I have been mentioning in various posts, how I want to raise my children with the lines of communication open, or at least more open then they were with my parents. It made me wonder how open your mothers were with you regarding your menstrual cycle. What did they tell you? Did they tell you enough for your age? Did you have to go other sources for better information? And, if you have daughters, what did you say to them? Do you think you prepared them enough for the joys of womanhood?
My mother told me a story about when she got her first period. She thought she was dying. She was 10. Her mother had told her nothing. Now granted, this was very early to get it and her mother was probably not expecting her to get it so young. Maybe my grandmother was not given enough time to prepare my mom.
I was not as young (I think I was 7th or 8th grade) when I got it, and I knew a little bit about it. I did not think I was dying, but I was not prepared to deal with the emotions and cramps that came along with it.
Now I have a daughter of my own. She is 11, almost 12. She has been getting it for a year now. Luckily, I was warned by the doctor that it was coming, and coming early. At age 9, the doctor told me that within the next 2 years it would start. She even told me what happens first, like breast buds, then hair, etc. She gave me signs to look for that her menstrual cycle was near. Starting at that point, I decided to prepare my daughter as best as I could, so she would not think she was dying when it began. I tried to get her to read a book put out by American Girl Doll, but she was not interested. I had to do this on my own. I talked to her about changes that her body was going to experience, which changes may come first, and how some of those changes will be emotional and not physical. I showed her where she may feel pain. I made sure she knew that I am always here for her, for anything. and I hugged her, a lot. These talks were not done all at once, I didn't want to overwhelm her and I wanted to make sure she didn't drift off when we talked. I think I succeeded. She didn't freak out when she got it, she didn't think she was dying. In fact, I think she handled it better than I could have ever imagined her handling it. She is not on a regular schedule yet, but I am helping her keeping track of it, reminding her to make sure she has supplies in her backpack, and still giving her lots of hugs.
Thank you for letting me share my experiences with you.
I hope that no girl ever experiences it the way my mother did.