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AIBU?

to ask when you told your daughter about periods?

76 replies

alificent · 23/06/2016 23:18

My daughter is 9 and so naive about everything. I love her innocence but wonder if I'm doing her a disservice by not having discussed periods yet. When did you discuss them with yours?

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RainIsAGoodThing · 23/06/2016 23:21

She'll still be innocent if you tell her how her body works. I assume she knows how the heart pumps blood around the body, the brain tells her muscles what to do and her bones hold her body up so she can move? It's exactly the same.

Tell her. Plenty of nine year olds are already menstruating!

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Junosmum · 23/06/2016 23:22

I was 9. It followed a few days after I had asked what sanitary towels were for when I saw an advert on TV. I learnt about sex a few months after.

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Hiddenaspie1973 · 23/06/2016 23:23

My daughters also 9. She's known about my periods for years, but as I noticed she's developing herself, I told her all about periods late last year. I explained and said I will give her a little bag of protection and pants in case it starts at school. I expect them to start by the time this year is out.
Would prefer it if she had more time to be a kid, but our family isn't made that way. 🙁

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BlackeyedSusan · 23/06/2016 23:23

I remember discussing periods with my son when he was about three when he noticed the red poo. Blush

presumably about the same age for dd. always been open with them how their bodies will change and how girls bodies and boys bodies are different.

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AutumnMadness · 23/06/2016 23:25

Why on earth is "innocence" in any way connected to not knowing about periods? What's non-innocent about periods?

My child is small, but I don't hide my period stuff. It's in a cupboard, visible to all interested parties. We also discuss it quite openly with my husband. Why should I be hiding a totally natural function? It's like pretending I don't poo. Confused

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Mirandawest · 23/06/2016 23:26

Think DD was about 4. Have been talking about growing up and what happens to bodies with her and DS for years (they are 12 and 10 now)

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Brokenbiscuit · 23/06/2016 23:26

Please tell her. Some girls start their periods at 9. She will be just as innocent when she knows.

My dd has always known about periods, ever since she was a toddler. That was a personal choice, because I didn't want her to experience the shock that I felt when I first found out.

It's just a natural bodily function. No need to worry about telling her. It's better for her to hear it from you than from her friends in the playground.

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GinAndSonic · 23/06/2016 23:26

My daughter is 4 and knows women bleed frok their vagina every few weeks. I don't generally get to go to the toilet alone and I use towels so an explanation was required. She seems unconcerned with this knowledge and as she grows older I'll prepare her for the idea of it happening to her. My ds is 6 and also knows the same information, hopefully he will grow into a man who isn't disgusted by women's bodily functions (I have met some men who really are)

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crapfatbanana · 23/06/2016 23:27

I told my daughter when she was about five I think. When she saw the blood on the pad and asked why it was there.

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Haggisfish · 23/06/2016 23:29

Yep, four here too.

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KimmySchmidtsSmile · 23/06/2016 23:29

DD is 4 and knows most of the facts. Have to start early in Germany, age of consent is 14 here.

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mamalovesmojitos · 23/06/2016 23:29

When she was 4 or 5.

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GiddyOnZackHunt · 23/06/2016 23:30

I went through it properly with DD when she turned 9. I had a friend who started her periods early, knew nothing and thought she was dying.
Hence I told DD and said it was something she needed to know about as it will happen at some point and it's absolutely normal.

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sirfredfredgeorge · 23/06/2016 23:30

DD watched the Operation Ouch puberty special at age 4.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0759l4k/operation-ouch-series-4-10-dont-panic-about-puberty-special

Asked lots of questions about it (including if boys had anything similar which actually introduced the subject of sperm coming out in wet dreams...)

I can't imagine how you'd let a nine year old not know! Even a nine year old boy, let alone a girl who could have it happen.

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NerrSnerr · 23/06/2016 23:31

Some girls start their periods at 9, even if your daughter doesn't her friends might be. You need to talk to her.

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Homemama · 23/06/2016 23:31

She was about 5. She asked questions and I answered. She's now 10 and we've talked about it lots. She is still innocent, still a child, just one who is informed about her body and won't be terrified when it happens. Lots of girls start their periods at 9. Both her brother's know all about periods too. She asked all about where babies come from around the same age (I was pg). Again, I answered her questions truthfully and explained it in child friendly language. I honestly believe that children absorb such information at their own level and not discussing such things with them is doing them a great disservice. Please take a few moments to talk this through with your daughter.

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 23/06/2016 23:31

When she was about 2 but I think she has forgotten - I just answer questions as they arise

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Orda1 · 23/06/2016 23:31

We had a school thing about 10 or 11, mums were there too.

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LemonySmithit · 23/06/2016 23:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scarednoob · 23/06/2016 23:32

Think I was about 5 as my mum explained about a bulb and a seed.

A couple of days later, my younger brother who was about 3 and who must have been earwigging, asked her very loudly if "that bulb had fallen out of [her] front bottom yet".

Blush

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alificent · 23/06/2016 23:32

She will be concerned by it, I think. She freaks out if she has a teeny cut and hates blood or pain so I don't want to worry her but also don't want her to be unprepared. I was 13 and had never had the chat from my mum.

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scarednoob · 23/06/2016 23:32

That was supposed to say, asked her very loudly at the cash till in sainsburys!

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BertrandRussell · 23/06/2016 23:32

Innocence is not the same as ignorance.

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ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 23/06/2016 23:33

I can't remember really. I've never had a big chat, and they've known bit by bit since probably about 3 or 4.

I started my period at 9 and didn't know what was happening. It was terrifying. I promised myself that would never happen to my dc.

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Brokenbiscuit · 23/06/2016 23:34

Innocence is not the same as ignorance

Well said!

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