Preparing Your Daughter For Her First Period

At our last well-child visit, our pediatrician gave us the heads up to start preparing our daughter for her first period. “Already?! She’s only in elementary school!”, I thought. But he warned that elementary school is the time to get ready so they’re prepared, as girls are starting earlier than ever on average - and some girls start as early as 3rd or 4th grade. In order to help prepare her, we picked up a few items to start getting ready. | This post contains personal opinion as well as affiliate links |

Disclaimer: This post contains personal opinion based on our experiences - please discuss with your child’s pediatrician for the best advice as it pertains to them.

This will not be an in-depth post about how and when to get into details of all of this with your kids - that is up to you. Also, if your daughter is in public school Health Class is a great resource that covers a lot and explains it well in an age-appropriate manner. But if you’re looking for tips on how to introduce the topic at home and start to prepare your daughter, here are two things I would suggest:

The Care and Keeping of YOU, Volume 1 -this book is a great, age-appropriate way to start to introduce some of the topics of puberty and periods. It covers a lot of matters including personal hygiene, body growth, friends, nutrition, periods, etc. It’s a great way for your daughter to get some basic knowledge on the subjects and start a conversation with her. (Once she’s a little older, there is also The Care and Keeping of YOU, Volume 2 which goes a little more in-depth.)

Period Kit - Pick up a cute pouch with some tween-sized pads and stash in their backpack for school, just in case. We really like this Pinkie First Period Prep Pouch in particular because it has all-natural pads (this is important to avoid exposure to synthetic chemicals and reduce skin irritation) in a variety of sizes. Knowing they have this on hand helps them feel a little more in-control and prepared.

(There is also a newer version of the Pinkie My First Period Kit that comes with more supplies available here.)

And finally, make sure they know that there’s nothing to be embarrassed about and have a game plan of who they can ask for help when the time comes. Letting them know that they can come to you for help if they’re home, or to the nurse if they’re at school is a good idea. This is something that every woman goes through, and as scary as it can seem in the beginning we are all capable of handling it.

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Daylight Savings Time Miracle

You guys.  Our toddler stayed in her room until it was time to get up, despite the time change - something that hasn't happened in years.  It's a miracle!  
| This post was not sponsored but does contain my Amazon referral link |

A mom friend had recommended the Ready to Wake Clock to us when we moved our daughter to her big girl room and it's been amazing! She stays in her room now until it turns green in the morning and after "quiet rest time" (she's dropped nap, but still has a time in the afternoon to play quietly and look at books in her room).

And probably the biggest BONUS of all - we actually got to sleep in this morning and take advantage of the time change!  First time in like 3 years.  She just played quietly in her bed until the clock turned green and was none-the-wiser that she was there for an extra hour.  

Parenting win!  

Featured on A Hopeful Happenstance

Payton from A Hopeful Happenstance rounded up the 7 Top Tips for Surviving Month One with Baby Number One (including a tip from yours truly) over on her blog, and it's a post not to be missed!  

Anyone who's about to have their first baby should check out these tips and take them to heart, because it's definitely an amazing - and very trying - experience :)  

Credit: A Hopeful Happenstance

Featured by B. Gatsby Blogs

I was recently interviewed by Lori over at B. Gatsby Blogs to talk a little bit about Birch Landing Home and being a mamapreneur.  Check out her post here to see the full interview and while you're visiting her blog make sure to check out other interviews from fellow mom bosses!