Preteens
10yo DD started her period
Blinkme · 20/01/2020 13:41
Hi
As the title says, my 10yo DD started her period this morning. She woke up very embarrassed and not wanting to get out of bed. I was quite surprised when I realised why. 10 is very young, she's in primary 6.
I had a brief chat with her this morning, explained what was happening and that it was normal and it was a period. I gave her a pad, showed her how to put them on and I'm hoping she will be okay at school today.
Anyone else been in this situation? Is there anything I should explain to her that I won't think about?
dementedpixie · 20/01/2020 13:50
Had you not spoken to her before now? I would give her a wee zippy bag with spare towel and pants for school. Ask whether they have disposal units in the toilets at school and tell her not to flush used towels
ScottishBadger · 20/01/2020 13:53
My 8 year old is going through precocious puberty. We've opted for period pants as she doesn't need to change in a day
I would have a word with the teacher in private so they are aware requests to use the bathroom are necessary
katee90 · 20/01/2020 13:56
You really should have spoken to her about this sooner. Y6 isn't young to be starting her period but it's old not to know anything about them!
SarahTancredi · 20/01/2020 13:56
Personally I'd have kept her off today to give her a chance to get to grips with everything. Seems a little harsh that you were both so unprepared and you sent her to school with no idea how shes cope or even if there were bins in the toilets.
Get on prime and order yourself a pencil case( will be less conspicuous if someone
drops her bag) and a little wet bag so she can store some underwear if she has an accident.
I'd also speaker your dd to make sure she doenst need you to speak to the teacher re a toilet or being refused access to the toilets in lessons.
Mummydoctor · 20/01/2020 13:57
Starting periods at 10 years old really isn’t that unusual anymore. I started periods at the end of year 5 and that was many many years ago now. Talk to her about puberty if you haven’t already so she knows what is normal and how to manage her periods.
twosoups1972 · 21/01/2020 10:25
Are you saying she had no idea about periods before now?? You never mentioned them or they didn't cover the topic at school?
I presume she has other signs of puberty, did you not think periods were on the way?
Get some different types of pad for her to try, you could also look at period pants as an alternative.
williams345 · 21/01/2020 10:26
I was 10 it's a pretty normal age, have you not spoken to her about it before hand in case this happened ?
Pineaurouge · 21/01/2020 10:29
Both of my DDs were 10 when they started. They were prepared and both had a small bag in their school bags with spare underwear and pads in.
justilou1 · 21/01/2020 10:43
10 is not unusual these days, OP. I started at 9 (which was VERY unusual then) and I am 47. Normal is 10-11. Again, you probably should have had that chat earlier, but you didn’t. Not the end of the world. Make her a pack in a wash at with extra knickers, hand gel, deodorant, a couple of sanitary napkins, etc.... discuss the importance of hand hygiene and toxic shock. Keep a track of periods. Don’t assume that this is a one-off, or that it will be light. (Mine were tsunamis) Maybe provide ibuprofen/paracetamol in the pack. Talk to her - later maybe about cramps and pain relief.
Laserbird16 · 21/01/2020 10:46
A nice book a friend used recently was 'Welcone to your period'. Her daughter really liked it and she is 10.
heymammi · 21/01/2020 11:05
I started mine at 10 in year 6. However I grew up in a household full of women and all though they didn't actually sit me down and talk to me directly about it I knew exactly when any of them were 'on' as that's all they moaned about for days. I knew about pads and mess and cramps. I grew up where doors weren't closed and women walked around naked! So when my time came I knew what was happening, I was still shocked and surprised though and had to wear massive pads sitting in assembly singing all creatures great and small ðŸ˜
LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 21/01/2020 11:09
I started mine at 10 in year 6 too. It’s a perfectly normal age for periods to start. I think you’ve fucked up by not taking to her about them sooner to be honest; poor kid must have been terrified.
I would buy a selection of different pads for her to try so she can work out which works best.
2019canfoff · 21/01/2020 11:39
@Blinkme I think you need to let her ask you some questions and answer them honestly.
Don't worry about the PP saying how you've messed up by not talking about periods before, I never had a talk with my mum and nothing bad happened to me!
Get her a book that she can read when she wants.
Make her a small period bag that she can have pads and pants in for school.
Get her a nice hot water bottle or wheat bag to help with cramps.
Just be there for her and let her know she can come to you any time with any questions.
Good luck OP and hope your DD is ok xx
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