Explaining periods to a three year old

[MrsMike]

I've never really given much thought to what I'd tell a young child about periods. I just figured I'd try to be as honest as possible. I'm sure most of you understand when I say going to the bathroom privately is not part of my reality. I try, but sometimes he makes his way in. He's never really noticed my period - I use a diva cup a empty it when I know he's occupied. I'm going through a miscarriage right now, though, and a diva cup is not an option. Today he noticed blood on the toliet paper. He wasn't freaked out at all and just kept asking why there was blood from my vulva. I just told him it's normal for mommies to have blood there sometimes and it's nothing to worry about. He seemed happy about that and went along his merry way. Should I leave it at that? He's very inquisitive and I know he'll bring it up again (most likely in public). I'm just not sure what to say. I definitely don't want to tell him the truth about what's happening with the miscarriage and just plan to treat it as a period if he has other questions. He doesn't know I was pregnant and would be hysterical if he knew a baby died.

[neetling]

I'd leave it at that. My 3 year old has seen my diva cup (being emptied no less - I get no privacy either) He just knows it's for my period. He hasn't asked for more details, though he has offered to get me pads.

For most things I answer my kids honestly and give age appropriate information. My 3 year old is happy with the period answer. My 7 year old daughter gets a more detailed description about eggs and pregnancy stuff.

[TiredX2]

At that age I told my kids that women made nests inside of their uterus for a baby. If you didn't have a baby, then the nest came out and you made a new one. Worked for my kids. We added complexity as they aged. I wanted it to be clear that it happened consistently (every monthish) and that it wasn't a problem.

[Llyra]

Originally Posted by TiredX2

At that age I told my kids that women made nests inside of their uterus for a baby. If you didn't have a baby, then the nest came out and you made a new one. Worked for my kids. We added complexity as they aged. I wanted it to be clear that it happened consistently (every monthish) and that it wasn't a problem.

Mine are 5, 3, and 3, and so far this is roughly the explanation they've been given. DD1 did ask if it was painful, to which I gave a truthful reply-- "sometimes it feels a little like you have a bellyache, but not a bad one, just a little one." If they ask for more info, I'll give it.

[annettemarie]

I use the nest analogy too. "Every month, a mama's body makes a little nest for a baby that has everything a body needs to make it grow, including blood. If a baby doesn't grow, the mama's body gets rid of that nest and builds a new one the next month."

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jenn.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

My three year old just noticed my last period a week ago. He was soooooooo interested. "Mama, why do you have blood on your toilet paper? Is blood coming out of your bum? What is that little cup?(Diva cup) Why does it have blood in it? Are you going to wash it out? Oooohhh, look at all the blood in the sink! Do you have more blood? Does your bum have more blood? Nice cup Mama! Good job washing your cup Mama! Is you cup in your bum now? Can I see your cup in your bum? Can I see your bum? Great job going potty Mama!!!"

Yup, this was pretty much the running dialog every...single...trip...to the bathroom for a few days.

[leighi123]

I havent had to explain yet but ds has asked why I was wearing a diaper (it was a cloth pad), and another time after my sister took him potty at a restaurant he anounced (loudly) 'I have a penis and S doesnt have one, she just has a string'

[Cujobunny]

Originally Posted by TiredX2

At that age I told my kids that women made nests inside of their uterus for a baby. If you didn't have a baby, then the nest came out and you made a new one. Worked for my kids. We added complexity as they aged. I wanted it to be clear that it happened consistently (every monthish) and that it wasn't a problem.

That's exactly what I said, the nest!

[zinemama]

Yeah, I did the "nest of blood" explanation, too.

If your kid is old enough to ask, that's what I'd do, instead of leaving the impression that blood just randomly comes out of your private parts.

[MrsMike]

Thank you! I think I will go with the nest analogy next time he asks. I have passed all the heavy duty bleeding, which was done while he slept (Thank God!), so he hasn't seen anything else. But......of course he announced it in public. Dh took him to CVS where he loudly asked, "Did you know Mama had blood on her vulva? But it's ok, Daddy." Gotta love it.

[Cascadian]

I use a variation on the nest story...it's a water-bed

[ecoteat]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

My three year old just noticed my last period a week ago. He was soooooooo interested. "Mama, why do you have blood on your toilet paper? Is blood coming out of your bum? What is that little cup?(Diva cup) Why does it have blood in it? Are you going to wash it out? Oooohhh, look at all the blood in the sink! Do you have more blood? Does your bum have more blood? Nice cup Mama! Good job washing your cup Mama! Is you cup in your bum now? Can I see your cup in your bum? Can I see your bum? Great job going potty Mama!!!"

Yup, this was pretty much the running dialog every...single...trip...to the bathroom for a few days.