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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

tampax

15 replies

JuicyLucy10 · 22/05/2011 20:42

any suggestions as to how to teach your dd1 how to use tampax... she is asking how to use them... i'm a nurse so she thinks i have all the answers!

the problem is that we have gone over the mechanics of it but she is not sure of where it goes.!!!

Its really awkward!!!!!

OP posts:

amberleaf · 22/05/2011 20:44

Do you have hairy hands?

RuthChan · 22/05/2011 20:49

Has she actually started her periods yet?
If so, has she not noticed where the blood comes from?

AMumInScotland · 22/05/2011 20:54

Surely she can have a quick explore with a small mirror and a finger, and work it out? If she's old enough to need tampons, I'm surprised she has so little knowledge of the female anatomy.

Original poster

JuicyLucy10 · 22/05/2011 21:00

she is almost special needs - she is disgusted by 'blood' and despite being well prepared and one of the later people to start her periods she is very shy, well mannered and doesn't ask her friends anything.

I guess what i am asking is 'is it ok to tell her to explore herself?'

she's asking about tampons as she goes swimming quite regularly with her friends.

OP posts:

RuthChan · 22/05/2011 21:07

Yes, it is ok to tell her to explore herself.
Self knowledge is an important thing.
She needs to know her own body and now is probably an appropriate time to learn about it.
There is nothing corrupt or inappropriate in this, she will just be introducing herself to her own anatomy.

AMumInScotland · 22/05/2011 21:10

I think you should get her a book with a diagram, and suggest that she compares that with the reality - if she doesn't understand her own body, it doesn't help her in the longer term. That way she will know what it looks and feels like, and know the names for various bits, which will help when you try to explain about sex (or when school does if you feel unable to talk to her about this stuff)

catinthehat2 · 22/05/2011 21:18

well I for one am completely convinced

assuming there really is a daughter, and indeed a pack of tampax, the exploration needed is

open box
shove those fingers deep deep deeeeep inside until
she finds the instruction leaflet
follow instructions thereon

HTH

Original poster

JuicyLucy10 · 22/05/2011 21:40

thanks to amuminscotland - i shall do this. I could have jut taken the easy option and told her to get on with pads but she did ask so i feel she deserves an appropriate answer, Surely i can't be the first person to find this subject awkward.

catinthe hat2 - yes there really is a daughter.

OP posts:

amberleaf · 22/05/2011 23:04

Surely i can't be the first person to find this subject awkward.

Surely as a woman you should have a rough idea of the scuse the pun 'ins and outs' of the process?

slartybartfast · 22/05/2011 23:07

there is only one place a tampon will fit in surely.
it cannot go up the anus withou you knowing.
there are leaflets with clear instructions.

circular · 23/05/2011 08:56

I found it awkward, as DD wanted to 'watch me next time'.

She was 12.5 at the time, i told her to read the instruction leaflet and take it slowly. If there is any resistance or it hurts then stop.

I figured if she couldn't amange it by herself, then she is too young to be using them. She managed fine.

If it helps, she found the compaq type the easiest.

GetOrfMoiCase · 23/05/2011 09:16

There is no need to be awkward - the tampon companies provide very helpful leaflets in their starter packs, I suggest you buy one of those and let her experiment. She may be too young, my daughter was mortified at the idea at 12, however at 14 she just had a go and now uses them all the time.

lemonmousse · 23/05/2011 14:53

I am having a similar issue with DD (12). Bought 2 types of tampons (applicator and non-applicator) - read through the leaflet with her, explained everything but she is still reluctant to give it a go.

She did say she was 'scared she'd get it in the wrong hole' - I made a joke out of it saying there was only one hole big enough for it to go in and I was sure she'd know about it if she accidently tried to put it up her bum!

She (and I) were hoping she'd have the hang of them by the time we go on holiday as her period will more than likely land exactly when we're away and not being able to go in the pool would be awful for her. She is genuinely scared to try but I just try to keep encouraging her without making a big issue out of it. Not going until August so 2 more periods to try and persuade her.

smileANDwave2000 · 23/05/2011 18:19

as shes as you say SN almost maybe she should wait ? or just to reasure her show her a picture and say you will wait outside incase she has a problem give her a tub of vaseline that will make it much easier too and try and not be embarrassed and just think of it anatomically like you usually do at work as your a nurse and forget its your daughter if you can hth

figroll · 24/05/2011 10:49

My dd2 swims all the time and she had to use tampax from her first period - poor thing. I gave her a box and she fiddled about for about an hour and then hey presto - she had done it. I explained the best positions to get into and let her have a go. She was a bit older though as she didn't start until she was 14.5.

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