When raising a daughter, I am sure many of you are like me and dread the teenage years. Two out of three of my daughters have already started their periods and having that talk before it happens isn’t anything I looked forward to. You know, I don’t really remember my mom having the talk with me about periods. If I remember correctly my cousin who I spent most of my childhood with started her period before me, so I already knew what a period was before mine came. I can’t say that I was prepared because I started mine at school, but I knew what was happening so I didn’t panic too bad.
What I didn’t know until this last few months is that girls have their periods as early as 8 years old with the average age being around 12. Since I started mine when I was in junior high, I always figured girls started their period in their teenage years. I didn’t have the talk with my two oldest until right before they started junior high. I didn’t want them to start their period during school like I did and not know what to do.
Since girls can start to menstruate as early as 8, it is important to talk to them early. My youngest daughter just turned 8 this past Friday and I have already been planning on having our first talk real soon. The earlier that you start talking to your daughter about the changes that she will experience, the better prepared she will be. It is also important to have the right products for your daughter on hand before her period comes to make it less uncomfortable when the day comes she starts to menstruate.
When you have the talk it might be uncomfortable for your daughter so choose a time that is good for the both of you. Pick a time that is stress free and try to be casual. You might want to start out with asking your daughter what she already knows. You would be surprised just how much information children can learn from other kids at school, other family members and especially their friends. You might also want to be sure your daughter has been given the correct information. Be open and honest and try to answer any questions she might have and don’t just leave this talk for one conversation. Make it many!
For those that don’t know, Kotex has a great U by Kotex Tween feminine product line that includes different pads and liners designed for the young ladies. For more helpful information about having the First Period Talk, be sure to visit: www.kotex.com/tween
“I wrote this review while participating in a Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of U by Kotex Tween and received products to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
I find it is getting easier and easier to address these issues with our kids because of all of the information on the internet! 🙂
It’s blowing my mind that girls are having their periods as early as age 8 now.
My daughter just got her at age 11. That is younger than it used to be.
It’s always awkward at first, but you shared some great tips to make it easier!
My DD is only three, so hopefully I have a few years!
Have a son, so I won’t have “this” particular talk… I will talk to him about it, just not the same way or as early as I would if he were a girl. 🙂
My girls are 7n and 9, the oldest one wears deodorant already for about a year now. Im real nervous about having talks like this with them, I dont know if I should talk with them seperately or not, or what to tell and what not to tell them (at least yet.) Im ok with having the talk with them, ( growing up issues) so they’re not naive so much, its just going to be hard. I think I need to look up more info and ask moms that have older kids. Thanks for posting.
EIGHT? Wow! My daughter is five … I can’t imagine dealing with this in three years.
My wife and I are so not so scared about having the period talk with or Daughter. She knows what happens with it, but not to the point of the reason that it happens. She is almost 11 now, so hopefully though, it happens later rather than sooner.