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Original poster

changing towels/tampons/mooncups in cubical with kids!

42 replies

luciemule · 16/03/2007 22:31

What does everyone do when changing towels or whatever in a loo cubical with their kids? I'd never leave DD and DS outside of loo on their own whilst I go in so always go into disabled loo that I can get the pushchair in. However, DD is now 5 and it's geting tricky to change towels. I ask her to turn around but this won't work forever. I know it seems a bit of a weird question but a few months back she accidently saw during 'transition' and burst into tears and broke down, thinking I was really poorly!
Haven't yet bought mooncup but can't imagine emptying that discreetly in cubical without DC's noticing. Perhaps I'll just never go out during AF!

OP posts:

Yurtgirl · 16/03/2007 22:34

I have had this problem too - thus far I have managed to do it discretely whilst ds is washing and drying his hands.
Another trick I tried was to get him to look at a book from the shopping - he was so distracted he didnt notice - pushchairs are handy to hide behind too

FrannyandZooey · 16/03/2007 22:35

I think if your dd is noticing and getting upset and worried, it would be better to tell her in simple terms what is happening, so that she can stop worrying

I haven't explained to my ds yet as he hasn't really noticed, but I do know of people who have told their children from age 3 and children find it easy to accept if told in a straightforward and basic way.

MrsGurningFreak · 16/03/2007 22:37

i know that i asked my mum when i saw her change her towel when i was about four. (i remember cos of the house we were in at the time). she just said that it's somethign that happens to ladies once a month and it doesn't hurt. i never really thought about it again.

bananaloaf · 16/03/2007 22:39

i have 2 boys and neither allow peace in the toilet to do the needful. is very hard in public loos. can remeber being in public loos with my own mother when she had to change cant remeber what she told me it was. was in tescos last week and ds1 who is 3.5 picked some sanitary towel from the shelf and annouced to the shop that i did i need some as they were for bottoms[blush shock]

NotanOtter · 16/03/2007 22:40

i do it at home infront of ALL my dcs

they are 1 -14 its normal

malaleche · 16/03/2007 22:41

Actually you might find you can empty a mooncup and re-insert without a dc noticing much - only problem is they can squeak when your manouvering (sp?) them!

NotanOtter · 16/03/2007 22:42

kids should see these things why not?

HuwEdwards · 16/03/2007 22:42

I did this in front of my kids from the word go, so it's not a big deal. Just do it and tell her.

Original poster

luciemule · 16/03/2007 22:50

I'm glad I asked now - was a bit to ask but obviously not just me who worries about it then.
When DD was very little (2), I remember asking her to pass me a towel from my bedroom and she thought nothing of it and called them mummy's towels but obviously now, she'd want to know more. Perhaps DS (2) won't be too worried about it all: yesterday, he came into the loo, pulled off some loo paper and tried to wipe me! I grabbed his hand and said no it's ok mummy will wipe herself! Oh the joys of being a mummy. Not an Otter -lol - I'm imagining you busily changing in the loo in front of your 14 year old!!! Is it a girl or boy?!I assume you meant when they were little.

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NotanOtter · 16/03/2007 22:54

no ---i mean now

Madoldcatlady · 16/03/2007 22:56

Lol Notanotter! You make it sound like you call all the DCs round to watch whenever you need to change your tampax!!

I know what you mean though. If they see it, they accept it and dont worry about it.

Having said that, the occasional time I've been stuck in a toilet cubicle with three kids whilst changing a tampax, I would say something along the lines of "Ohh, was that a spider that crawled under the door?" Whip it out and replace it while they were otherwise occupied/hysterical!!!

malaleche · 16/03/2007 22:57

Cool

NotanOtter · 16/03/2007 22:57

i just say somthing along the lines of - sorry about this and then do it

no big deal

Original poster

luciemule · 16/03/2007 23:00

I'm now not worried anymore about doing the business in the cubical having read the very liberal way you treat it. Good - will experiment with 'spider-under-door-' comments next AF!

OP posts:

nooka · 16/03/2007 23:00

I can't see the big deal really - and wonder how you guys managed to have the bathroom to yourself at home when you were having your periods. My guys would have seriously objected! I think it's much easier, and quite important also to just be completely matter of fact about it. I use towels, and they are vaguely interested (but not at all worried), but more in the important fact that when I have a period I don't take them swimming. I didn't say it doesn't hurt though, as I quite often feel lousy when I have a period, and don't appreciate being leaped on, so they need to know! But then I do come from the if they ask a question tell them the truth school, which I know some people aren't keen on.

NotanOtter · 16/03/2007 23:02

i agree totally nooka

Original poster

luciemule · 16/03/2007 23:03

Whilst we're on the subject - does everyone think I'm completely useless, at the age of 29, to have only once used a tampon??? I just always thought it a bit weird and unnatural. Then when I was about 21, I had cervical erosion and GP said oohh don't use tampons - not sure if she ever or just whilst I had it! And I never have since. Somehow have just avoided swimming with AF etc. Perhaps I'm freaked out that I'll leak without knowing.

OP posts:

Original poster

luciemule · 16/03/2007 23:05

that should have read 'if she meant ever'

OP posts:

kamikayzed · 16/03/2007 23:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kamikayzed · 16/03/2007 23:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nooka · 16/03/2007 23:14

I don't think it's a big deal - lots of women use towels. Personally I find tampons very uncomfortable (have vaguely thought about mooncups)

Original poster

luciemule · 16/03/2007 23:17

Cool - my sister gives me a real hard time about 'confining' myself to towels - I really thought I was the odd one out! Will just have to coincide my visits to Center Pacrs with non AF weeks!!!

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friendlyedjit · 16/03/2007 23:18

have never thought about it..with all 3 in bathroom. Don't often get a chance to eb there by myself unless at work, and just tend to change away. Have explained that every month bleed, and when they're bigger it will also happen to them and is completely normal. They think tampons are funny, and have found thme hanging out of the staircase and towels occasionally stuck on wall!!!
very arty lot..... tracey eat your heart out

AitchYouBerk · 16/03/2007 23:20

that's why i changed to the mooncup, actually. i did find tampons uncomfortable after having dd.

NannyL · 16/03/2007 23:46

I agree

i empty my mooncup once per day (in the evening before bed)! my charges (who always seem to maange to accompany to the loo[which has no lock]) never know any different cauase they dont actually see 'anything'!

another huge plus point for a mooncup IMO

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