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| Help Your Daughter Prepare for Puberty |
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- You've watched her grow up right before your eyes. And for all the milestones in her life, you've been at your daughter's side to calm her fears and show your support. Now, as she's growing up, you can help her simply by talking openly and understandingly about one of the biggest changes in her life — her period.
There are as many "right" ways and times to have this talk as there are mothers and daughters, so trust your instincts. If you think she's ready, here are some tools we found that may help you out.
Because of improved hygiene and diet, the average girl starts her menstrual cycle when she's about 12 1/2 years old, versus age 16 1/2 more than a century ago, according to the experts at Always®. Your daughter's period should start anytime from the time she's 9 to 16 years old, and it's a good idea to gear up for discussing menstruation with her as soon as you sense she's ready. Even if she is a late starter, her peers may not be, and she may hear information (or misinformation) from her friends.
Getting Started
To get started, refresh your memory about what it was like to be your daughter's age. On Web sites such as Tampax® and Always, you'll find factual information, teen and preteen FAQ, and articles on the physical and emotional changes that take place during puberty. All of these can help get you closer in touch with your daughter's frame of mind, and prepare you for questions she may have.
If your daughter wants to do some exploring on her own, there are safe, credible and private online sources, such as Beinggirl, where she can get more information.
Opening Discussion
Choose a time to bring up the subject when the two of you are alone and not likely to be interrupted. Discussing such an intimate subject as your daughter's body and its changes can be awkward for both of you, but one good way to break the ice is to tell her you feel self-conscious, too — that admission alone can help both of you feel more comfortable.
If your daughter seems receptive, explaining specifically what her body is doing and why can take some of the mystery and fear out of the change. Always provides a clear and easy description to get you started. Let her know also that because she is unique and one of a kind, her body may work differently from her friends', so she shouldn't worry if her experience in getting her period is different from theirs.
Let Her Know What Products Are There for Her
Explain to your daughter what feminine protection products are available, and how they work. To get you started, here's a partial list of products that work well for adolescent girls:
Because age and body size can affect your daughter's cycle, you may want to visit the Always Product Selector to find out which product will be right for her. You also can familiarize your daughter with hygiene products by requesting free samples, such as the latest product from Always — Always Clean.
And to reassure her further, check out the Tampax Period Calendar to help her predict when her periods will start each month. Also, give her personal confidence — show her how to discreetly stow what she'll need if her period starts while she's at school, or out being her usual, active self.
Wrapping Up
Lastly, remember to listen with your ears and your heart. No one is more likely than you to be sensitive to your daughter's spoken concerns and unspoken cues. Handling this discussion sensitively can open the door for greater intimacy on a range of topics, and help you to be there for her as she goes through other important life changes.
Looking for more answers? Visit Iris Prager, Ph.D., the North American Education Manager for Always and Tampax, with your questions on menstruation, women's health and related topics.
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