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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>joesmom</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">when i was 13 i wore a tampon to the beach~ only i left the applicator in too! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="innocent"> i read the directions & THOUGHT i had done it right... i forget how long it was before i realized.<br><br>
i too think she would be fine starting out with tampons, as long as you explain in great detail how they are used & the dangers of leaving them in too long.</div>
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ITA with this. I learned how to use pads & tampons by watching a video put out by Tampax (mom bought it for me, had me watch it, then said, "Any questions? Okay!") When I was around 15-16 I went to a pool with two of my cousins, who were 13 & 15. The 15yo and I told the 13yo how to do it, she went to the bathroom, and came back out saying, "Ow...ow...ow." We finally figured out she had left part of the applicator in. While we were all talking, we found out that the 15yo had learned it from her sister (when she wanted to swim), who told her, "You just shove it up there!"<br><br>
Take the opportunity to <i>teach</i> her about the different options and safety issues and show her how to do it properly. If you don't, she'll learn it from someone else, and who knows how great that instruction will be!