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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We didn't have books or DVDs etc. We just talked about it as an every day part of growing up. I answered her questions honestly and by the time she was in her teens I think she knew more than me!

I managed to discuss it very easily with my daughter when she had sex education at school, I bought in some pads and stored them in her room and explained if she wanted to know anything just ask (she isn't embarrassed to chat with me about this kind of things so I am lucky)
I also showed her a site online that she could read.

I chatted to my eldest, now 19 when she was about 5 or 6, she was very interested in all things baby and it was just a progression from that. I remember her always saying at the time that she couldn't wait to become older to experience a cycle, I smiled and left it at that. When her periods started around 12 years of age I reminded her of that quote and she just replied with 'hmmm'... :)

I chatted to my eldest, now 19 when she was about 5 or 6, she was very interested in all things baby and it was just a progression from that. I remember her always saying at the time that she couldn't wait to become older to experience a cycle, I smiled and left it at that. When her periods started around 12 years of age I reminded her of that quote and she just replied with 'hmmm'... :)

I don't have a daughter, I have a son. But I've talked about periods along with all manner of other things over the years as and when the need arises. I've not bought books as much to my disappointment he will not read!!! My mum bought me books when I was young and they were really good, I was able to read them on my own without the embarrassment factor! There hasn't ever been any embarrassment discussing anything with my son, for him or for me. I know he doesn't mind because he will bring subjects up easily and discuss them. We're just quite open about things without turning them into any kind of big deal. Its good!

by helping them understand the science in a fun way from an early age

I just try to be really relaxed and open! Tell her it's completely natural and make sure she knows she can bring these things up whenever she wants. I also make sure we talk in front of dad and brother so she understands it shouldn't be taboo.

Not at that stage but hopefully will be able to talk without embarrassment and will be well prepared

Honestly and open and factual was how I approached it.

Kids are so open these days so it was really easy talking to my daughters about periods. Whereas I would be (and probably still would be) mortified at asking someone for a sanitary item in an emergency, my daughters and their friends regularly talk about things and don't bat an eyelid at borrowing or lending items.

This has continued to openly talking about drugs, alcohol and sex - thankfully my kids are incredibly sensible.

Just keep the pathways open and allow them to come to you for anything!

I'm quite a way off this but I would buy a book for girls all about puberty and then i would sit down with my DD to read through it together giving her the opportunity to ask questions. I would keep it simple, open and honest.

Haven't had to do the talk myself, but my mum didn't really give me one at all. I left her a note (!) saying I'd started and read lots about it and could I have some pads and tampons please, and she just left a box on my bed! It didn't have any negative effect on me whatsoever, and in fact not making a big 'talk' out of it actually made me feel more comfortable with it. But I was always an independent child, and what works for some won't work for others - trust your instincts!

Openly and honestly

Hi my daughter hasnt started her period yet however i have spoke to her about it and got her some pantyliners and pads to keep at school iin case she gets her first period while she’s not at home.

Ive been up front and honest with my daughter, shes now 15 nearly 16 and started a while ago, she was well prepared for them, knew where to find pads and tampons so she could choose what to use. shes never been brought up to be embarrassed and doesn't seem to have any problems discussing them

My daughter asked me when she was 3 and looked really concerned when coming to the toilet and saw I was on my period. Shea asked why is poo stuff coming from your front bum??!! I just said its so I can have babies and only ladies get it and you will have the same when your older. She said "Yuk I dont want babies" and that was the end of it....well for now anyway.

very carefully as not to frighten them, but also these days primary schools do this early on so when they hear with their friends it is not so frightening for them

Was very matter of fact with dd (now 13) she was well informed I think from magazines, friends and school. We talked about various products and now she knows which ones suit her, so I usually buy those. We haven't really discussed tampons yet as I think she's a bit scared to try, but that's fine, I've made her aware of hygiene and health factors and she can ask anything whenever she wants.

...meant to add grrr -send button pressed - not preview! Just be as honest as you can and make sure they know that they can ask anything, anytime.

My daughter is ten and has friends who have already started. It's definitely rapidly approaching. I make sure I'm open and clear and factual about body changes. I've bought some small, individually wrapped sanitary towels, and demonstrated exactly what to do with them and shown her where they are kept. My main tip would be, nothing is too small or silly to talk about. My dd asks me lots of questions as they arise and I always take her seriously and answer fully.

I found the easiest way is to be open & honest right from when children are small. Answer questions truthfully appropriate to their age & get them able to talk freely about all subjects, & ask questions. There are some great books, & online information to assist. When it is your own period it often presents an opportunity to mention things, such as how you feel & how often you need to change etc.

With great difficulties

My daughter was quite open about periods when we started to discuss them. She was about 8 at the time and as I suffer from bad PCOS and Endometriosis both of my kids have seen me in crisis and understand that periods can be quite debilitating.

When she started she found her own periods quite hard to talk about and as she was regular she didn't have to talk about them very much. Now though they are becoming erratic and she is finding it difficult talking about them. I have let her know that I will always be there should she have any questions and that if she would rather go to the doctor about them then that is ok too - it's just a waiting game

1 already at that stage, 1 coming up to it, always made sure they had an emergency bag disguised as a make up bag, with all they would need incase they started at school!
always told them what to expect as unfortunately my mum told me nothing about periods when i was growing up

I can't remember my mum chatting about it with me but we did have talks at primary school and got samples of pads and stuff. I think that was all I had but she did get me some supplies in just in case. We're quite matter-of-fact so maybe I didn't need a big talk because I sort of found out stuff anyway.