What age did you talk to your DD's about periods?

[fivegomadindorset]

Just that really.

[Seona1973]

it has been spoken about a little to my dd (8) and ds (5) - I find it better to talk about things casually rather than sitting down and having a 'big' talk

[FlamingoBingo]

Very young - as soon as they were old enough to ask why I had blood on my knickers when I went to the loo!

[duchesse]

Same as flamingo, just answered their questions all the way though. Was talking about it just the other to DD3 (2.9). A few days later while I was on the loo she checked my pants and asked me kindly if I was still bleeding and did I need a mummy nappy? Luckily we were at home, not in a public loo...

Older daughters knew about periods etc long before they started them, but it's still a shock for them I think whatever age they start. I always think just answer their questions at an age-appropriate level and be led by the questions as to how much they want to know at that time. Children build up ideas over many months and years, so you don't need to tell them everything in one go, just tell them the bits they want to know.

[fivegomadindorset]

OK I also have the problem that DD is 6.5 and is absolutely adament that she is a boy, this has been ongoing since she turned 2 so wither a long phase or something else which we are just going softly softly on, but really panicking about how to approach this without freaking her out. She has seen me change pads and towels but has never made a comment on it, whilst DS has so he vaguely knows that this something that happens to women (he is onlu just 4). My mothe rmade a complete has of it and it was something that totally embarrassed me ever since which doesn;t help.

[fivegomadindorset]

sorry about typos

[duchesse]

Five, I'm not sure it really matters just yet does it? She's only 6.5 and as long as she's not going into early puberty already you've 4ish years for her to settle into the idea. No point going head to head with a determined 6yo in imo. She will come round to the idea of being a girl. Is she your only daughter? If so maybe some mother-daughter bonding might help- do something 1-1 with her that she will enjoy.

[UnnamedFemaleProtagonist]

Probably about 2.6. The same as earlier poster said (sorry can't see who on twatphone) as soon as they saw the blood and commented. Mine have seen me empty my mooncup and make my own washable pads which DS1 (5.6) is obsessed with.
No holds barred in this house. They know what periods are for and why you don't have them when pg etc.

[fivegomadindorset]

Thank you, she is and we do do a lot together as she has more intrests and a lot more concentration than her brother. Oh and she is very determined.

[exexpat]

I'd agree that if she doesn't want to be a girl at the moment, talking about periods will just freak her out and be more determined that she doesn't want to be female - I think most girls go 'yuck, I don't want periods/pubic hair' when it first occurs to them anyway. I'd wait until she is nearer the age when it is imminent to raise the issue, but of course answer any questions if they come up before that.

I've talked to DD about it all several times over the past few years, but she's 9, very tall for her age, and most likely will start periods at age 10, or 11 at the latest. You might want to get one of the books that explain puberty in an upbeat, child-friendly way, like What's Happening to Me?

[CurrySpice]

I didn't spaek to DD1 till she was about 9. I still haven't spoken to DD2 (now 9) about it. Never asked. Never came up in convo. Never pushed it.

I wouldn't worry at the moment OP - there's no rush if you feel she's not ready

[Annunziata]

When they asked- DD1 was much more curious than DD2. I did talk to them both before sex ed started at school just to make sure I'd covered all the bases. It's better coming from you than from the playground horror stories IMO.

[JugglingWithTangentialOranges]

My dd is 13 and hasn't started hers just yet. I think I need to talk to her about it all more than I have. But I think I was encouraged to keep it to myself growing up, and I'm finding it a bit difficult to break out of that and be a bit more open and natural about the whole thing. But have tried to and will continue to see what I can do on this for DD's sake. Any suggestions ? Perhaps a book could be a good idea as well ?

[wrigglerstea]

My 2.8 year old daughter knows about "special pads" after she asked me when I took her into the cubicle with me if I had done a poo in my "big girl pants". Poos are a huge thing around here and I didn't want her to think that Mummy does poos in her big girl pants so I told her that it wasn't a poo, it was my period. She also knows that when the bin in public toilets is "the special bin for a when a lady has her periollll" because she asked about that too. I haven't explained that it is a type of blood yet but will when she asks what "periollll" is exactly. I remember my Mum calling it her "bottom bleeding" and while I totally accepted it and wasn't afraid I do remember being a bit confused about it.

[duchesse]

Juggling I'd be amazed if she doesn't know everything there is to know already, as most of her friends will have started. You could leave a strategic book lying around, and back it up by telling her that you are there if she has any questions about periods. Assuming that you live in the UK, she'll have had loads of PHSE lessons about growing up and should know about most of it already. But she may want to mention it to you and be too embarrassed to broach it.

[JugglingWithTangentialOranges]

Thanks duchesse - I'm sure you're right, and I have mentioned it several times over the years - I'm just not sure if I have enough. Perhaps feeling that mentioning it a few more times before it happens may be an idea

Hopefully her PHSE lessons have been better than mine were, although mine were some help even in those days ! In fact she was talking to me about them (PSHE lessons) this evening - didn't say much, just that you just sit there and listen and try to avoid answering any questions by taking an intense, sudden interest in your pen if teacher looks your way ! So, all sounds very understandable

Would be good to feel we're making progress with each generation though. Want to help her with growing up all I can. I think I'll see about ordering a book or two on-line tomorrow.

[JugglingWithTangentialOranges]

Thanks for very useful link, exexpat

[steppemum]

dd's are 7 and 4, ds is 9 have had many conversations about it. Both also know all about where babies come from.
Think the questions come up more if you are the sort of house where kids walk in on you in the loo, and you leave tampons lying around.
My girls think it is a bit yucky, I keep it light and simple, answer questions etc.
My mum was very open with us, I remember a conversation in the car, I was about 10, big brothers about 12 and 13, it was about contraception, someone had asled a question. My mum drumming home the need to use it always without fail!

[maybeyoushoulddrive]

Reading this with interest.

Dd(8) has shown little to no interest in any bodily functions/lumps and bumps etc. I've always been open with her, getting changed infront of her, using the loo together but she is quite a private soul and doesn't seem to want to know or be inquisitive. I've said a few times I've got my period but no more. She's an only child, so no pregnant mummy to ambush with questions! I guess I may have to force the issue a little bit so its not a god awful shock...

Will be doing some amazon shoipping - thanks exexpat

[Bethanyevie]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to approach period conversation with my daughter. She’s 10 but has adhd/ on the spectrum. This is something she’s going to find very hard and freak about. Any ideas? Thanks

[Halouk]

My grand-daughter was 8 when I told her about periods, however my eldest son was only about 5-6 because he came downstairs with a pack of Always Ultra and asked what they were! I explained a bit, he may not have understood but it was better than dismissing it altogether. I'm glad I told my GD though, she's 9 now and is experiencing some hormonal/pre-puberty stuff! All children are different though, tell them when you feel they are ready ☺