Tell us your story for a chance to win! - Page 2

[Poppyandsparrow]

Mum didn't discuss it much, but I had an older sister, so I knew it would happen and that it was no big deal. So when it happened for me, at 11, I didn't even tell my mum! About my third period in she remarked that she couldn't understand why we were going through so much toilet paper, and I opened up at that point. A trip to the store later, I was set with tampons and pads and locked myself in the bathroom so I could figure out how to put a tampon in. I DID NOT want any help. I also vaguely remember a 5th grade sex ed talk that gave me the biology version, and it was actually my GP that came in to talk to the class. There was a demonstration of a tampon in a cup of water that gave me the shivers, though at that time I didn't think there was any actual penetration in sex, just that the penis went by the vagina, and aimed. Heh.

If I have a daughter I'll talk frankly about it, make sure she has pads and supplies of all sorts to get comfortable with, and books, because as much as we would like to think our children want to hear it from us, sometimes that's just too mortifying to be dealt with. Maybe she'll want me to make a big deal out of it, maybe she'll want me to NEVER MENTION it again, but we'll see when that time comes.

With my sons, I hope to make sure they're aren't as mortified about periods as most men seem to be, and how to be sweet and comforting when a girl is on her period, like their dad is.

[ihave7kids]

My mom talked to me about it for the first time when I was about 7.  We had a nice, quiet talk in her bedroom (without my brothers) and she explained what

would happen and how its purpose was so that I would be able to have babies when I got older.  She wanted to be sure I knew well in advance so that it couldn't take me by surprise and scare me.  When i finally got my first period, almost 7 years later, I was more than ready.  My mom then taught me how to chart my cycle so that I could pay close attention to my fertility signals.  We often talked about how harmful artificial birth control and replacement hormones can be to a woman's cycle and overall health.  She also talked openly with me about her changing cycles as she went through menopause, so that I could learn from her experiences what to expect.  I am so glad that my mom did all this for me!  Now I am the mom of 7 beautiful children, including 4 girls.  My oldest daughter got her first period a few months ago.  I am taking the same approach that my mom did because it worked so well...thanks, Mom!

[evasasa]

My mom took me to the library , our favorite place and took out some books on the subject.I believe i was in 5th grade. It was all very scientific an basic. Wiht my girls, I have had a very spiritual and open relationship as far as our bodies and nature. They saw their brother born at home and understood the immense connection between the a woman's body and lifesince an early age. My oldest is now 9 and my middle 7 and their borther is now 4 and we are expecting a sister in August. They have noticed that mommy no longer needed pads. So it semed like a good time to discuss why. I explained to them that all girls are born with a supply of tiny little eggs stored in our ovaries. Our bodies cannot use those eggs to create a baby until we are women. There are many signs that we are entering womanhood and the strongest is when our uterus sheds like a snake shedding old skin. The uterus sheds one egg and its lining which made up of lots of red bloodcells. This way each month the egg comes into the womb and and then all the cells clean out so thatsome day  when they are grown and married and ready to have a baby, the uterus will always be clean and will have had lots of practice recieiving an egg from the ovaries. I was actually asked to speak at our local Islamic School to 4th-5th and 6th graders about the female changes, and was so surprised by how many moms just were afraid to discuss anyof this with their girls. A strong discomfort, and fearof having the conversation. I aproached them with such a excited attitude and one of awe at the body's wisdom.  And ever since then, I have been asked back because the girls have all walked away with an excited feeling about the changes in their bodies rather than a fear. And even more importantly a respect for all their body can do. That is what I share with mygirls  sense of awe and respect for womanhood and our bodies. Which hopefully they will carry throughout their lives and pass on to their girls.  

[mleawicks]

In sex ed class at school they told us in 4 and 5 grade. I heard about it from a boy in about 1 or 2 grade on my swing set. My mom didn't have hers anymore so I just didn't see the pads around and ask either. I wish that someone had given me more info. Like just because you don't have anything over night does not mean it's over. I thought it was and had a few messes at school. Luckily it stayed between legs so know one saw it. But the idea that I could have been soooo embarrassed by it was awful. Please make sure your girls know that they should wear a pad even if they get nothing over night. Until the pad is clean during the day. Please Please please do tell them. save them form what I went thro. I told my mom I was mad at Eve. It was all her fault. LOL I will make sure if this kid I will have anytime now is a girl, that she knows more then I did, way before.

[MayasMama88]

My mom talked to me about it a little bit, but I didn't really know what to expect. I started wearing pads (oddly enough) a few days before I ever got my period for the first time, and when I noticed I had it, there was so little blood that I wasn't sure if that was exactly what it was... but I said it was anyway, lol! My mom was so happy for me when it happened, and I was actually shaking with excitement (and a little confusion as to what - exactly - this meant).

From that experience, I have vowed to educate my daughter as well as I can on her body, and of the cycles that she will experience. She is 2.5 years old, and she knows when I'm on my period. She will get my cloth pads for me when we're in the bathroom together (and even stuff one in her underwear on occasion), and because we shower together she sees when I bleed and she is not afraid of it. She actually said, "Maya get period too!" And I had to chuckle a little and tell her that she will get her period, just not for quite awhile, to which she responded with a simple "Yeah!!".

I will celebrate with her in whatever way she feels appropriate for her, but I have a feeling a joyful ritual in nature will be involved!

[jewel1288]

Like many other commenters, my mom didn't tell me anything about my period either. I remember starting my period while we were on vacation visiting family. I had the heaviest flow and it was incredibly uncomfortable. I literally felt sick and had no appetite for the flavor rich foods we were eating. When I went to the bathroom to find that I had started my period, I felt so embarrassed and I didn't tell anyone. I just stuffed my panties with toilet paper. How ineffective. I truly don't know how leakage didn't occur! Even to this day, my mom doesn't like to talk about going to the bathroom; it just makes her uncomfortable for some reason. I, on the other hand talk about poop and my cycle and nipples like it's no big deal. I try to keep things to a minimum for her sake, but I do wish she hadn't dropped the ball with my sister and I when it came to things like our period, sexuality, shaving our legs, wearing a bra, and all things feminine. 

I plan to talk openly and honesty with my daughter about her period and everything else that surrounds being a woman. I never want her to feel ashamed or embarrassed, like I did. I also want her to know she can talk with me about any of those things without fear of me shutting down her concerns or questions. I think that femininity is something to be celebrated and embraced, not afraid of. I also plan to share the joy of using cloth pads with my daughter. I just began using them and I love them. My LO is a cloth diaper baby, so it makes me even more excited to also share cloth pads with her. The fewer chemicals down there, the better! :) I think cycle beads are an excellent idea too, so I plan to be sharing them with my daughter when she begins her period. 

[NubiaEarth]

I was a "late bloomer", so by the time my 13th birthday came and went and my first period had yet to arrive, my older sister was already away at college, and my mother was pregnant with my youngest brother.  No one had ever had "he talk" with me, and from what I had heard from my girlfiends I had decided I was better off without it!

As the time drew closer to my 14th brithday and still no monthly visitor, I became worried... What is wrong with me? Why wasn't everyting happening as they said it would in health class?  I began to search on my own.  There wasn't any Google or Ask.com back then, so I sought answers in Judy Blume novels, encyclopedias and thick health text books, until I stumbled across a weathered copy of Ina May Gaskin's "Spiritual Midwifery" on my moms bookshelf.

I fell in love with that book and the beautiful stories that were woven into each page with respect and admiration.  That book showed me myself.  It opened my eyes to the beautiful vessels of life that we women are.  That summer, a month and a half shy of my 14th birthday, on a humid night adorned with a full moon, my cycle started.  I was elated, not apprehensive. Proud, not petrified.

My mother showed indiference when I told her my exciting news, but I could not be dismayed... I knew the power and the purpose behind this blood, and what it would mean for my future.

When I gave birth to my first child, my only daughter, I made a promise when I looked into her eyes; I will arm you with knowledge and information so that you may know yourself, know what to expect, and embrace and love who you are.

Her 10th birthday is next month and we have already had "the talk:, it is a part of our regular conversations.  I am a childbirth educator, doula and an aspiring midwife, and the facts of life are everyday occurences that I don't hide from my daughter, I share with her openly and honestly, so that she may know the wisdom that we women carry in our abilities to bring forth life!

[Dolphin4176]

I don't remember my mom ever sitting me down and telling me about my period. I just always knew because we always talked openly. She didn't hide it from us and answered questions when we asked (I have a younger sister). I do remember starting my first time on vacation with my DAD! We were at my grandparents and my grandmother was not the kind of woman you go to to ask for pads from!  I had brought a few with me for a "just in case" and I was glad I did. I still had to end up telling my dad because there weren't enough pads. He actually teared up! We now have a son and a daughter. My son is 18 and I never hid it from him. I figured he needed to know just as much as a girl did. Now he has no problem walking into a store and buying pads for a girlfriend or even me if needed. Our daughter is only 4 but she already knows that mommy bleeds every month. I don't hide it from her (how could I when she is my little shower...even in the bathroom. We also usually shower together other than when I'm on my period). I've tried telling her that one day she will bleed too but she doesn't quite grasp the concept! I will continue to be open about it and answer any questions she has.

[CrysHarding85]

My mother told me at a very young age of how I would develop. We had a very short discussion on periods. I was a little excited to mature. When I first started my cycle I was nervous, was home alone and Mom was at work. I called her and she walked me through what I needed to know. 

When it comes time for me to explain to my daughter her menstrual cycle I will do my best to explain everything she needs to know. I am so pumped to be able to share my knowledge with her. I will also tell her that I am always going to be there for her whenever she has questions about her period or any other womanly issues. I would like to be more like a friend than a mom. 
 

[phathui5]

I don't remember my mom ever talking to my about what would happen when my period started. What I do remember is a week in the fifth grade where the nurse came in and talked to us about puberty and hygiene. What stood out the most was the nurse saying that when you wear deodorant, you need to wash your armpits before you put more on the next time, you can't just layer it and expect it to work.

Later, in high school health class, the teacher gave out a chart about different methods of birth control and I was fascinated by the idea of natural family planning. I had no idea that there were days of the month where you would get pregnant and days where you wouldn't. That was when I started charting my cycle.

[QuirkyMama]

The first time I got my period, I was a month away from turning 12; it was my sixth grade Field Day, and I was sent to school in white cotton shorts.

I'd had enough education (in school and at home) to know what was happening; all of us sixth grade girls were given "emergency kits" in health class, which we stashed under our beds with a mix of wonder, anticipation, and faint horror. I don't remember being overjoyed; I do remember I did NOT want my father to find out, and of course my mother told him as soon as he came home from work.

The part that makes me laugh, in retrospect, was that "to celebrate," my mother took me to the diner, and all I felt like eating was potato salad.

[TracyGladRags]

My knowledge of periods, before mine started, was limited to the word "period" and one very vague, uncomfortable afternoon in the 4th grade where the girls were separated, watched a video, and then tore apart the sample tampons and pads we were given. So when mine began around the age of 11, I was still under the impression that it was called a period because it left a bloodstain the size of a large punctuation mark of the same name in your undies. Imagine my surprise, after affixing a pantyliner found in the bottom drawer in the bathroom (my sister had already started a few years earlier), that a light days liner was wholly insufficient for the job!

I spent about 10 years being weirdly embarrassed about my period. I had really long, heavy flow, never talked to anyone about it -- save the occasional whispered "do you have a pad?" to a dear friend at a school -- and was generally exceptionally uncomfortable for about one week out of the month. Total bummer. Eventually, I learned about reusables and -- like they do for many of us! -- they changed my life.

Over the years of reusables, my perspective toward my body has totally changed. As one of my Facebook friends commented recently, "yes, it can come with cramps and other symptoms, but my body is a freaking wonderland of femininity and beauty and magic." Hear, hear.

I don't have a daughter, but I have a young niece, and as she grows up I hope to be one of many nurturing female voices in her life that reinforces positive feelings about her body. I don't intend to hide anything from her about what being a "grown up" means, and obviously my career will be an easy conversation-starter as far as periods go! And she'll grow up with a mother who uses cloth pads, too. My goal with anyone, no matter their age, is to speak honestly and frankly and create safe spaces for questions and conversations!

[minkajane]

My mom didn't tell me anything about my period. She didn't even have pads in the house even though she had two puberty-aged daughters (she'd had a hysterectomy). I got my first period on the first day of 8th grade at a party. The only thing we had in the house was pantyliners and toilet paper, so that's what I used until she figured out I'd gotten it. One night, she got me out of bed, took me in the bathroom, shut the door, and asked me in a whisper if I'd gotten my period. I was mortified. She made everything seem like the most embarrassing thing that could ever happen to you. I once got grounded for asking her in front of my dad and brother if she could pick me up some pads at the store.

I want to do things totally different with my daughter. I'm going to have a multitude of products available for her well before she needs them, so she will be familiar with them. I'm also going to explain to her exactly what to expect and make sure she understands that it's nothing to be embarrassed of. It's something that happens to half the population once a month for most of their lives - why should we be embarrassed? I'm also going to have a menarche party for her, to celebrate her entrance into womanhood.

[JenniO11]

This contest is now closed! Thank you to everyone that entered - we loved hearing your stories!  Whether your own mothers did or didn't talk about your period, it seems like there's one thing in common: we'll all be open with our daughters when it comes time for them to cross over to womanhood! 

We'll be announcing the winner in a few days!

[JenniO11]

Congratulations NubiaEarth - you won!  Look for a PM from me in your inbox!

Thanks to everyone else who participated!  

[TracyGladRags]

Congrats, NubiaEarth! Your story is beautiful