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My daughter, Liv, is 11. I still can’t believe it. She is going to middle school and I just can’t wrap my head around it!! She’s growing up fast. I’m both excited and sad that she’s so big. And the discussions we’re going to have to have… be still my momma heart!! But we must talk to our kids so they are prepared with changes and things that can or will happen. Here’s 1 of many talks we’ve had….

In Spring of 4th grade, her school did “the talk”. You know, the girl talk, of what’s going to happen every month when she hits… *gasp*… puberty! Period, people. I’m talking about the natural thing that happens….when you hit womanhood….
……Ok. It sucks. Any woman who gets it, knows it. It. Sucks.
But, I didn’t want her going into this with zero knowledge. So in the fall, before the school talk, I sat her down and explained things to her. In my head, yes, I was embarrassed and cringing. My mom didn’t really talk to me about it. No offense mom! But, you just didn’t talk about it.
I don’t want Liv to be embarrassed or clueless. I want her to know what’s happening to her body and why. I want her to be able to come to me or my husband with everything and anything. My husband is great with these things too. He explains things well and does not embarrass easily, even with…dun dun dun…period talk.
So, I gave her the basics, proper terminology of her “womanly parts”, explained, age appropriately (I hope! in my mind), why women get their periods and what to expect.

Anyway, I started explaining, and got to the part about how she would bleed….and my poor baby started to cry! You guys! I think I scared her! She heard blood and the emotions hit! Hard! In my head I’m like “No! I’ve scarred her for life!” But this momma stayed calm and I hugged her and she calmed down and we finished our discussion. She wasn’t too scared anymore, but also not too thrilled about this “awesome (not) milestone” she’s about to experience.
So, of course, in typical Liv fashion, she comes home from school for like a week after, “I didn’t get my period yet mom!”.
Oh child…..

So, glad she got over the initial shock of….

“THE TALK!”

If you’re in this phase with your daughter or a preteen in your life that you may have to help guide, my advice is to stay calm. Don’t let any embarrassment show, even if you’re feeling it. This shouldn’t be an embarrassing thing, but, unfortunately it is. Like we should hide it. Just go over the proper terms of the body parts. (Yes, I cringed telling my daughter…..*eek* … vagina. And that was also hard to type!) You can go into a brief explanation of why women get their periods without getting into the sex talk. But that talk will be right around the corner! *screams in horror*. (Middle school + bus ride with older kids= kids hearing things that scare parents!!)
Let her ask any questions she wants. Remind her, although it might seem scary, it’s a normal thing all women go through.
Discuss protection and let her help pick out the pads she wants to use. Go over what she should do if it happens at school or somewhere else. Be prepared.
What phase are you in? Do you have a girl on the verge of womanhood? Are you or were you able to discuss this or did you freak out? It’s Ok! I’m surprised I was able to do it! It’s tough and scary sometimes, the things we, as parents, have to discuss and teach. You got this!!
My daughter will go to middle school next school year, so what’s next…?? Yep, the sex talk. Stay tuned… let embarrassment and stuttering ensue… *Big, fat momma sigh*

Until next time….
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