to want to buy my neice a 'welcome to womanhood' present...

[dandycandyjellybean]

...as she started her periods yesterday? Any suggestions, if nbu?

I should note that, while I think the present itself is a good idea, you absolutely should not refer to it as a 'welcome to womanhood' present. Ever. Even in your own head.

Classic thread. Is funny how we're all so uptight about it! Very British.

Since she told you herself, reckon chocolate would be OK. Cogito, chocolate does not cause spots.

Has brought back memories of going to see a film in the afternoon with my little brother and uncle when a massive ad for tampons came on, showing the actual tampons. My little brother didn't know what they were and kept asking, my uncle and I were mortified. The memory makes me shudder even now.

If the day ever comes when I get to celebrate my period with chocolate and a hot water bottle, I will think the universe has exploded. Having a period surely means walking the dog, mucking out the animals, getting the children to school, digging up potatoes, then collecting the children again in order to cook for them. And I get horrendous pain too.

I quite like the idea. Not a card with "Now you're a woman you can..." and a list of maddening but cute feminine traits tho, obv - something which acknowledges that she's told you something important. Not hot water bottle - that's a bit welcome to The Curse-ish. Just something nice that you think she'd like, like a b-day present.

And not Caitlin Moran yet - "wanking till my fingers were wrinkled" etc.

If someone had given me chocolate or a hot water bottle when i started my periods, I would have been very confused. I have never felt the need for either during my period, and quite frankly it smacks of the whole "oh poor women they are utterly useless for a week every month aren't they".

The fact she's told you doesn't mean she thinks it's a big thing, and I can't see the need for presents or celebrations. You wouldn't buy a present for her on the day she needs a bra for the first time, would you?

That cake is revolting! You are one sick woman chaos!

Jayso tho, that link. If there's a more repulsive way to describe an adolescent girl than as a 'bud' I'll eat my mooncup.
In the 70s ppl seemed to talk about 'budding breasts' a LOT. It was the epoch of the perv really

I bought DD a silver necklace when she started. It made her smile and she still wears it lots. Not sure I would for a neice but if she told you herself and you are very close, why not?

How about a lampshade with tampons around the hem or a deerstalker hat with sanitary towels instead of the more traditional tweed ear flaps. I daresay these would be easy to knock up if you are at all craft minded.

I'm not uptight about it, I just fail to see what there is to celebrate in something that is
painful
messy
turns you into a sobbing wreck
turns you into the bitch queen from hell
opens you up to humiliations like meeting your new husband's friends for the first time, spending the evening with them, going to the loo and realising you have started your period and your cream trousers now have a big red stain in the crotch.
If someone gave me a welcome to womanhood gift, I'd make them eat it.

It's like that 'Have A Happy Period' shit.

Fuck off with your have a happy period

I wouldn't. I think it is a bit odd to be honest although in a culture where periods equate to womanhood it would make sense.
But period does not equally womanhood in most westernised cultures as far as I am aware so it just sounds a bit earnest and lentil weavy.

I am also a bit about gifts which suggest 'it is your period. Lie down, eat crap, expect to feel awful and be incapacitated.' if that happens we will deal with it. But that is not the image of the process I want to create.

Fucking hell
"Create a life time of memories for your daughter by hosting a menarche party for her. A menarche party can make this time easier and more meaningful for both the young lady beginning menstruation and her parents."

That means dad's there too.

get her a puppy

If she told you herself then it's a nice thing to do for her. A mooncup and some Green & Blacks, sounds like a good idea.

I'm actually crying at 'puberty marshmallow game'. What the actual fuckery?

well it's positive in that it means your reproductive system is gearing up nicely which could come in handy should you ever want a baby.
But unfortunately the flip side of that - can you imagine if menarche parties were common and your periods hadn't started when everyone else's had?

Yes I wouldn't link it to 'womanhood' either. The two things are not really related any more - maybe it was the case once, but girls often start their periods very early these days, and are not considered adult women until much later - and it seems a bit odd to make that connection.

The marshmallow puberty game sounds amazing!

Surely part of female equality is not making such a big deal of it ?

Testimonials
"The marshmallow mouth game was hilarious and menstrual trivia had some amazing facts. I never thought learning about menstruation could be so much fun. This was truly a party we will never forget."

Hecate, I am dying again with you.

I'd find it embarrassing, if aunties had bought me a present.

The puppy made me spit my coffee everywhere, thanks Hec !

Tell her if she goes on the pill asap, doctors now advise always running the packs together. So she doesnt have to have another one til she decided to TTC. Therefore no need for mooncups, painkillers, or a hot water bottle though always a need for chocolate

God alive no! please don't.

The party website! why lord why? can you imagine your DD going to one of those?