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Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

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Original poster

My 11 year old started her period today

16 replies

pinkpetrol · 27/12/2019 00:00

Which is fine, she had a little kit ready as her sister started at a v similar age. But she is insisting on using the tampons from the starter kit. The first I knew of it was when my husband came in to complain that there was a used tampon in the sink! Is this OK? I didn't use tampons until I was 14, her 25 year old sister never uses tampons. I have been completely blindsided by this

OP posts:

Mulledwineinajug · 27/12/2019 00:03

I used tampons from my first period. It’s absolutely fine. Just let her know how to dispose of them!

Original poster

pinkpetrol · 27/12/2019 00:09

Did you? Phew. She knows now what to do with them! I had spent ages this morning explain g what she should do with her used sanitary towels as her 15 year old sister isn't particularly good at disposing of them. I just wasn't expecting her to use tampons. I feel better now thanks

OP posts:

Candyfloss99 · 27/12/2019 00:10

I know a teenager who started her periods and started using a cup right away!

Hidingtonothing · 27/12/2019 00:12

I think it's fine OP, my DD was 10 and chose to stick with pads but it was her choice entirely. If your DD is comfortable that's all that matters I think.

VeryMerryChristmas · 27/12/2019 00:13

I used tampons from my second period. I remember groaning about the icky bloody towel and my friend who’d already started her period talking me through from the next cubicle how to use a tampax. The freedom!

Justwanttotravel · 27/12/2019 00:19

My 12 year old started her periods this week. She complained that she was getting in a mess with pads and asked me to get her tampons. I bought a box expecting her to try them after a couple more periods but she has been using them since I gave her them!

FlamingoAndJohn · 27/12/2019 00:21

Just talk to her about how to dispose of them.

thistimelastweek · 27/12/2019 00:25

Sounds like she has pretty much sorted it but for one thing

Used tampons don't go on the sink! Period lesson 1 covers that.

eveshopper · 27/12/2019 00:37

Why would it not be ok?

The sink thing though surely by 11 she should know that's not ok!

Heartofglass12345 · 27/12/2019 01:14

Just make sure she knows about the differing ones due to how heavy her flow is and not to use them if her period is very light/ trailing off (mine goes like that at the end)

FruitcakeOfHate · 27/12/2019 01:16

I used them from my first.

Original poster

pinkpetrol · 27/12/2019 05:33

Thanks everyone for those who gave judgement free, reassuring, sensitive advice.
Despite the tone of some comments it is unusual for a child who has only just turned 11 to independently decide to use tampons and its reasonable of me to ask if that's OK.
I think leaving it in the sink was her being quite distracted. She is only just 11, having a very heavy period and it's been a very busy few days. Either way it was a pretty minging discovery and won't happen again!
I hope she does graduate to a moon cup or something similar. Typically I had bought her some period pants earlier in the day!

OP posts:

Gardai · 27/12/2019 08:59

Eh Pinkpetrol no one gave judgemental comments...you reading the correct thread ?

Mulledwineinajug · 27/12/2019 09:23

Don’t worry OP. Everyone is different. I hated the messy feeling of using pads and I wanted to go swimming. My sister found tampons uncomfortable until she was older. It sounds as though you have it sorted with your dd.

eveshopper · 27/12/2019 09:46

Thanks everyone for those who gave judgement free, reassuring, sensitive advice.

Despite the tone of some comments it is unusual for a child who has only just turned 11 to independently decide to use tampons and its reasonable of me to ask if that's OK.

Are you reading the same thread as the rest of us?

reluctantbrit · 27/12/2019 10:54

She may like period pants when school starts again. DD absolutely hates changing pads in school so the pants are a godsend.

DD swims and had to learn to like tampons but she doesn’t uses them outside swimming and a cup is her greatest dislike.

I encourage the pants also as it reduces waste.

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