10 year old just started periods

[Dollygirl2008]

Hi, I'm sure that 10 (and a bit!) isn't that young to have started their periods, but it feels sooooo young to me and I'm struggling a bit! How can you have periods and still believe in Father Christmas??

I'm putting aside how devastated I feel and am trying to make this as easy and "non-eventful" as I can for my DD. Only day two, so I'll see how today has gone when I collect her tonight. I just wanted to advice really on what to expect. I'll list my questions if I may:

Do these first periods tend to be "normal" periods, or more like "shows"?

Any advice on best sanitary protection? She's gone to school today with pads, but we are going tonight to buy some different ones as she doesn't want the wings showing when she's changing for sport etc.

Any other advice to make this OK for her

She's pretty sorted and grown up but she's struggling as she's by far more advanced physically than any of her friends and we had so many tears last night as she feels so different.

Also, I'm a single parent and sometimes I just need a bit of perspective! Thanks in advance

Would also recommend period pants they've given my DD a lot more confidence

Yes I've ordered a couple of pairs of period pants as they seem to have come down in price since I last looked. Might be a bit big as they only did size 8, but we'll see!

I think I possible remember my own horror stories, albeit few and far between luckily, and just want to try and make it as easy as I can. However, we all learn the same way don't we!!!

See if there is any scope for taking in the side seams of the period pants. With a bit of hand stitching- or ask someone you know who sews if they will do it. Just as a short term thing.
Size 8 might fit better than you think anyway.

DD has these is size 4-6 they are bigger than size would indicate but she likes them for bed time and days she doesn't have PE

https://www.cheekywipes.com/period-pants-uk/period-pants-4-layer.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjNqi9Wd3wIVhLTtCh10Lgy2EAAYAiAAEgK6VVDBwEE
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These are her favourite for everyday
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Intimate Portal Lite Absorbent... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074M3W2G8?ref=yoo_popmaa_swf

I find it helped me to track DD's on the calendar (with a secret code! ) so I knew when she was due and could preempt them as she was very scatty at first and would get caught out at school. She has very heavy periods (as I did) and that can be very unnerving. The 'teen' products are all tiny and delicate but that really doesn't help when you're having really heavy periods. I'd get her loads of different pads and some dark coloured knickers for school.

Thank you paddler! They look great and a really good price!!

OP, is your daughter in Y5 or Y6?

If she's in Y6, then I'm sure at least one or two others will start over the next few months. If she doesn't want to tell the teacher then she hasn't got all that long left so may not have to.

If she's in Y5 though, then she's one of the older ones and it could be a while before anyone else starts - and the teachers will be expecting it a bit less. If that were me, I'd probably want to let the school know discreetly.

She's year 5 - birthday in September though so the oldest girl by about 5 months! She's adamant she doesn't want them to know so I'll play it by ear

The period pants turned up today - I ordered the shorts style ones and she loves them so fingers crossed!!