Let's talk taboo topics with Modibodi

[JustineBMumsnet]

This activity is now closed

There are many topics that are traditionally considered taboo - and whether that’s discussing your period, the menopause, money whether you have it or not, or topics like incontience or sex, talking about taboo topics can sometimes be helpful, and so Modibodi would like to hear about the ways you talk about taboo topics with your friends and family.

Here’s what Modibodi has to say: “Modibodi™ is modern, protective apparel, created for real women. real bodies. real leaks! We cater to give all bodies more confidence and comfort, and a more sustainable solution to disposable hygiene. Our founder and CEO, Kristy Chong, spent almost two years working scientists and designers, developing, and testing the patented Modifier Technology™ that makes up the super stylish leak-proof knickers into the Modibodi collection. We have a UK team and warehouse, with same day dispatch, so you can get your Modibodi quickly! Modibodi also gives back to women in need through their Give A Pair program.”

“Modibodi believes that making a positive impact should be as easy as changing the undies we wear and now your swimwear too. Along with our sister brand RED, which is period proof protective undies for tweens and teens, we want all women and young girls to feel confident and be leak free. If you don’t believe us, try them for yourself with a 30-day free trial.
Modibodi offers FREE shipping in the UK and Northern Ireland, and are currently offering Mumsnet users 12% off their first order with the code ‘mumstaboo’ on their site. Offer excludes packs, gift cards and sale items.”

How would you talk to your daughter about her period? Or educate your son on what happens to women during menstruation? Are continence or ‘leak’ issues something you feel like you can’t mention, or are there topics that you’d be too embarrassed to speak about outside of a doctors office? Do you find it difficult to talk about money with others, out of fear they’ll feel judged, or that they’ll judge you? Perhaps there’s some people in your life you’d talk about anything with, regardless of how taboo the topic?

However you discuss topics that are traditionally taboo, share a comment below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list) and one MNer will win a £100 Modibodi voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

Please don't leave it to age 9 to tell daughters about periods. Girls are starting periods earlier these days. Many will already have started age 9

I think the easiest way to discuss sometimes difficult subjects of embarrassing ones is to just answer questions kids have when they come up however young they are. In theory it’s easier and less embarrassing for everyone then. Or pretending your talking about someone else or a hypothetical situation!

My daughter who is very relaxed about letting DH and Ds know when she has her period. So glad there are more choices for her than just tampons or towels.

I've always been truthful with my son about periods as he's grown up, adapting the language I use depending on his age. Now he's older I'm being open about the menopause, being honest and normalising the process

Oh your Qs cover so many interesting issues. I think periods are now openly discussed: I have three DDs - two teenagers - and they are quite open in discussing them, and they also discuss with their friends which is a nice change from the secrecy when I was a teenager.
In terms of leaks: I don't suffer with those, so don't really discuss, but would find discussion around incontinence very difficult - it feels like a failing (a big one) and I don't really want to admit it (even to myself).

Money is an interesting one. I don't discuss it really, but also aware that we seem to have less than others in our social circle, so I don't really invite conversation.

I think some people are more keen to share than others - and I think finding ways to be open with each other is a great leveller.

My dc threw all the taboos out the window at lunch today... In a cafe. The conversation started with orphans, moved quickly to adoption and then how teen pregnancies happen .

I’ve always tried to be open with my daughter about periods. She started hers just over a year ago and in general I’ve been very impressed with how she’s coped. She’s not embarrassed at talking to me about them but was when I went with her to the doctor’s to discuss her very heavy flow.

I know that she’s very open with her friends about periods which I think is a good thing and a change from when I was her age.

My mum chose a day I was off school sick and handed me a book about periods. I was always embarrassed to talk to her about them.

I have 6DC, and was determined that we would be open and honest as a family about periods and all they entail. I have 4DD and 2DS and we have never hidden anything from them. The boys are amazing at fetching changes of clothes for their Dsis and will happily buy tampons and towels if they are needed. We all suffer from extremely heavy periods and leakage is common. The boys know how painful periods can be and are sympathetic. A few of DS17 female friends have commented on how supportive he is and how they can speak to him about periods with no embarrassment.

In my opinion it's essential to educate both girls and boys about periods, in an age appropriate way, from the minute they start asking questions, or around 8 or 9. And to keep speaking openly.

My friend was diagnosed with a gynae cancer recently and had she not been confident enough to talk about changes to her periods, she would be dying.

Since then, as a family, all sorts of things have been discussed really openly and it's really brought up some interesting discussions. My dad and DP both thought smear tests were done standing up! Fascinating. They now know they most certainly are not but they had never really thought about it.

So in short, explaining things in really simple terms and very openly is how I intend to talk to my DC when they're old enoughz

I remember when mine started my mum (My mum was quite old when she had me) fished out of a drawer some plastic pants .!!! which you slotted a towel into, they rustled when you walked. I though OMG, is this my life from now on HELP.... Luckily I read Jackie magazine and read about tampons and sent for a sample... thank god, I wish. I love the sound of these pants for night time sound fab , I am a big fan of the mooncup myself .

I got a double prolapse after having DD. I was 32, perfect BMI, non smoker, fit etc. None of the things often (incorrectly associated) with women who get prolapses. I did not get them by not doing pelvic floor exercises or because I did not have good vaginal muscles. It was because of an epic second stage labour, syntocin drip and forceps.

When I had the repair when DD was 18 months I told people (if it came up, I did not accost people ) I tell people now when they bug me about not having another that I actually value my pelvic health more and how soul destroying prolapses can be to mental and physical health and that no, I won't risk further damage just to say I had one more child and avoided the 'stigma' of having 'only one'.

Women need to talk more about pelvic health so people don't think post birth complications are vanishingly rare.

I am super honest with my kid about periods and money and anything considered 'taboo' because I feel like keeping things as taboos keeps those things as shameful things and I don't want my kids to feel shame about anything they're experiencing or wanting to talk about. And on the periods and money subject I find it sad that they are considered taboo because all cis-women have periods and some people have lots of money and some people have very little and that's the way our capitalist society works- people capitalise on others. And on that note I also take taboo things as a way to educate kids on society and the structures we have in it to help expand their minds.

Any topics that involve bodily functions are wide open for discussion with me to anybody, and I find the same for most of my colleagues, which is probably due to our actual job.
It tends to break down all barriers. You know everybody is the same, and most people are suffering with something or another, and we shouldn't be ashamed about it.
A topic I do find difficult to discuss is finances, and I try to avoid it. I think money, and whether you have it or not, can do funny things to people.

they look great but you can't fucking buy them because they have non in stock. no way to order and be alerted when back in stock and not easy to find contact details onthe website. needed urgently too.

rather pissed off to be fiar.

I've used cloth pads/menstrual cup for years and am SO pleased to see underwear like this becoming main stream.

I'm very open about periods, I'm sure some people find it very unladylike of me. But I can't stand to hear a needed, natural part of being a woman treated as something disgusting.

My daughter is only young. But I think this underwear is going to be a game changer for girls at school.

My taboo to talk about is the incontinence I suffer since pregnancy/childbirth. I'm too embarrassed to say much about it.

And have a hen do coming up at a trampoline park! I've been wondering what to do about it and think maybe Modibodi could be my saviour.

I'm even embarrassed to buy Tena lady it's that taboo to me.

Against n my mother never discussed with me was made to feel embarrassed and sorted self out as result always been open with DD around all those subjects so she is completely comfortable talking to me about periods etc DC suffers with periods so I’ve bought her the black Tena pant size to prevent accidents and embarrassment I never knew modibodi existed will definitely be looking into this

RE money I never discuss outside immediate family occasionally with BFriend if broke but also share ideas on saving and bargains with her I also never ask anyone re money it’s their business not mine

I still think periods and the menopause are quite taboo in the workplace. Though things are changing for the better, albeit slowly.

The only things I really don’t like to discuss are politics and religion, because it can turn into a very heated conversation quite quickly.

Money is a tricky one, I’m of the old school and I don’t think it’s good manners to speak publicly about how much money one has but anything else to do with money is fine by me.

My parents were / are very standoffish about personal or taboo topics. It certainly didn’t help me as a child and it still doesn’t make life easy now so I don’t recommend that way of being and I try to be very open with communication.

People do judge me and I’m sure I offend some others but we’ve moved on from the Victorian times now, haven’t we ?

How would you talk to your daughter about her period? Or educate your son on what happens to women during menstruation?

Once DS is old enough and shows a level of understanding, we (both DP and I) will explain what happens to him, and will also explain how he can be supportive to his friends if they mention anything to him.

Are continence or ‘leak’ issues something you feel like you can’t mention, or are there topics that you’d be too embarrassed to speak about outside of a doctors office?

I’m quite an open person, and have conversations with friends and colleagues about this kind of thing all of the time, especially with those who have had children and now experience the odd leak!

Do you find it difficult to talk about money with others, out of fear they’ll feel judged, or that they’ll judge you?

I’m quite open about money and savings. I don’t discuss my salary with anyone other than DP, however would assume most people would guess how much I earn as it’s a role with an average salary that can be found online on job adverts.

Perhaps there’s some people in your life you’d talk about anything with, regardless of how taboo the topic?

I have an incredible group of close knit colleagues and we literally discuss everything and anything, from politics through to online dating and I know I am very lucky to be able to do this. I also have a great group of friends who I have similar conversations with.

It's a subject that's very hard. Dd (14) hasn't started yet but in year 6 I gave her a set comprising of pads of various sizes and makes so she could test them for comfort and a discreet bag to keep in her school bag. All good. Younger sibling is 12 and has mentioned periods over the last few weeks. She's worried she hasn't started. She came home with stomach pain from school and said the staff asked her if it was her period, she looked totally blank. Genuinely didn't understand it could hurt. Then when I carefully spoke about it she was stunned, "is that why my friends say they have cramp?". In my defence she on the spectrum and some things just appear to go straight past her whatever anyone thinks she's learnt. Dreading her periods, she said no tampons as she won't stick them up here "booty hole", quite rightly 🤣. She knows her biology, she's had the talks, but something isn't clicking. It is, however, amazing she's managed to say this much, she doesn't normally so it must be bothering her a lot.

I remember the day untold my now 16 year son about periods, he must have been about 9 and he asked what those things were I'd bought (tampons) I just said girls and woman bleed every month when they go to the toilet, it's to help them prepare their bodies to have children later in life. It was a quick reply not too much detail, as he would be getting the school version images and all, it meant that hes never been worried about talking to me about anything, and it shows as we lately watched a gogglebox and naked attraction was on lol, he watched it not a care in the world no embarrassment in front of his mum, I'm proud of him a sensible young man

As a parent to a boy and girl I find my discussions with them indiviually differ. I go in to more detail with my dd about how women physically feel and what it is actually like to go through, whereas with my ds I try to get him to understand how to support any woman he is friends with/will be in a relationship with in the future, when it comes to female issues. No topic is skirted over. They ask me, I go into as much detail as possible!

I remember being mortified as a young girl when people spoke openly about periods. I can't account for it, but promised myself if I had any daughters I'd do my best not to make them feel it was a taboo subject. In the event I only had sons. I made sure the facts of periods weren't hidden from them by answering questions and keeping sanitary protection as easily available in my bathroom as toilet paper. Each child has absorbed the information differently, but at least they understand it's a normal part of life.

I've always left my sanitary supplies in the bathroom so my girls always saw the packets. They are far more open with me than I am with them to be honest, they don't see any subject as taboo, I think it's a generational thing.

My children, and now my grandchildren, have always followed me around when I go to the toilet for whatever reason, get ready for bed or up in the morning, have a shower, be waxed etc. so all sorts of bodily functions are seen as something quite normal to discuss in our family. Better to talk to children as a situation comes up rather than have to plan a time for a 'sit down and let's discuss the topic' type of conversation.