Unopened sanitary towel

[Numberblocks10]

Currently got my period. When I got home from work yesterday I dropped my bag by mistake and everything fell out. I put everything back (or so I thought) but then around half an hour later 9yo DS found one of my sanitary towels on the floor, picked it up and asked what it was. Just to clarify, it was unused (obviously) and still in the packet. I must have missed it when I was picking up things from my bag.

DH then shouted at DS to put it down (literally shouted at him) and then shouted at me asking why it was there. I explained to him what happened and he said it’s weird to be leaving things like that lying around.

I asked him to explain why it was “weird” but he couldn’t answer me.

AIBU to feel hurt by this? I don’t understand his reaction.

It's one of those thing some people are conditioned to believe, having period or breast feeding are disgusting therefore women should hide these away 🙄

That's exactly what I did. Also say their sister had menstrual cramps, I'd say things like 'she's just having a lie down because her period is giving her cramps'.

Their Dad is super weird about this stuff, to the extent he called me to say our DD had a ran out of pads. I live an hour away from him and he expected me to do something! I was like, go to the bloody local shop! Think he sent our son in the end.

I wanted them to know it's completely normal and not something shameful when (if) they have girlfriends/daughters,

Your husband is being very odd about this and you really don't want his old fashioned weirdness (IE that periods are something to be hidden) to rub off on your son.

Normalise periods. Seeing a sanitary towel is a perfectly normal, every day occurrence. Just like having a period.

Your DH needs to get the fuck over it.

At 9 he should know about periods. Even just the basics. Your dh is massively overreacting.

My DH had really bad piles and used DD’s pads! Thank goodness there were some in the house as I’m passed that stage now.

I actually think your DH’s reaction is potentially quite damaging. The way he reacted may make your DS think that there is something taboo or dirty about periods and sanitary products. That could lead to all sorts of issues in the future - not just for your DS but also any female friend or partner.

What the F is his problem? This is not a normal reaction OP. Is he like this about other stuff?

He is teaching your son that “women stuff” is dirty and shameful and I wouldn’t stand for it.

Also your lack of reaction is worrying.

If my DH “shouted” at me for dropping an unused pad, i would tell him in no uncertain terms in front of my child that he is wrong and there is nothing wrong with it!!

Are you scared of him OP?

I’d be so embarrassed if my husband acted this way. Surely realising your husband is comparable to a childish 12 year old boy is a major turnoff?

Ladies, do you have a secret? Anyone remember that advert?

I don't remember it but googled and it's apparently about an incontinence product:

"The phrase "Advert: Ladies, do you have a secret?" refers to a classic commercial for Always Discreet, an incontinence product. In the ad, one woman is hesitant to attend a concert, but her friend shares a secret about the product, which enables them to both go. The product allows for discreet protection from bladder leaks, which was the "secret"."

Ha HA I used to find my unopened tampons all over the house and was alwasy puzzled until I found my son playing with them one day when he was about 6 or 7. He said oh yeah these are my rocket ships, I get them from the basket in your bathroom. He was horrified when he got older and realised 😄

Your husband needs to get a grip! My 8yr old knows what periods are....my husband has always picked sanitary products up for his daughters and he gets them me if I need any

No no no, I live in house with husband and two sons so they never have behaved like this. There has been times in the past where I needed supplies and they went and got them with no problem. He needs to get over himself!

Yeah your husband sounds like a moron. I think you need to have a word with him about shouting at your son potentially freaking him out about something perfectly normal.

Also tell your son his dad’s reaction was ridiculous, otherwise he’ll think it’s normal.

It used to be a running joke in our family that my dh couldn’t use a bag without finding a pad in the pocket. 😂
I’m glad it’s not taboo in our house as recently my uni age son had his girlfriend to stay and he was comfortable enough to tell me she’d leaked on the bedding and I was able to treat it like a complete non-event.
Your husband maybe beyond help but you can help your son’s future gfs by being open and honest about how it’s not a big deal with him now.

His over reaction is very weird!

Haha, another OP that asks a question and then completely disappears 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

Your DH needs to grow TF up! He knows how babies are made, and that wouldn't happen without periods. Your DS is being given a very bad example by him unfortunately.

I would have completely flipped my lid if my OH had done this. My DS is a toddler, he picked up an unopened tampon and shouted "snack" and we all thought it was very funny. Obvs when he's older I will make sure he knows there is nothing wrong with periods or period products.

Your DH is being a twat.

Your DH needs to get a grip. I have two boys and they'd have been able to tell you what a period pad was not long after they were able to speak. We have a stack of them in the downstairs loo at all times in case any visitors needs them. They've also seen used ones too (because they both went through stages where they would not leave me alone to use the toilet in private) and I have no qualms about that.

So weird. But, when I was a young Mum I would have hidden stuff like this out of sight - maybe because my Mum did? And then when I had to have all the talks with my eldest I found it excruciating! Now, as an older Mum I just have sanitary products out, if the kids follow me to the toilet they see whatever is going on at that moment and it’s so much easier to just answer questions as they arise, I feel like I don’t even really need to have the chats anymore, it will be more like ‘you know how Mummy bleeds once a month, well it’s coming to the time where that might start happening to you soon.’ Etc etc. Is your husband young? I think he’s being unreasonable but we are shaped to an extent to what we saw as children so I wouldn’t be quick to judge him - although he shouldn’t be shouting or shaming you. Can you do a bit of research and send him some links to the benefits of being more open with children?

You're very unreasonable to be hurt. You should be bloody angry!

Is DS an only child or do you have a daughter?!

it’s like sanitary towel pick and mix in various rooms in our house! They’re in and out of school bags, dance bags, gym bags, going out bags etc !
my son sees them as a warning sign not to wind her up! & keeps quieter about their presence than she does his socks and trainers!

My ex was a bully and a weirdo - for 20 years I couldn’t have a box of tampons in the house, I had to decant them into a black cosmetic bag, the box they were in had to be ripped up and thrown away any of the tubing once used had to be wrapped in toilet paper and put in a nappy sack in the bin and if there was a trace of blood anywhere a slight stain in my pants or on the bed linen it caused a huge row- I once haemorrhaged because a bit of the placenta was left behind and was forced to scrub the floor with a nail brush and salt water to clean it up immediately as it happened.

Don’t let this be you, periods are normal and sanitary wear is normal too.

How is this ridiculous manbaby happy to create a life utilising the same reproductive system he is apparently disgusted with? He needs to grow up.