Let's talk taboo topics with Modibodi

[JustineBMumsnet]

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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

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I grew up in a family where no topic was taboo within the family while at the same time understanding and respecting that not all experiences were for public sharing. This meant nothing frightened me and I could talk to either parent about anything. It was great for me growing up and it is lovely seeing the next generation also flourishing in this atmosphere.

We are open to talk and discuss any subjects, as long as no swearing and no strong sexual contents. Both girls therefore came up to me when they started their periods. We openly discuss how to deal with it when it’s very heavy, etc even when dad is around!

We are quite open in our house and tend to discuss most things on a level that my young son will understand. I'm happy for him to ask questions and he already knows that women have periods and have to wear grown up version of 'nappies' sometimes! I think it's important to be open and not to be embarrassed about discussing taboo subjects so that your children can feel like they can ask you difficult questions.

My children are son 20 , daughter 19 and daughter 5 . I have always been open and honest with each of them since they were very young and thankfully my older children are now able to discuss any topics with me

I have no shame and don't get embarrassed talking about the uncomfortable stuff.

Birth Trauma.and fat shaming Not something you want to discuss with someone pregnant. But how horrific we get treated sometimes post birth. Our skin is broken and bleeding , we have wounds and scars, our stitches are sore Our nipples are painful and cracked , we are exhausted from creating this new life for nine months, having to give birth then no sleep for ages, we are hormonal or depressed and both tearful and fearful On top of this Men and sometimes women will perform our post birth check ups and tell us we should be losing weight.

Oh why didn't they have these when I was at school? I will definitely be investing in some for DD when her periods start. I don't need any at the moment because I am perimenopausal - haven't had a period for months which is fantastic! I love that the menopause is no longer a taboo subject and is openly discussed. When DM started her early menopause she thought she was dying because nobody ever discussed the symptoms and it was pre-internet.

We never hid anything from the kids, also because my periods were profuse and almost ailing, at times having heavy bouts of vomiting. So for two and at times three days I was out of "circulation". No treatment was enough to change that, so we all had to wait. Luckily my kids were extremely good and helped me with everything from a very young age. Therefore, there was very little to hide. I explained almost everything and there were always concern when that time of month was there.

I don't think anything is really taboo in our household as long as it's discussed in a proper manner and not coarsely. With the internet, the kids are going to find out whatever they want so would rather they broached it with us so we know what they are wanting to know and what they think they know already.

I'v always believed drugs education would be vital for the children as,however much you might deny it and the subject is taboo,they will,at some point,come into contact with them,including the legal ones,nicotine and alcohol.So,I educated my kids on the subject using my personal knowledge and that available from science and I'm pleased to say,it has worked.Drugs are a taboo subject but need to be openly discussed.

We are open for any discussion about anything in our house (although we tend not to when visitors are around). You name it we have talked and laughed about it.

Now our son who is nearly 18 always bursts out laughing when he is sat with us watching TV as nearly every time an advert will come on about periods, vaginal dryness or piles. Its good to have a sense of humour about these things, because unfortunately most of them will either happen to us or our loved ones during our lives and you have to be ready to accept the consequences of living within a breathing human body!!!

Now our son would just die of humiliation if everyone knew he turned round to me and said " now you getting older mum you might need some of that vagi stuff" and burst out laughing - but I think its great he has a sense of humour like me about these things and in the future he wont feel like he cant talk to a future partner about it. Also i think its great to talk as it helps everyone not feel that their body has to be bloody perfect!

If only it was so easy to talk about things outside the family, then the world would be a different place!

I don't have daughters- one son, and another due in a couple of months. I hope that I can be open with them about the biology, both male and female. I think it's just as important to educate our boys! And hopefully they will grow up to be less ignorant and embarrassed about perfectly normal, natural cycles. (And won't grow up to be That Bloke who refuses to pop out to the shops for sanitary supplies for their female partner!)

I must say though, I'm waaaaay more open about bodily stuff than I ever thought I could be. I guess having kids (and stitches, ouch) does that to you :D

My daughters and I talk about everything, which is so different from my Mum and I because we talked about nothing.

Growing up I didn't have a mum to speak to about my periods, so when they started they were even more of a shock and I had no one to turn to. Since giving birth to my children I have made it a mission to talk about embarassing issues, so they would be less embarassing for them. I have always mentioned things like I am in pain because... I am short tempered at the moment because..I'm washing my sheets because...I'm exercising to release endorphines to help with my PMS etc. No one should be embarassed by something so natural as a period

I think the more choice of products available the better for all ages. I have always tried to be open with my children, 2 boys 1 girl. I think they reach an age though when they find it all very embarrassing.
That is fine as long as they know you are there and happy to discuss things with them.
I have sisters so always had them to talk too.

It can be very difficult and I think with taboo topics it's important for each parent to do it their own way that they feel comfortable. I find there are lots of books out there tailored for children to understand complex subjects which works for me as it makes it easier for everyone

I have always been straight forward and nothing is off limits. We recently talked about sexual abuse by my telling everyone about a recent tv series 'Dark Money' which covers the matter and it made an easy discussion including what they would do if it happened to them or someone they knew.

I am going through an early menopause so they know about hot flushes, feeling tired etc and that hormones can make you feel differently to normal which then relates to puberty etc. I find children generally take everything in their stride if you do too

My Mother never talked to me about periods and the changes that happen to a women's body (like periods/hair etc) so I went through a very scary and uncomfortable time. So I make sure that my children are prepared for the changes in their bodies and look at it as a positive think. I also make sure that I buy the best and most discrete sanitary wear so it doesn't stop them from doing what they want when they want

I've been very open with my daughters about periods, sex, contraception etc as I want them to know the facts and to feel able to come and talk to me about anything. As the oldest two are close in age I talked to them together and they even tried a sanitary towel on to see how it works/feels. I would definitely be interested in buying them some period pants when the time comes for extra protection and comfort.

In terms of other taboo subjects my mum is gay so we've also talked about that and we've unfortunately known people who have committed suicide so have needed to talk to them about that as well.

My son has ADHD so almost every conversation is taboo, so we just talk frank and honestly

When I was young I found this very difficult to discuss with my mum as it was a taboo. With this in mind I made sure I was more open with my son and with my husbands help we have quite a good relationship where discussion, although not easy is frank and appropriate.

We are a very open family and it is important that all topics are discussed freely , especially topics that are traditionally out of bounds or taboo.

I used to find talking about death with people very hard but since losing my own mum I find I can talk confidently and in length about it with children and adults alike and actively encourage people to discuss their fears and feelings

My young DS asked me how he came to be in my tummy - I told him he started out as a very small 'seed' that grew. He now has images of his dad on his hands and knees in the woods looking through the mud for his seed to give to me to 'swallow'.

My daughter is only 3 but I intend to be as open as possible. My household growing up was quite conservative and I didn’t feel I could talk about some things, so I want that to be different