To have told son I couldn’t go swimming as I have a period

[Bouliegirl]

This morning DS8 asked if we could go swimming. I told him no, as I have a period. But we could probably got at the weekend. He was happy enough and shuffled off

My MIL was horrified that I told him this and said that I shouldn’t be talking about periods with a male relative

Why on earth are people being so funny about OP telling her son she couldn’t go swimming as she’s on her period. Like it’s going to impact his entire life in some terrible way if he thinks all women can’t swim when on a period. This place really makes me laugh some days. The I just need something to argue about brigade.

What’s most shocking on this thread isn’t what you said or your MILs reaction; it’s women not realising how bad other women’s periods are.

I have never suffered. Very light flow, no cramping etc. My DSis - it’s a massacre. She’s now had an ablation after leaking through on a chair at a Board meeting and a male colleague had to tell her. This is less than an hour after a full change and double protection. Flooding is a regular occurrence.

Women need to educate themselves, not everyone is like you.

Can’t believe how many women a) think it’s odd to talk about periods to our sons. 50% of the world has them! Get used to it!
b) think that all
eomen can swim with their period. I can’t far too heavy.

ladies this is our opportunity to educate the future generations. My eldest has no embarrassment around periods. I’m really proud of him!

I can remember being at work and showing some visitors round the building and one of them tactfully pointing out that i was leaving droplets of blood in my wake. I was leaking through a tampon and a pad only an hour or so after changing both of them. The blood had gone through my underwear and tights.

With respect, why are you assuming everyone is the same as you? Can you imagine a situation where someone’s periods are so bad this doesn’t work for them? Why do so many women describe it, require medication and have surgical procedures if it’s not real?

Everyone is not the same.

Same! I was taken to Lewisham hospital with gas and air a few years ago 😵‍💫

Never been able to swim on my period as I never wore tampons. I hated the idea at 13 and stills can't stand the idea at 46...

I get that too, I don't like them and have not swum before because of that. I only asked because I didn't know they weren't totally functional at stopping heavy bleeding - mainly because I have a heavy period and they do work for me. I was just curious and didn't mean to get at anyone.

What a stupid comment
You do know that not everyone is the same, right?

I do think some people have real problems understanding that other people don't experience the world exactly like they do. It's almost like there's a piece of their brain missing!

I remember the flooding days. On the first day I'd have to have two super plus tampons plus a sanitary towel and it would still leak sometimes.

Apart from anything else it can make you feel a bit rotten, so I can understand not wanting to go swimming.

In the end I got a mirena coil which settled it down after an adjustment period but I understand that's not ideal for everyone.

I agree, I’ve bled in the bath on my period.

So she is horrified and? You did it there is nothing wrong with what you did so why are you worried?

I do think that saying ‘I told him no, as I have a period.’ Was a bit too vague because there is no rule saying all menstruating women can’t go swimming because unclean, stay away!

I would have worded and said something more accurate like ‘I told him no, as I’d rather not when on my period’ so he knows it’s a choice you are making based on how your period affects you rather than women just can’t go swimming when on their period.

A child isn’t going to care or think about other women’s periods or go around discussing them

And when he is old enough to be concerned, then he will likely have some critical thinking skills too

At the moment all he knows that there are sometimes his mum (the only women he will likely be interested in for the next few years) cannot go swimming. Absolutely nothing wrong in explaining why

An 8yo has critical thinking skills now. The problem is the OP was vague in a way that can be misunderstood.

You would have thought that women would be more understanding and knowledgeable that everybodies periods are different it's staggering. They are obviously fortunate to have trouble free periods.

In a long meeting I bled through everything and into the office chair I was sitting on. I had to shuffle papers waiting for everyone else to leave, then I wrapped my cardigan around my waist, put the papers on the big blood spot and took the office chair with me. I have my own office with wardrobe so I can do a superman changeroo. I put chair in the corner with plastic bag on it. I worked late so I could toss the blood soaked chair into the dumpster out back on my way home.

It seems that plenty of adult women on this thread do not have critical thinking skills

I agree, and for justmyopinion to expect an 8yo boy to just figure it out that it is different for every woman as he becomes an adult when so many women obviously have not makes no sense at all.

My DC never had any concept of boundaries or letting mummy have a wee in peace so consequently they have known all about my period since they were toddlers. It’s a total non issue and there is no embarrassment on either side.

They do, it’s just that ‘critical thinking skills’ are useless when fed misinformation or not enough information. Genius level intellect doesn’t fix the garbage in to garbage out information loop.

The future women in his life will thank you for this!

Why can’t you go swimming on your period though? Just wear a cup surely?

Really don't understand the unsupportive comments on this thread.

Not to mention all those saying 'just wear a tampon' or 'just use a mooncup'.

And all of those saying OP has led her 8yo son to believe women can't go swimming on their period?!

Good god 😂

OP, YANBU. At all.

Why can't you read the OP's posts though? Just takes a minute or two.