What do I need for my tween girls as they approach puberty?

[mumoftweentwins]

I have 11y/o twin girls
I got my first period at 12 and consious this is all coming at me fast!

One Dd is taller broader of hip and small breast buds appearing
Her moods are erratic
She has underarm hair which I have just noticed as I don't bath them any more

Thinking poss better to shave this so as not to be teased but not sure which razor is best and how to show her ?

DTD2 is of a skinnier build, has occasional BO but no other outward signs

Want to get them ready for when periods start. What do I need to buy?
Lots of crap online "my first period" with hair scrunchies etc

I went to boarding school- and mum still refers to it as "the curse"
So no "good role model"
To base this off

TIA for your kindness and help

Pads and period knickers, my DD only likes certain pads so it took a few attempts (she's fussy though)
I don't understand the concept of a period hamper or making a fuss, it's just a natural bodily function. Maybe wheat pack for cramps but other than that...let them see what works for them when the time comes

period knickers and pads
primark and ModiBodi are two good brands
explain how to use pads
dont need a hamper - not everything needs to be commodified

some good books include Milli Hill’s book on periods

God do not buy my first period hair scrunchies! Just get some pads, panty liners, nappy bags to put pads in, cheap disposable razors and deodorant. You could put in the bathroom and just let them know they are there. Keep an eye on the stock and replenish without them having to ask. Not sure if there's any need to show them how to shave. My mother didn't and to be honest wouldn't have wanted her to. I remember her me asking if i knew what periods were and I said no cos i thought she'd be cross if i said yes. I had to endure this mortifying lecture then about periods. I've never had that close relationship with my mother but hope things are different for you.

I recommend the book My Period by Milli Hill, it's very tween friendly and very positive about how amazing the female body is. I would also get waterproof mattress protectors in case of any night time leakage.

Just buy an assortment of pads amd period underwear and let them choose their preferred option. I taught DD to always carry a pad with her (2 in her school toiletry bag) in case of emergencies.
Don't buy tacky scrunchies etc.
Talk to her about what to expect and make sure she feels comfortable coming to tell you when she starts. One of DDs friends didn't feel comfortable telling her mum but did feel happy telling me and I then told her mum. No idea why as her mum is lovely but I would be quite upset if DD hadn't felt happy telling me.
Emphasise it is completely natural and normal but also worth stressing the fact she will now be able to get pregnant so maybe include a convo about safe sex + relationships.
Talk about personal hygiene and how to apply a pad/tampon plus how to dispose of them correctly also how to deal with period pants.
I keep a stash in the bathroom which is always fully stocked but she also has them in her bedside table too.

I've always talked quite openly about periods, but not excessively like my mum did. I tend to just drip feed. But she also got the talk in yr6. Always a box of pads etc in the bathroom.
Dd text me in work to tell me she'd started. She's had her 2nd one now and just gets on with it.

She started shaving her legs before her arms, I knew cos my razor was wet. I suggested she might want to think about her underarms first, but that she didn't need to. Then I got her very own razor. She's going to nick mine anyway, but at least she's got her own now.

Period swimming costumes in addition to all of the above. It was a pretty emotional change for my DD so I bought her a bunch of flowers and some chocolate when it eventually came. And keep talking about it. Make your cycle as normal as possible and get your partner to talk about it too as part of every day. Don't hide it. Makes it much easier when it comes.

Explain to them how to shave with gel etc to avoid razor burn or cuts and to bin razor after use

I bought some period knickers and then kept a pack or two of pads in the downstairs bathroom - also suggested she put 2 pads in her school bag "in case she started at school or one of her friends needed one"

Razors - dd just started using mine. I used to buy whatever was on offer but one day she mentioned she really like the Intuition ones I'd brought, so i just stock up on blades when they're on sale.

Mattress protectors and extra sheets. If there is a leak just ask them to tell you so the sheet can be changed. Nothing to be worried about, it's bedding and it washes. Extra knickers maybe? Annoyingly I'll bet they favour different pads so 2 sorts will have to be bought. And as others have said, extra pads in the school bag.

Li-lets do a nice teen first period pack, boots sell it, I got one for dd to have in her school bag, so she was prepared. Seem to remember a few friends found it useful before she did, now she has regular periods and we buy whatever we’re told to, no big dramas, keep her in chocolate when she needs it!

The most important thing you can give them is confidence, self belief and self respect.

Coloured or patterned underwear, PJs, bedding and towels in case of potential stains? Also explain that they should rinse blood in cold water first.

Mmy DDs BO was pretty strong, despite daily showers and shaving underarms - Mitchum was the only anti-perspirant that worked that you can buy in Boots/supermarket.

My other advice is not to let them be mean or bitchy to each other or you - they may be entering puberty, but they need to learn to control their emotions, so don't ignore bad behaviour by thinking it's hormones and inevitable.

I have twin girls and there was 2 years difference in them starting with the skinny one starting first (one between yr 6 and yr 7, one end of yr8).

I had a 'growing up girls' on the bookshelf and they did read bits. When one of their friends started in yr 6 we had a chat re how pads are used etc and I made them both a small kit to go in school bags either spare knickers, small pack of wipes and some pads (I had a couple of accidents in school so wanted them to be able to manage).

Then pads in easy reach. We left the tampons and period pants until they started. Dd2 did t tell me for 3 days as she took it all in her stride.

Pads in a visible basket / similar in the bathroom and bins in bathrooms. For them plus their friends who may need them.

You just talk to them in a matter of fact way, make sure they know how to deal with it and be loving an sensitive.

Have pads in the bathroom, make sure they know they are there. Put a cpl of pads and spare knickers in their school bags in a little make-up pouch with some wipes so they are not caught unawares.

Re the shaving, again just talk to them, show them how, and let it be their choice which you will respect.

Some advice on how to shave so they don't butcher themselves if they want to give it a go sounds like good advice.

Binning a razor after use though - no wonder this planet is fucked!

Nothing personal OP, but just a warning to everyone to be careful what they post about themselves or their children on threads like these as they do seem to attract a certain type of poster, sadly.

my daughter is just about to turn 11. We’ve got pads in the house, she’s cool with it all.

I hid my period for months when I started as my mother was so Catholic it hurt. My first 6 or so were dealt with by using toilet paper. I wasn’t even supposed to know what a period was, but of course I did, so when I bit the bullet and told her, I had to do an Oscar worthy performance of crying and asking if I was going to die.

She made me pray, went to go and lay down for a bit, then took me to the church. I also wasn’t allowed out of the house after that, or on any subsequent periods, only to school and church as, and I quote, men would smell me and want to mate with me. She still didn’t explain what it was, so thank fuck for the playground, eh?

Thankfully I’m not as mental as she was and I am open with my daughter.

If they decide to use tampons, make sure they know about toxic shock syndrome, what its symptoms are, and to change tampons regularly to prevent it occurring.

I think most girls start with pads, so just buy a bunch in different absorbancies.
I remember my mum very sweetly buying my pads which sat in my drawer for about a year and a half, by the time I went to use them the glue didn't stick! This we pre 'wings' days.
I remember books about girls having to wear these bizarre 'systems' when they were having their period. Before pads etc were invented?

I am one step ahead of you here. My twin girls are 12 and similar sound in build to yours. One started her period at 11 and a half. She started off with period pants but they quickly become another chore to add to my already long list. They need to be rinsed in the shower, then are a pain to store as you don’t want to be running the washing machine for 2 or 3 pairs. A real pain in the arse. Sometimes they don’t rinse the blood out enough which mean they smell before going in the machine. She’s now on sanitary towels and it’s so much easier for us both.
Other twin is shorter and lighter and hasn’t started yet but I suspect it’s going to be very soon. I’ve learned my lesson and will start her straight away on pads.

i used cloth nappies for them so I am not at all squeamish about these things but period pants were a firm no go here.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margret.

Both the books and the movie.

And get Deenie, and Just As Long As We’re Together while you’re there.

There’s a brand called Flo which do bamboo sanitary products which are really nice.

Hot water bottles. Ibuprofen. Sensible pants in black or burgundy.

Pads in all colours and sizes, period pants, Ladshave, pimple patches, good facewash, liquid paracetamol, chocolate