Your Teenage Daughter
Not a little girl anymore
By Cierna Ritts
It's best to start preparing your daughter for her menstrual cycle when she's little and begins asking those first uncomfortable questions. Make it a habit to meet them with direct answers from the beginning.
The Talk
Mothers will have the most opportunities to prepare their daughters for menstruation. If you suffer from PMS or cramping during your cycle, share this information. Making simple comments, statements, even mild complaints, will reinforce that menstruation is normal.
If you are a single father, there are still opportunities to help prepare your daughter for her period. Television commercials for feminine products are good conversation starters. Try not to betray any nervousness that your daughter may pick up on and interpret negatively.
Outside Resources
Take your daughter to the pediatrician for a yearly physical. Use this opportunity to discuss her development and find out what to expect as she continues to grow. Ask the doctor for literature she may have on menstruation.
There are also many books available on this subject. Her doctor may be able to recommend one. A good book will cover both physical and emotional aspects of her development.
Other Changes
Let her know that you are noticing changes before she actually gets a period. When she begins developing breasts, take her shopping for bras, and suggest she wear one daily.
Help her develop good grooming habits. Teach her how to shave her legs and underarms safely. If she isn't already, she should begin showering daily. Encourage her to use deodorant.
Your previously even-tempered daughter may become prone to emotional outbursts. She may cry easily. Or she may shriek, "I hate you!" Try to remain calm and recognize that hormones may be getting the better of her.
She should start carrying a purse before starting her period. This will be one less habit she'll need to adopt during an unsettling time. It's a good idea for her to carry a pad in her purse.
Teaching the Basics
Buy her feminine supplies and show her how to use them, provided she will be wearing feminine napkins. Though it's possible for her to use tampons from her very first period, most girls transition to those after adjusting to getting a period regularly. Let her know that there are medications to help her with any discomfort she may experience.
Reassure her that she will still be a virgin if she decides to use tampons. But it is important for her to read the safety information that comes in the package. Toxic Shock Syndrome is a serious and potentially deadly reaction linked to tampon use, and she must be aware of the symptoms to recognize them.
Throughout this wonderful, but sometimes scary, process reassure her that you are pleased with the young woman she is becoming. Pay attention to changes, like acne, and take steps to address any that can be treated. Tell her that what she is going through is normal. Taking these steps will ensure that your daughter is prepared for her menstrual cycle.