When my mother received her first period at 13, my grandmother delivered an unyielding slap across her face. She described this as a common reaction “back in the old country,” but assured me that she wouldn’t follow suit when my time arrived. Instead, she gifted me a copy of Our Bodies, Ourselves. At just 12 years old, I thumbed through the black-and-white images of the 1970s classic, trying to glean everything I could about menstruation. I don’t recall the text, but the visuals have remained seared in my memory.
As a progressive, coffee-loving, educated feminist, I’ve strived to embrace my body and its natural processes, especially after welcoming both my son and daughter into the world. I put considerable thought into how to foster a healthy dialogue about menstruation with my little girl.
Last year, we devised an experiment: every time my period arrived, my partner would take the kids to pick out candy for me.
Sure, I initiated the plan, but he readily agreed.
The idea was straightforward: we wanted to normalize a topic often considered taboo and transform it into a regular part of our family discussions. We aimed to create positive associations with it—candy as a reward!
Our Family Discussion
At dinner, we introduced the subject to my daughter and her eight-year-old brother, maintaining a casual demeanor, as if discussing an ordinary playdate.
Me: “Oh, I have some good news—I’m on my period.”
Partner: “Oh, that’s nice. Kids, let’s get Mommy some chocolate after dinner.”
Son: “What’s a period?”
Me: “It’s sort of like a nosebleed, but from a vagina. It doesn’t hurt.”
Son: “Blood comes out of your vagina?”
Me: “Exactly! It happens about once a month to adult women and teenagers.”
Son: “Oh. [Pause.] I want chocolate, too.”
Me: “No problem—I’ll share. Just make sure your dad picks out something nice.”
I felt optimistic about our progress. My daughter was engaged, my son was showing promise as a progressive thinker, and my partner managed to keep his composure at the table. However, subsequent discussions proved a bit awkward:
“Mommy, my nose is having a period!”
“I have candy because Mommy has blood on her vagina!”
“Mommy, can we have M&M’s for your period?”
If these remarks were confined to private spaces, they might be easier to manage.
Overall, the initial outcomes of this experiment have been encouraging. My children are not squeamish about discussions surrounding women’s health, my partner avoids euphemisms like “Aunt Flo,” and I receive plenty of candy. I’ll check back in when my daughter becomes a teenager. Until then, I’ll need a tactful way to explain why other women in her life—like her teacher, neighbors, or even the postal carrier—might decline an offer of “period chocolate.”
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out our post on cryobaby home intracervical insemination syringe kit combo. For more authoritative information on childbirth, visit this resource. Additionally, for insights into fertility treatments, Hopkins Medicine offers excellent resources.
In summary, while my family’s lighthearted approach to menstruation has led to some humorous exchanges, it has also opened the door to a more open dialogue about a natural process. My goal is to empower my daughter and normalize conversations around women’s health, while also navigating the complexities that come with it.