When Did You First Hear About Menstruation?
I first found out about periods at age 10 when my mom had to explain to me that I was OK with blood coming from my unmentionable area. I could tell she was a little unsettled too - I was only 10 (not even 10 and a half!) I don't know if she was truly sure if it was my period or a kidney thing since I had experienced many kidney issues in the previous 3 years.
Those wonderful elastic belts and monster pads with tails up to your belly button were introduced. And the words "you'll need to keep this on" resonated through my ears, this was a forever piece of apparel.
It was then I became an "X" on the family calendar
What Did Your Mother Tell You About Menstruation?
There wasn't a lot of telling...the wonderful Kotex booklet was brought out of the same box the elastic belt and monster size pad was in. I was left in my folks bedroom to read the booklet.
When I finished she said she would answer any questions. Let's see 10 years old, thinking I have some kidney disease, and what did you comprehend from this little book? You can't really ask questions about things you haven't really wrapped your head around at any age, but especially 10. And I had to give it back to her to save for my sister. No, rereads over time!
Never really got much information about any of those things! I do credit it to my advantage though. My mother and grandmother both had horrible experiences with their periods, my younger sister as well. I didn't get the negative info which I think made my reproductive experiences much easier.
I did ask her in my adults years why she had handled it the way she did, especially when she was more forthcoming with the little sister. She said I was the studious one that would research it all out and she didn't want to tell me something and then it not be true. She must have felt even as a mom of 3 who also experienced a miscarriage she still didn't understand her body well enough to share the facts of being a women with her daughter.
What I'd Do Differently
- Not leave my kid with a pamphlet~be there
- Start sharing with her and him early in life
- Open dialogue; even if I'm not informed, we'll find out together
- Don't compare me to you, or anyone else, you are unique in your own body
- If you don't feel comfortable with me, we'll find someone to talk with that you are comfortable with
- Dads should be included in this too.
