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Original poster

to ask for your thoughts on a ‘period box’ for DD

230 replies

MoonBlood · 08/04/2020 09:37

So the time has come for my eldest DD (12) where she’s had her first show of blood overnight. We’ve talked previously about periods and that they will come one day and I mentioned getting her a bettybox when they do which she was enthusiastic about, but I’ve just searched for them online and they seem to be no more? (A bettybox was a box with a few ‘treats’ and a bit of Sanpro for tweens/young teens)

She seems happy enough to talk to me about it albeit a bit on the shy side. She’s had a cuddle and a little chat with me this morning and as I’m not able to get the box as I wanted to I thought about maybe making up a little box myself.

Thoughts were a few hot choc sachets, some paracetamol, a pack of pads, and also a a cloth bag for her to put her underwear into so she’s not embarrassed to put them in the wash and no one else will see them. Maybe some chocolate and a magazine or similar, she’s already got a hot water bottle.

Is it a good idea or is it a bit cringe? It’s one thing to get a parcel delivered with those things but it might be different coming from mum? I considered maybe leaving it in her room/on the bed so she’s not forced into a big talk or anything, it might be seen as a nice little treat or could be utterly mortifying for her! I think she’d like it but wanted to gauge some opinions first please?

OP posts:
LucyAutumn · 08/04/2020 11:53

I love this, particularly the cloth bag, wish my mum had thought if that! I'll be doing it for my daughter!

9ofpentangles · 08/04/2020 11:53

Mine made her own period box. It sounds as if you have that kind of relationship. Go for it

SarahTancredi · 08/04/2020 11:53

With regards to reusables.

Earthwise girls do a box with 2 or 3 different re usable pads to try along since a sample pack of plastic green disposables.

They do small bundles of mixed brands. To try and a range of sizes!!!

JayWayney · 08/04/2020 11:54

It's a lovely idea to make your daughter's menarche special. You know what is suitable for her in your family. I gave my daughter a red glass droplet shaped pendant as a gift to celebrate the occasion.

MarieQueenofScots · 08/04/2020 11:54

Please do cloth sanpro

Period pants and washable pads

If girls and women start using them from the off they will be normal

They should be offered as a choice and not the only option. A girl should make her own choices about what san pro she wants to use.

TheSmallClangerWhistlesAgain · 08/04/2020 11:57

Early days of periods are not the time for eco-warrior statements. Unless they were asked for, I would not insist on washable pads or period pants, which could be hard to handle at school.

FWIW, DD is now nearly 22 and prefers to use a cup, so starting with disposable stuff for ease does not necessarily lead to a lifetime with it.

StarlightLady · 08/04/2020 11:59

Sounds a goid idea to me. Mum told me when l first started that in spite of being a pain (literally) it was something to celebrate!

SarahTancredi · 08/04/2020 12:02

Its not really an eco warrior statement.

In fact this lock down and the panic buying made me extremely grateful and relieved I had them. If I hadnt queued up at 1 am to spend nd an hour in the boots queue online I'd have been a bit fucked.

They are probably no harder to deal with in school than regular ones . Especially when the bins are over flowing or there isn't one and you are stuck with what to do with the soiled ones. Reusables you are kinda geared up for. Not to mention the trashes and cuts caused by some disposables.

Having said that yes a choice is if course the best way to go. It should always be up to them

9ofpentangles · 08/04/2020 12:06

Teens are much more right on than us (well, mine is) so I don't think she would interpret my offering washable stuff as a big eco statement

Umnoway · 08/04/2020 12:09

Sounds thoughtful and nice but my Mum never made a big deal of periods which I think was good so when I had mine I wasn’t fazed by them at all.

ViciousJackdaw · 08/04/2020 12:10

Why does everything have to be boxed these days? Beauty boxes, Christmas Eve boxes, food boxes, those bloody VSCO boxes and now period boxes. There'll be a 'box box' before long.

Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 08/04/2020 12:12

Also bags for her to dispose of her used sanitary towels - my daughter's school had no sanitary towel disposal bags or bins. I gave her a bag of towels, disposal sachets, and painkillers when I thought she was likely to start her period and she kept it in her satchel just in case. In the event, she started during the summer holidays when we were abroad and I had to dash out to get her sanitary towels. I also bought her a present to make her feel better, along with the Panadol for the pain. Her first period lasted 13 days and I obviously had done something wrong with my explanation of the facts of life as she thought that was it for life, and was most disappointed to learn this blood letting and extreme pain would likely be happening once a month for the next 40 odd years unless she was pregnant or taking the pill without a break. Not all of us are lucky enough to be able to carry on as normal. Some of us actually faint from the pain whilst trying to lead a normal life.

SarahTancredi · 08/04/2020 12:15

I agree the boxes are probably a money making spin and a bit kind cringe in a way.

But it is handy to have a range of stuff to try out without having to but multiple packets that go to waste .

Although maybe emailing brands and asking for samples may be an option ?

PineappleDanish · 08/04/2020 12:15

My DD would have cringed herself inside out and back to front with this sort of thing.

Just make sure there are pads in the house and she knows where they are. And how to use them.

hibbledobble · 08/04/2020 12:20

Cheeky wipes do a similar set, which is reusable. Reusable pads are a lot comfier than disposable, and last a long time.

3rdTrimester · 08/04/2020 12:22

Great idea! Really thoughtful and practical x

Badassmama · 08/04/2020 12:27

I think this is a truly wonderful idea and she will likely remember this for the rest of her life and all her friends will think you are the sweetest mum going.

Mawbags · 08/04/2020 12:27

Sorry but it’s quite twee and over the top.

You want to raise a confident daughter. Give her the pants and the practical bits but making out like she’s ill will not be the answer. Ditching the comfort stuff. You’re setting her up to expect a bad time.

Necklace would be a nice idea to mark the milestone.

SayNotoArtificialLipids · 08/04/2020 12:28

When my DD was younger, I bought her a book all about periods. After reading it, she asked me if she could have a small storage box with a selection of san pro in preparation. She chose a storage box and I bought a few different brands of towels and tampons. I also bought a few reusable towels and period pants. It is then up to her what she is comfortable using.

CatteStreet · 08/04/2020 12:28

I think this, however well-intentioned, does send the message 'this is something unfortunate which has happened to you that you need making up to for'. Having pads available (great idea to get a mixed box of different types of reuseables) and means of disposing of/storing them, making her aware that if there is pain you'll give her something to help with it (tbh i wouldn't be wanting to give my child a pack of paracetamol without knowing whether/when she was taking it or dosing herself safely etc), is enough.

Namechange8471 · 08/04/2020 12:28

Personally I couldn’t think of anything worse op.
Maybe just get her a bar of chocolate?

Namechange8471 · 08/04/2020 12:29

Necklace would be a nice idea to mark the milestone.

For the love of god please don’t do this!

CatteStreet · 08/04/2020 12:31

Must add that I 'm not keen on the idea of giving necklaces/jewellery to 'celebrate' either. I'm not sure that a gift so linked with my daughter's future reproductive capacity is the right idea.

WeAllHaveWings · 08/04/2020 12:33

Sorry cringe. You are making this into something more than it is, making them into a big deal before they've even become one. I never had any problems with my periods when I started, no cramps no chocolate cravings - the box is telling her she will/should have them when not all do.

Have a constant supply/selection of sanpro in the bathroom available.

Don't give a 12 year old her own supply of paracetamol to take unsupervised.

Anything else she can help herself to from the kitchen if she wants it.

Lovemusic33 · 08/04/2020 12:45

I made dd a box with a selection of sanitary products, spare underwear, paracetamol etc.., the sanitary products were a bit of a waste of time because she will only use one type of pad (won’t use tampons or panty liners).

Both my DD’s started early (10 and 11), we celebrated by having pizza and chocolate.