Periods - what age is best to explain to child

[2kidswelshmum]

What age is appropriate to explain periods/menstrual cycle to daughter?

I have a 7 year old daughter and a 5 year old son. In the swimming pool changing room bathroom today they saw the free period products on the sink and asked what they are.

I gave a non committal answer in that moment because I wanted more time to think how I respond, and also we were running a bit late for their lesson.

I figure there’s no reason why I can’t tell them - it’s part of life etc. I’m just not sure of the best way to phrase it.

And I’m leaning towards tailoring the answer per child, giving my seven year old daughter a bit more info…?

We used a book. We read it every night at story time for 2 weeks,there's nothing that ds doesn't know about periods 😂

My kids have always known. Much to the shock of my mother.

Love that. A book aimed at kids? If so, what’s it called? I might find that helpful ❤️

5-7 is fine, just give them the facts. I know a couple of girls who started theirs at 9 so I would definitely get on with giving your 7 year old all the info.

A lot earlier than 5 and 7!!

My daughters had this book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Whats-Happening-Girls-Facts-Life/dp/0746069952

Mine certainly knew by age 5 and 7

5 and 7 sounds like ideal ages. Anything that makes periods a normal part of life and not a secret.

Mine have always known, impossible not to when they’ve always insisted on coming to the toilet with me 😂

I’ve always given them basic info from a very young age - ie when they had to come into a public toilet with me, or when we were making shopping lists, it’s always been a really normal thing to talk about San pro etc. but I started my periods at 8 and so did my dd so I made sure my sons were well aware

I’m not meaning to be nasty, but I’m genuinely astounded as to how anyone with young children hasn’t had the conversation from a super early age. Both my daughters have been in the loo with me when I’m on my period, from newborn onwards, and have asked various questions about why I’m bleeding, what’s a tampon for etc etc which I’ve answered totally naturally. I’d love to know how one has any privacy with a small child 😂

My sons seen and talked about it since age 2

Exactly

My kids have known for a very long time, the bathroom is not a place of peace for me, we pretty much have family meetings while I’m on the toilet 😂. They know Mummy bleeds every month, my daughter knows she will one day experience the same and that I’ll be there to help her with everything she needs.

My family did not have the conversation with me, I started my period at 10 and hid my knickers behind the toilet and didn’t say anything until they were discovered, I was petrified.

No idea why my family found it to be such a taboo.

It was 20 odd years ago,it was an Usborne book, simple pictures about how babies were made plus periods. I bet they have an up to date version still if you Google

Mine were toddlers. The min they questioned products in the bathroom we explained that when girls grow up the sometimes bleed. They’re not poorly it’s just something that happens to their body. They thought it was great that mummy sometimes wears nappies too.

Ds was never interested in being in the loo with me, I honestly can't remember him in with me, it must have happened occasionally but wasn't a regular occurrence.

Yes same as other posters, mine just see me with a sanitary towel or tampon in the loo and have asked. When my DS was about 2 and asked I said it was “Mummy’s nappy”!!! 😬 As they’ve got older I’ve told them a bit more. My DD is now 7 and DS 3. The other day she asked about it again and then asked what happened to boys. I had to think then I remembered facial hair, voices lowering and something about testicles! I think it’s good to talk about boys at the same time so they realise that there are changes for everyone as they grow up.

Mine started to learn about them in year 2 so I told her around then

This is the book I had as a kid! It was brilliant.
To be honest I think mine were about 6/7 when I started explaining periods. I didn’t have kids who followed me to the toilet so there were never any questions earlier than that.

Yeah I’ve got 3 kids and I can’t really remember it ever happening here either.

I have never taken a child to the toilet with me, especially during my period. Not my thing at all!

I think the ideal is to tell them so early that they never remember not knowing. Then gradually more information gets added over time. But that's much easier to do with a child who is curious about things.

My DD liked to have a chat when I was on the loo. I honestly can't remember how old she was when I explained why I was bleeding - three or four? I can't have done a very good job because when she was nine, she said: 'Mummy, I want to grow breasts but I don't want to have periods because it doesn't look like very much fun having one of those contact lenses things on your fanny.'

My mother never explained a thing to me. I learnt at school. On the day my period started, in a school music lesson when I had just turned 12, I told my mum when I got home and she said: 'You'll have to be careful what you do with boys now.' That was it, and as I had no interest in boys, I hadn't clue what she was talking about.

This little episode is the reason I vowed I would never leave any daughter I had in ignorance.

In your case, OP, tell them both the same thing, to avoid confusion when they compare notes.

What about when they were little and you are out on your own with them for the day? Did you leave them alone?
I told mine from very young (3/4). DS has merrirly bought tampons for his sister as a young teen and explained various options sanitary products to his younger sister when she asked him.
So much better than my confused teenage self having to work it out from adverts (blue blood didnt help!)