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 have always been open with my daughter since she was small and talked about it when I had my period so do not think it will be a problem when she starts hers.

We talked about it from a fairly young age, she knew about mummys monthly thingamys, obviously not discussed in great detail until she was about 10. Best to be open and shop with her for the necessary hygiene products in advance so she could have them ready when needed and be familiar with them.

When I talked to my daughter, it was an honest open conversation, I started by asking what at had learnt at school in PSHE and then the conversation just developed from there.

This was very different to when I was younger and it was a bit of a taboo subject

She learnt a lot at school and started last year at 12 , we went through all the options and as she's a keen swimmer she decided to use tampax I stayed in the bathroom a few times with her and she soon got use to it. She was a but scared when they started but told me she had 3 friends that discussed it and she was the first to start so she reassured her friends which I thought was very grown up of her.

I've always just been very matter of fact with both dds (9 & 5). I try to answer questions straight away, and have never hidden anything from them. I want them to be able to ask anything they need to and not to be embarrassed. I would rather them be well informed, than rely on playground gossip.

Try and introduce them slowly to the idea of periods, say about 6/7 is a good age but make sure it is before the age where they have their "school talk". Periods seem to be starting earlier for some girls so make sure you talk with them well in advance, you don't want them to have their first period without knowing anything at all about menstruation. You can also get some very good books that explain it very well and give your child information if they're too shy to talk to you about it initially, some girls are more receptive than others.

I've always been very 'age appropriate' open with my daughter. She is still incredibly embarrassed but is softening a bit.

I share custody with her Dad and his wife and I have talked to her because I wouldn't want her to start at her Dad's, not know what it is and be scared. She gets on well with his wife and so I've told her that if she starts there she needs to go to her and be honest and get some pads.

I bought her a book for Christmas to answer any other questions about growing up. It's a shame she feels so embarrassed because I'm really not! I work in a school and I'm very laid back in PSHE lessons and I'm the same with her. No question is wrong and I'd rather she heard from me than playground rumour.

I was surprised how much she already knew

I've not got to that stage yet, but will make sure she had all the leaflets and information she needs, my mum didn't explain it to me so will ensure she fully understands and is not scared.

My daughter is nearly 7 and has asked about sanitary stuff in the bathroom and I've told her! It's just an everyday thong so I just talk like we are discussing everyday life x

When my daughter first started getting stomach aches around 11/12 i just started by saying it could be your period and went from there.

I haven't reached that stage yet as my DD is only 5 but I do hope to have a chat once I feel she will understand it.

As for me and my mum, It wasn't discussed at all until I started period. Then mum stepped in and showed us what needed doing.

DD1 is only 4, but I try to answer any questions she has as simply and honestly as possible. I don't give her any more information than she asks for, but I'll answer all her questions. (eg what's that string hanging from your foof?)

honestly and openly. I will always answer any questions

I could never talk to my own mother about periods so I have made sure that my daughters know that we are all women together and we all worry about the same things so it's better to share

In a really honest and straight forward way, i don't want her to be embarrassed or anxious about any aspect.

A way off yet but when the time comes I shall hopefully just bring her up so that she can ask me anything and not feel uncomfortable in doing so.
Therefore she will be at ease when the time comes

I have prepared my daughter since Year 6 after buying lovely teen pads that she could keep in her bag just in case ... She is now in Year 8 and it has just happened before Christmas. She was quite happy and not worried at all. We had had many talks about it and she discussed it with her friends at school too. The main thing is not to make a big deal of it - it's a natural process that will happen eventually!

Just be as open and honest as possible, but be clear that it's nothing to be afraid of.

My mum was terribly serious about it all, she gave me and my sister a book about Periods when I was 11 (thankfully I didn't start til a few years later). She left some towels in the wardrobe and left us to get on with it. It wasn't something we really talked about.

I read a really good book with her about puberty and periods when she was 9. She said it was disgusting but actually took the news very well and was very mature! I'm always honest with her whenever she has a question, so I think she is prepared when it happens, she is nearly 11 now but hopefully won't start for at least another year!

I wanted to thank the poster who said about changing the bed to make it clean. My 3 year old asked what are periods last night (she follows me to the loo and sees me changing tampons etc and always asks loudly in public toilets of they are 'period bins' ) Although I want to be open and talk about it in an age appropriate way I'm not too sure how to explain it in an age appropriate way! After talking about it a bit she asked where does the water go when it goes down the drain so I think she was happy with the answer!

we just mentioned it along the years whenever growing up and life in general was being discussed. when the time got nearer we got products in ready and it was just another milestone reached when the time came.

My daughter is too young for this yet but I'm just going to be honest with her I hope! My mum was open with me and even warned me it might hurt, which worried me a bit but at least I was prepared (because I always had bad ones).
It's important to know it happens to everyone as I found friends never really talked about it until they were sure everyone was having them, and then it's moaning rather than info

Very straight talking- no beating about the bush. Recommended pads when she was a virgin, but said to try lilets, and then she went onto tampons.