Celebration when a daughter started their periods?

[tatt]

most cultures would have some ceremony - just wondered if anyone had done anything different/special for their child?

[Iklboo]

Oh chroist - my nan phoned my dad at work when I started mine. Poor bugger cam home from work clutching a box of milk tray looking v embarrassed.
"er, here you go love..." type of thing
I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me

[LucyJones]

I think a special shopping trip with mum would be nice
some kind of party annoucing it to the whole extended family would not be nice!!

[southeastastra]

lol iklboo i would have been mortified if my dad did that

[Mamabea]

oh no way. My mum threatened to do this to me, so I simply never told her when I 'started.'
Oh the thought of a bunch of her friends/ or indeed anyone 'celebrating' my perioid coming of age was just too awful.

[nickytwotimes]

Oh God, I was mortified at the carry on my Mother made when mine started, so treads carefully.

Maybe you could take her out for lunch or shopping or something she enjoys just the 2 of you?

[misselizabethbennett]

[thequietone]

I have very fond memories of mine. My Gran happened to be downstairs, with my mum. Called mum in a panic, she checked me, helped me and brought me downstairs, where 3 generations then had a big hug, and congratulations on becoming a woman.

[Iklboo]

I know - I bloody hate Milk Tray

[PonderingThoughts]

Iklboo - I too would have wanted to floor to swallow me up.....but now, as an adult, how sweet of your dad, bless him!!!

[Iklboo]

I can sort of see why she did it though:
She started her period while at school when she was about 11 (1928) and things like that weren't talked about at home.
She called to the teacher "Miss, I've got a headache and my leg is bleeding"
Teacher took a quick look, gave her a sanitary towel with loops and told her "put that on and go home to your mum"

Nana...put the sanitary towel oh her head (loops pver her ears) and walked the half mile or so home

Her mum gave her a clout for showing the family up!

[tatt]

I was thinking maybe of a meal out, a new outfit or a box of chocolates - not a whole family entertainment. However I guess we could wash our faces in spring dew and dance arooud the garden or jump across a bonfire or something..........

[mumblechum]

that's classic, Iklboo!

I'm another one in the "nobody's business" camp. didn't tell my mum when I started, and I think it would be horribly cringy for most girls to have their private business broadcast.

[southeastastra]

lol

[zippitippitoes]

i am a cringe at the idea too

[MadreInglese]

How on earth is it anything to celebrate??

[WendyWeber]

I let my DDs get their ears pierced - which they had been dying to do - it wasn't a public celebration but it made starting feel like less of a burden

[katiechops]

I would have been mortified if anyone had made a fuss about me starting my period. Then again, I was quite a late starter (nearly 15) so never bothered telling my mum and just sorted myself out with the tapax that school had been giving out at the special girls only assemblies for years before I actually ever needed them.

[flack]

Dreadful idea. What's there to celebrate? Welcome to the world of menstal cramps and worrying about leaking thru if you wear white trousers? Er, no, just a friendly chat about practical aspects will suffice.

[tatt]

something to celebrate because it symbolises you are able to bear children and that's a very special gift. Anyway I don't want it to be seen as something that is shameful/ needs to be hidden away but as a very special day.

Doing a quick google for pagan ceremonies turned up the suggestion of a lodge to learn female things ( mum and daughter spa trip maybe ) or a gift of jewellery (I like that one). So I'm going to ask if they would like a piece of jewellery or a box of after eight.

Now what on earth is OH going to do for son and when - a camping trip to the woods maybe? Much more difficult to pick a time for a boy.

[msdemeanor]

Do 'most cultures' celebrate? I really doubt it.
I think first periods tend to happen right at the height of intense self-consciousness so making a huge song and dance would probably be mortifying. And I felt far to grim (tired, spotty, bleeding, in lots of pain) to want to go on a big shopping spree or anything but lie down with a paracetamol and hot water bottle. I think tea and sympathy and a hot water bottle would be more appropriate than a ceremony, personally.

[DrNortherner]

When my mum started she had no idea what it was and asked my Gran for a plaster! My Gran quickly gave her a sanitary towel and said 'put this on and keep away from boys'

[msdemeanor]

Here's a nice ceremony you could try!!
Africa

In the Tiv tribe in Nigeria, four lines were cut in the girl's abdomen, the practice of which was thought to make her a woman and more fertile.

[MadreInglese]

LOL flack

[crokky]

I found it slightly embarassing to tell my mum, but she was pleased and excited. I told her away from my dad and my brothers and nothing further was said.

I would have been mortified at any celebration or telling anyone about it. Something you just tell your mum and best friend IMO, although admittedly I have no sisters so I don't know about if you'd tell them or whatever.

[themildmanneredstalker]

don't buy jewellery-who was it that was saying about the pig of periodness?