Time of the Month

Although a girl’s menstruation is one of the most common occurrences on earth, I mean it’s as old as man on earth, yet it is treated as taboo at certain parts of the world.

I was quite young myself, the first time I had my periods. My mom, unfortunately, had always been so protective of me that she kept me in a cocoon and never let me even guess the existence of the red signal till I started having my monthly flow! It was one hell of a dreadful experience for me, with me feeling like I had a disease and that I was going to die! So here’s my advice to all the mothers out there wondering when is the right time to have the ‘mother and daughter’ or if you are a single dad, a ‘father and daughter’ chat. Periods do not start in all girls at the same age; it usually starts between the age of 8 and 16. I had my first period when I was 10 years old and I am pretty sure all the mothers out there have their own experiences to add to the information I have provided so far. It is very important to have a friendly talk with your young daughter, I’d say around when they are 8, about what it is. You can start by telling you daughter that it is a ‘normal’ thing that practically all the girls on earth have to go through and that it does not come to ‘stay’, it goes away after a few days. Once the idea of period settles in, you might find it helpful to tell her the cons of having period. The dreaded pain in some girls and the cramps is a helpful warning that will save the little ones from panicking when, and if, they are among those with painful periods. Informing your girls about ‘hygiene’ factors is a good start but then, during the first few months or even years, the mothers are usually there to help and guide their off springs.

Although, as I have said earlier, it is one of the most common occurrences in life, it is still a subject that is quite delicate, and yet if you want to, you can make it a matter that is treated lightly and not feared. It is better to be well prepared as to how to handle the situation. There are numerous books out there that will guide, in this case, the parents (instead of the children…LOL) to handle the delicate matter of menstruation in the youngsters, especially if they are pre teens. Personally, I would suggest that you go and rent or buy the movie ‘The Return to the Blue Lagoon’ where I found the part where the mother explained the phenomenon of period to her daughter quite interesting.    

Although, as I have said earlier, it is one of the most common occurrences in life, it is still a subject that is quite delicate, and yet if you want to, you can make it a matter that is treated lightly and not feared. It is better to be well prepared as to how to handle the situation. There are numerous books out there that will guide, in this case, the parents (instead of the children…LOL) to handle the delicate matter of menstruation in the youngsters, especially if they are pre-teens. Personally, I would suggest that you go and rent or buy the movie ‘The Return to the Blue Lagoon’ where I found the part where the mother explained the phenomenon of period to her daughter quite interesting.