How do you deal with your daughter's first period? Too often the stigma that comes with menstruation has been passed on from generation to generation. As a parent or guardian, you have the power to end the stigma that comes with menstruation and this has to do with how you shape the narrative on menstruation from the very beginning. Menstruation is a very important stage of the woman’s experience and how it is approached from the beginning is a huge determining factor to the perspective she will carry. There is no need for the topic of menstruation to be an uncomfortable subject for caregivers and their daughters- it is a perfectly natural process.
This article seeks to give you some tips on how to approach the first period and is an opportunity for you to reshape how future generations of women approach menstruation in your little way. Girls can get their period as early as the age of 8 and in as much as this could be worrisome and unplanned, it is the beginning of your daughter’s journey to womanhood. Here are some pointers on handling this first period:
Your first reaction: as a parent is very important in shaping how your daughter will handle this new experience. When you first hear the news it is very important to remain calm even though you might be freaking out inside. Remember this is something she will always remember. Explain to your daughter how her body is changing and give her some assurance that she should be proud of her period and be open to ask you any questions she has. This will empower her as an adolescent girl and boost her confidence.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_85d5ea98b7e947b6a43730be01c316df~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1470,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/nsplsh_85d5ea98b7e947b6a43730be01c316df~mv2.jpg)
Make this first experience fun for your daughter. In as much as menstruation can be an uncomfortable subject to speak about it is encouraged to explore and experiment to keep things light and educational. Experiment with sanitary wear together from pads to period panties. Showing her different types of pads and different types of undies and allow your child to have a choice. Allowing her to make an autonomous choice, instills confidence in her.
Sharing your experience: to make your child feel more comfortable and be at ease about this journey, tell her about your own experience. Sharing your own experience, on when your cycle started creates bonding between the two of you and it also normalises menstruation. For example, if you experienced a heavy of light flow, how many days your period was, how you felt about it and who did you tell. In as much as you are sharing your experience, it is a great way of educating your daughter without instructing her or making her feel ashamed as she will learn that she is not alone and everyone’s experience is different.
Create room for questions: Allow your child to ask questions concerning menstruation. This will give her a better understanding about periods and it makes the journey much smoother for her. Moreover, remember that how you answer these questions shapes your daughter’s perception.
Above all, it's important to remember to have open communication with your daughter. Over time, parents or guardians can set these conversations in motion so that when a girl is maturing into puberty, she is already more than comfortable sharing her feelings. Every girl has a unique menstrual cycle and her perceptions of menstruation are shaped from the onset of how you address the first period.
We have the power to improve period knowledge and create positive experiences of menstruation for generations to come.
By Ratidzo Makombe and Sharon Ziki
Comments