How do you talk to your daughters about periods? Share your tips with Lil-Lets for a chance to win a £300 gift voucher NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

The team at Lil-Lets would love to hear your tips on talking to your daughter(s) about growing up and preparing for their period. Or, how you faired having the same talk with your own mum.

Lil-Lets say "we are often asked by parents how best to approach that all important discussion with their daughters as they become a teen, grow up and start their periods. We know MN is a massive source of support for parents and different stages of the parenting journey and we'd love to hear your tips and experiences with this topic".

Please share your top tips on how to chat to your daughter(s) about growing up and preparing for their period. Lil-Lets also want to hear your tales of the same talk with your own mum.

Check out their video below:

Please add your comment or tip below and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 gift voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ
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I had a book called "Have you started yet?" when I was young and I thought it was good (though also wouldn't have kept it on a shelf for my friends to see), so I got something similar for my daughter. We'd always chatted normally about that sort of thing since the kids were small, so she was well informed, but you don't always listen to the details, do you ?

There is also a really strange old instructional video on YouTube that we watched about a girl called Jill learning about periods in the 1960s - the kids found it so funny they will still repeat lines from it many years later! "Blood from inside my body comes outside from an opening between my legs"...

I started to talk to my girls about periods early so when it happened for each of the older ones they weren't embarrassed.

ive just been open at all since a young age so its not a big deal

I've always been really open with my daughter about 'the facts of life'. When she was about 8, I bought 'Let's Talk About Where Babies' Come From', which has every conceivable (pardon the pun!) fact about childbirth, sex and puberty presented in cartoon and accessible form. I read the relevant bits with her, and then I put it out of reach so she couldn't look at it on her own yet as there were some things I felt she was too young to understand at that age.
I have always happy to answer questions in an age appropriate way and when she started developing I just told her that she would probably start periods in the next couple of years and that she should keep a pack of towels (I only use tampons) as she didn't want to be 'caught out'. She told me when she started getting discharge, I told her it was normal and it meant that her body was preparing for periods/making a baby. I think it's important to tell girls why periods occur, and they should know they are fertile before they start their first period. I had no idea about that last point as a tween, not that I was sexually active, but still..
I knew that when she started I would be the first to know, and I was. We had just got back from our summer holiday (having taken a stack of stuff with just in case) when I heard 'muuuuum! come to the bathroom'. On my arrival upstairs she showed me she'd started, so I helped her get a winged towel into her knickers, gave her a hug and said 'congrats, you're a woman now!' She's not keen on tampons, but I'm sure there will come a time when she wants to try and I will try and help on that score too!!
Oh, and as for my experience. My mum was also quite open, but for some reason I thought once you had 'started', you bled forever til the menopause. Someone must have put me right on that one though as I didn't think that past about 10 I am sure... Anyway, when I told my mum I'd come on, she only had looped towels and a belt, so I went out in that contraption, hardly bleeding at all and vowed to get some 'normal' towels as soon as possible. I think I had a big gap of about 6 months beore I started properly and by then I was fully prepared with a drawer of Bodyforms!! My mum also had a twee word for periods, which was 'business', thankfully now things are much less embarrassing and one can say 'periods' without fear of blushing!!

I "accidentally" left some of my tampons in the bathroom to start a conversation in a natural way and then just told my daughter the facts. She wasn't that impressed! I reassured her that it happens to all women, is part of growing up and doesn't hurt more than a normal tummy ache.
I've also told my son the basic facts about periods.

I was very matter of fact with both of them and stressed that I'm always happy yo tell them the truth about any stories they hear on the playground.

Make them a little pack with all sorts of sanitary things to try for when it does start, info leaflets, and some chocolate!! Let them know that you're there for them, and tell them that if they test out the sanitary products when they start, and let you know which one they preferred using you will stock up for them. Also let them know about your own experiences! Make them see you're a human/girl too, sometimes at this age they forget :)

My mum is lovely but never once talked to me about periods. I used to feel embarrassed about blood stained knickers and would hand wash them. She never bought me STs so I would sometimes wear one for an entire day even though it was sodden and spend pennies that I had gathered together to buy the cheapest ones Anyway, wrt my daughter, I wanted it to be totally different. I was always totally open about periods. She has always known that this happens monthly and I use STs which are kept in the bathroom. She used to be fascinated by them when she was younger! Now she's 10, she has an emergency pack in her bag with knickers, STs, wipes etc. She knows she can chat to me about anything.

My daughter is 11 and has had lessons about this at school which she thought was "disgusting"! We have talked about periods as I want her to be prepared in case it starts when she's at school or somewhere else and I'm not with her. My mother did the same with me but I can't remember if we covered this at school first! It was so long ago!

DD is only 3 but when the time comes I will be open and honest with her just as my mum as with me

I've always been matter of fact and since she got towards that age left supplies next to the loo in a pretty box (with a lid) not only for her, but any visitors should they need them.
We have never needed a big conversation because its part of life. It is important though to talk to them about what to do when accidents happen, and also to make it really clear to them that everyone gets caught unawares sometimes.

Just explain mother to daughter quiet time no frills no drama just normal part of growing up into a beautiful young woman
X

I was told by my mum that when I reach a certain age I will become a woman. I never understood what she meant. She told me as soon as I start to go to high school I should carry panty liners/pads with me - naturally I already knew about it because of my friends so it was really easy for me.

No daughters. My mother didn't really tell me anything. At least nowadays girls have more information

I talk in the most natural way so that she understands that she is part of womankind who all experience the same thing. And I have used the useful books in the library that are intended to prepare girls of a younger age for periods.

I think it's just important to be matter-of-fact and unembarrassed about it and to answer questions honestly as and when they arise.

My DDs are still too young but I will try to have a conversation with them when they are old enough to understand - I think it is better to ensure your daughters are well informed so they know it isn't something to be scared of. I remember my own mum making the arrival of my periods be a special, significant step and something to be proud of and celebrate! I loved the fact that she made it such a positive experience.

I don't have a daughter but my mum always use to talk to me about everything as a teen, was never afraid to tell her if i had an issue or ask her a question. Nothing was ever a taboo subject

My own mum brought me a book - it felt a bit awkward so don't do that! I think be honest right from the start, if its something they always know happens to you right from when they are small it makes it so much easier to introduce and discuss when its time to talk to them about.

I'm just straight up and honest. They've known about my period and what the pads and tampons are from an early age so it's been very easy to go into more detail as they've gotten older.

Not applicable to me I'm afraid. It was awkward for me but thankfully I had my older sister to tell me about it.

I don't have a daughter. However my mother never spoke to me about periods at all so I would say please find a way to explain to your daughters what's going to happen before it does.....
For my son, I got a book on puberty (he reads a lot so giving him a book is usually the best way for him to absorb information) and his father (my ex-h) had a chat with him. My son and I have a good relationship and he knows that he can (and does!) talk to be about absolutely anything

Ok so my mum sent my sister to talk to me who told me what to use and said it would happen once a month, best to put some in my school bag - that's it!!! Thanks

Matter of fact is definitely the way to go.

When DD1 started showing an interest we got a book out of the library. She sat with me and read it, asking questions if she was interested in something. I thought we'd done really well.

Until the next day when I dropped her off at the childminders and DD1 told the CM that I'd freaked her out with it all!

DD2 is coming up to the time where she will need 'the talk' but she hasn't shown an interest and seems completely embarrassed about things when they came across a growing up book that my Mum had at her house.

My daughter is shy, so I got the 'What's happening to my body book for girls' for her. I also chatted to her about body changes, periods and so on, but she was quite embarrassed, so the I'm not sure how much she took in. She said the book was very good and useful.

thanks for all the comments: am pleased to say the winner of the £300 gift voucher is lolamia91