal thing.
We had the sex talk.
I made sure she knew she could come to me, about anything, and if I didn't know, I'd find out.
As for friends, if they are at my house and need something, I don't mind.
I think the big thing is to remember how you felt when you were going through that.
And once she does start, you can have a monthly "not pregnant" party.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Have a talj about it and keep some pads available in the bathroom for her friends just in case. I am pretty matter of fact with Dd.
Yep, I've done this. There is a supply in her bathroom. My talk with her tonight was about making her friends comfortable and letting them know where the supply is. I am thinking I should just tell the girls myself. I've already discussed with DD multiple times, but she doesn't want to talk tonight. Just had the most hilarious convo through her door tonight. She is not looking forward to this!
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
You can mention it to her gfs with an "oh btw there are pads in there if any of u need one". And realize your dd will be mortified when u say that. lol
What I did was buy the products and told Caitlyn where they were.
At 10 or 11, they've had the movie in school. They know more about it than you think.
I made myself relax before talking to Caitlyn.
It's a natural, normal thing.
We had the sex talk.
I made sure she knew she could come to me, about anything, and if I didn't know, I'd find out.
As for friends, if they are at my house and need something, I don't mind.
I think the big thing is to remember how you felt when you were going through that.
And once she does start, you can have a monthly "not pregnant" party.
Thanks lily on the "how I felt part" not so much on the party thing.
I joked with Caitlyn that it was what I called it when she started.
But she and I have a twisted sense of humor.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
You can mention it to her gfs with an "oh btw there are pads in there if any of u need one". And realize your dd will be mortified when u say that. lol
LOL, she is mortified, but I know her friends may be mortified too but also grateful.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
I'll have the talk with the boys some day, so they will be sympathetic.
Really, it was no big deal in our house, growing up. After my mother had her hysterectomy, I went with my father to buy her some pads. I was in 5th grade, and already knew about it. I was 11 when I started mine. I was wearing yellow denim (don't judge) and had horrible cramps. I might have gone to the office to have my mother pick me up, I do not recall. I remember my mother telling me to go to the bathroom and check my underwear. Then I saw a couple spots. So then we knew why I was cramping.
I used to get so sick each month, where I had to lay on a heating pad. My brother was very sweet to me when I was sick. One time the dog had gotten in the trash outside and strewn the pads all over the backyard. He cleaned it up all up and secured the lid to the can before mentioning it to my mother. I'll never forget that.
My mom gave me a kit that I could keep in my back pack that included - fresh undies, a couple of pads and some wipes. Under the sink was a box of pads, liners, etc. She was just super honest about it. I think knowing that I always had my kit made it not as awkward when it happened at school the first time. I was able to quickly clean up and get on with my day.
I'll have the talk with the boys some day, so they will be sympathetic.
Really, it was no big deal in our house, growing up. After my mother had her hysterectomy, I went with my father to buy her some pads. I was in 5th grade, and already knew about it. I was 11 when I started mine. I was wearing yellow denim (don't judge) and had horrible cramps. I might have gone to the office to have my mother pick me up, I do not recall. I remember my mother telling me to go to the bathroom and check my underwear. Then I saw a couple spots. So then we knew why I was cramping.
I used to get so sick each month, where I had to lay on a heating pad. My brother was very sweet to me when I was sick. One time the dog had gotten in the trash outside and strewn the pads all over the backyard. He cleaned it up all up and secured the lid to the can before mentioning it to my mother. I'll never forget that.
I think it is as big a deal as you make it. If you are too embarrassed to talk to your daughter about it, then she will become too embarrassed to talk to you about it.
We talked about it early on - one of her friends started at age 9 (aaarrrrgggg!). But I have not put an emergency kit under her sink. I probably need to do that.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
The house I grew up in didn't have any type of cabinet or closet in the bathroom.
Mom kept the box beside the commode on a little shelf in the floor.
I'd sometime get bored while using the bathroom and start reading the bottles, boxes and cans there.
When my time came, I just knew what to do.
Mom didn't even know for a couple months.
My talk consisted of "you're becoming a woman. If you see you are running out of pads, tell me. When you get married, your husband will tell you about sex."
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
The house I grew up in didn't have any type of cabinet or closet in the bathroom.
Mom kept the box beside the commode on a little shelf in the floor.
I'd sometime get bored while using the bathroom and start reading the bottles, boxes and cans there.
When my time came, I just knew what to do.
Mom didn't even know for a couple months.
My talk consisted of "you're becoming a woman. If you see you are running out of pads, tell me. When you get married, your husband will tell you about sex."
OMG my mother didn't even tell me about sex. I learned it as all the other girls did, walking to school with a friend whose father had a subscription to playboy.
__________________
Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
The house I grew up in didn't have any type of cabinet or closet in the bathroom.
Mom kept the box beside the commode on a little shelf in the floor.
I'd sometime get bored while using the bathroom and start reading the bottles, boxes and cans there.
When my time came, I just knew what to do.
Mom didn't even know for a couple months.
My talk consisted of "you're becoming a woman. If you see you are running out of pads, tell me. When you get married, your husband will tell you about sex."
OMG my mother didn't even tell me about sex. I learned it as all the other girls did, walking to school with a friend whose father had a subscription to playboy.
I swore I would never do that to my kids.
I asked mom years later about it. Why she couldn't talk to me about it.
She said it isn't something you talk about.
I told her it was a good thing I didn't learn about sex from someone who liked to beat me stupid first.
I wasn't going to do that to my kids.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I'll have the talk with the boys some day, so they will be sympathetic.
Really, it was no big deal in our house, growing up. After my mother had her hysterectomy, I went with my father to buy her some pads. I was in 5th grade, and already knew about it. I was 11 when I started mine. I was wearing yellow denim (don't judge) and had horrible cramps. I might have gone to the office to have my mother pick me up, I do not recall. I remember my mother telling me to go to the bathroom and check my underwear. Then I saw a couple spots. So then we knew why I was cramping.
I used to get so sick each month, where I had to lay on a heating pad. My brother was very sweet to me when I was sick. One time the dog had gotten in the trash outside and strewn the pads all over the backyard. He cleaned it up all up and secured the lid to the can before mentioning it to my mother. I'll never forget that.
I think it is as big a deal as you make it. If you are too embarrassed to talk to your daughter about it, then she will become too embarrassed to talk to you about it.
We talked about it early on - one of her friends started at age 9 (aaarrrrgggg!). But I have not put an emergency kit under her sink. I probably need to do that.