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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be shocked at the school

279 replies

wonderingwendy · 17/10/2012 18:40

handing out my 11 year old dd tampons ?
i was really angry .
she knows all about periods and we have a very open relationship ,she has sanitary towels and that is the best option for me and her i believe
im just shocked as to how my little girl would even manage to get a tampon inside her .
the teacher gave it to them and they weren't even in a sex education class.

OP posts:
BeingBooyhoo · 17/10/2012 18:58

not sure why this is shocking. 11 year old girls can have periods and some use tampons. so?

PatriciaHolm · 17/10/2012 18:58

"i know its her vagina jesus !! all im saying is she told me she thinks they are not for her and i think its a decision parents should deal with not a teacher. "

Then she should put it to one side and not use it, if she (not you) doesn't want to. Simple. No-one is forcing her to use it, school has not made any decisions for you or her - unless you were planning on not telling her tampons existed, in which case YABVU!!

Molehillmountain · 17/10/2012 18:58

5madthings, we used to do that in my year 6 lessons on periods. Normalised it all and they were very impressed at how much water they held. Had to make clear that they usually didn't have to.

ShirleyRots · 17/10/2012 18:58

I don't get it. Why is it an issue?

ChickenFillet · 17/10/2012 18:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 17/10/2012 18:59

My mum decided what sanitary protection I was going to use until I was old enough to get a Saturday job and could afford to make my own choices. It was horrible.

theinets · 17/10/2012 18:59

This reply has been deleted

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MrsKeithRichards · 17/10/2012 18:59

Buy her a mooncup

CookingFunt · 17/10/2012 18:59

Oh get over yourself.

Sausagedog27 · 17/10/2012 19:00

To be honest, from what you have said, it does sound as if you have decided that aren't for her....

maillotjaune · 17/10/2012 19:00

But some parents don't. Some don't deal with it well, or miss out particular options, or pass on their prejudices....

So schools, sensibly IMHO, level the playing field.

YABU

MrsKeithRichards · 17/10/2012 19:00

Theinets that's a fucking vile way to talk.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 17/10/2012 19:00

I don't have girls so maybe i don't quite understand. I actually feel sorry for those who start this early, and earlier. I was 13 and i know tampons made it more bearable. I also think it's important for gorls to get to know their bodies.

BeingBooyhoo · 17/10/2012 19:00

if this has upset you so much i think you are going to have a really hard time coping with later aspects of your daughter's teenage years. she is growing up whether you want to accept it or not and parts of that will include decisions not being made by you.

PuffPants · 17/10/2012 19:00

I actually waited a year before moving from pads to tampons - I think it can feel daunting putting something up there when you're new to it but I was thrilled with myself once I'd done it.

They're just showing them the options OP.

Relax.

Original poster
wonderingwendy · 17/10/2012 19:01

she did put them in a glass of water , shrieked something about what the hell is that!!! and threw them in the bin.

OP posts:
whathasthecatdonenow · 17/10/2012 19:01

At our school boys do get to handle the tampons, pop them in water etc, but we don't let them take them out of the classroom.

Honestly OP, I've dealt with some bizarre parental responses to things in my time, but complaining that your daughter was given a free sample of various kinds of sanitary protection is up there with the best of them.

Molehillmountain · 17/10/2012 19:01

My friend's brother was most impressed when he found the packet of self adhesive action man mattresses in the bathroom Wink

TheFallenMadonna · 17/10/2012 19:02

Your little girl would have no problems fitting a tampon inside her after a bit if practice.

And I don't think she can really make a decision about the best method for her until she starts her period. A pad and a tampon feel quite different.

Blu · 17/10/2012 19:02

So they were given out as part of their education and awareness raising? To show them what they look like and how they work? Alongside towels / pads?

Actually I would be annoyed if it was a marketing / advertising thing by one particular brand, but if it was about protection per se, it's fine. She can make her own informed choice.

if you let her, that is.

OrangeLily · 17/10/2012 19:02

What is wrong with this exactly? When would you give her permission to use tampons? At what age is this acceptable and what is your problem with them?

You are being VVVVV unreasonable. The teacher is in the right here and it is the absolute norm.

If you are having a chat with her you can also mention mooncups, or similar, I so wish I'd had the option at that age!

TantrumsAndBalloons · 17/10/2012 19:02

She can't possibly make a decision until she has all the information.

She might have learnt about tampons, got a free sample and thought "no, not for me at the moment"

Fine. But it's her choice. Her sanitary product choice is nothing to do with you. The only part you play is making sure she understands all the options and then buying it for her every month.

That is it.

GhostofMammaTJ · 17/10/2012 19:03

She agrees with her mum !

WelshMaenad · 17/10/2012 19:03

Sounds like your slightly hysterical attitude has rubbed off on her beautifully!

whois · 17/10/2012 19:03

wonderingwendy

Cough backward cough dark ages cough utter loom seeing inappropriate sexualisation where there isn't any.

I feel very sad for your DD