so my middle daughter, the more vocal one, came home today with her "PACK" that she was very excited about. She told everyone about it...me, her dad, her sister, her six-year-old brother. Unfortunately (for her) at 9 I think she's still years away from any kind of puberty - but she still decided that she had to try on the pad. Her 11-year-old sister, on the other hand, is as hairy as I am and probably weeks away from starting her period. Of course, with her attitude I thought she was going to start when she was five. I know that this is gross, but does anyone have advice on how to tell your daughter to insert a tampon other than 'keep trying?" I mean, I'm not going to have to get down there and do it for her am I? I had an endometrial ablation procedure a year ago and haven't had a period since (I highly recommend it) so it's not like I can really demonstrate each month until she starts.
Hairy mom lives in north central Phoenix with three hairy kids and a not-so-hairy husband. She works full time at work and at home.
You make me laugh! Our
You make me laugh! Our daughter is still too young for me to even think about it right now; however, my mom was very patient and kind with me. Of course, I was a LOT older because I was a super late bloomer (i.e., jr in high school!).
Okay, so here it goes...
She sat down with me, with the instructions, and simulated insertion in her hand (i.e., made a fist with one hand, pointed it downward, and then did the "plunge.") She talked to me about it and let me ask a million questions. Then, she waited for me, outside the bathroom, while I went in on my own.
I also remember that she was REALLY big about explaining the risks of TSS. I was almost 17 at the time, so the idea of getting sick/dying from wearing a tampon too long was enough to seriously freak me out. I am not sure that it would have had the same impact when I was 9.
And, oh, yes, they sell plastic applicator jr. sizes for little ladies. (Big emphasis on plastic for comfort. She just needs to know not to flushing.)
The pads they have on the market are so much thinner than they used to be and the "wings" help hold them in place. She can learn the responsibility of keeping herself clean and changing regularly before moving on to tampons. Even as old as I was, the idea of tampons was so foreign to me that I don't think I really began wearing them until I was an adult.
Good luck!
Mouse_tales is a discussion leader in the East Valley for arizonamoms.com. She is a business owner, community volunteer, and aspiring runner (whew!), who most enjoys her roles as wife & mom. Her children range in age from 4 to 13.
How I wish you were my mom!
How I wish you were my mom! At least you are interested in seeing that she understands it all.
My mom never breathed a word about it.
I remember being very nervous, locked up in a bathroom for an hour, reading the directions, re-reading, re-reading, etc. etc.
B/c my sister already had her period, the stuff was already in our bathroom.
I think I'd had my period for a year b4 my mom knew!
Love the earlier advice...and certainly, in addition to that, just sit down with her 1st, with the directions and a couple, and just talk about it. You can even be not in the bathroom b/c its just "a talk."
But anything is great! Feel good about yourself!
Happy2BMommy, is a stay-at-home mom who just turned 40 (argh!) with a 6 yr. old daughter and a 4 yr. old son, and is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Scottsdale.
Actually, I just realized
Actually, I just realized that I didn't mention it...we were, in fact, sitting in my room, when we had the talk. Good point!
Mouse_tales is a discussion leader in the East Valley for arizonamoms.com. She is a business owner, community volunteer, and aspiring runner (whew!), who most enjoys her roles as wife & mom. Her children range in age from 4 to 13.
My daughter just 'started' a
My daughter just 'started' a few months ago (she's 12) and when pool season arrived, she asked me to buy her some tampons and show her how to use them. I bought the smaller size ones, then we went over the instructions together and she asked a lot of questions before she headed into the bathroom to give them a try. She emerged after just a few minutes, and everything went fine.
I too am glad my daughter came to me for help and advice, even though it was a weird conversation! There are issues of cleanliness, health and hygeine (especially with tampons) that you don't want to leave to chance. I told her about being careful to change them regularly, if you have a 'misfire' or a problem with one --- just throw it out and try again with a fresh one, if it comes in contact with the toilet water (even if there is nothing in the toilet but water) throw that one out too, etc.
And yes, remind them not to try to 'flush' plastic applicators! You don't need the mess, and she doesn't need the embarrassment!
I have a son who just went
I have a son who just went to his "health class" and a step-daughter who's school doesn't offer it (or her mother said no to it) so I certainly understand where you are coming from and wondering how to approach this. I agree with the other post. I'm very verbal and open to talk about these things with all my kids so I plan on being fully armed and able to answer lots of questions. The only other thing I might suggest is a trip to the ob/gyn or planned parenthood being that they might be able to answer any questions or have another method of showing correct usage of a tampon. Just remember to remind your daughter to change every 4 or so hours. They can be at risk for TSS if they are using properly.
"It's not to late to become who you've always wanted to be..."
Oh I don't envy you ... and
Oh I don't envy you ... and can just imagine how this topic will go when it's time for me to go over it with my daughter. I remember my friend teaching me how to use them. I specifically remember us being in her bathroom and her showing me with her hands as the diagram ... lol ...
I got the question last week from my daughter (5 years old) "mom how did they get me out of your belly" I said they didn't and that not all babies are born through the belly". When I told her how the majority of babies are born she was shocked and said "eww gross" ..lol ..went much better than I anticipated ..lol ..
Oh my goodness ladies I have
Oh my goodness ladies I have four daughters! Their ages at this point are 9,7,5,4. I will have a lot of talks to do. I am probably do the talks one on one. My mother never gave me the talk, I learned from the school nurse.
Jennifer is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com and mommy to four beautiful girls who range from 9 to 4 years of age.
With 4 girls, by the time
With 4 girls, by the time you get to the youngest you will be an EXPERT on giving 'the talk!'
I remember telling my hubby that he had it easy giving 'the talk' to our 2 boys. After all, there's a certain 'ick factor' with the gents, but having to tell a wide-eyed, happy-go-luckly little girl about what was coming her way --- and what she'd be dealing with EVERY MONTH for the next several DECADES --- just seemed unfair!
Well growing up with sisters
Well growing up with sisters you know what starts to happen right? All the girls cycle at or around the same time. Joy in my house.
I am not afraid to admit that I am scared,very scared. Horrified!
Jennifer is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com and mommy to four beautiful girls who range from 9 to 4 years of age.
My mom also taught me on her
My mom also taught me on her hand, and then I went into the bathroom. Taught me to make sure to pay attention to the amount of time that they are kept "in there" so there is no risk for infection or TSS. I didn't have any pain, but I know that if they aren't inserted properly or all of the way they do hurt or feel uncomfortable so make sure when you explain about the applicator being inserted correctly so that there isn't any discomfort.
Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette
thanks ladies - I was a late
thanks ladies - I was a late bloomer too and HATED those cardboard tampons. Hopefully it won't be too awful, and still a ways off!
Hairy mom lives in north central Phoenix with three hairy kids and a not-so-hairy husband. She works full time at work and at home.