On the day we were set to discover the sex of our twins, my partner and I were over the moon. As the ultrasound technician moved the wand across my partner’s belly, excitement bubbled up inside us. The technician took a breath and said, “Baby A is… a girl.”
With that news, my heart soared. As the technician continued searching for Baby B, I could hardly contain my joy.
“Baby B is also a girl,” the technician announced.
My partner’s eyes lit up as she exclaimed, “AH… two girls!” I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. But then reality sank in: two girls, two menstrual cycles at the same time. Yikes!
Reflecting on our own childhoods, my partner recalled her own awkward period talk, which was more frightening than informative. As for me, I barely remember any discussion surrounding my own puberty.
Puberty for girls can start as early as 8 years old, marking a significant transition that can be uncomfortable for everyone involved. With our daughters nearing six, the thought of handling this topic is daunting—until I learned about the idea of a period box.
So, what exactly is a period box?
A period box is a fantastic resource suggested by writer and blogger Emma Lane. On her blog, she recommends creating a personalized box for your daughter around the age of 9, though discussions about puberty can begin even earlier. This box can serve as a helpful guide through the changes they will experience, easing both their and your anxieties about the topic.
According to Emma, assembling a “first-period box” before your daughter begins menstruating can help her feel more prepared. It demystifies the products she’ll eventually use and allows for discussions about various sanitary options, empowering her to make informed choices. You can find eco-friendly options at The Period Store, which also offers ideas for what to include in the box.
Our experience with our son’s puberty talk took us by surprise. One day he came home from school and informed us, “My teacher said we all need to buy deodorant this weekend.” Before we knew it, we were in the store, navigating the deodorant aisle. This moment made it clear that it was time for that important conversation.
With our son, we leaned heavily on books, particularly “It’s So Amazing: A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families.” We found it helpful and plan to use it again with our daughters. While books can facilitate discussions, they don’t replace them. We encouraged our son to guide the conversation, letting him bring up topics that interested him.
As I prepare for this new journey with my daughters, I’m excited about creating a period box. My box will include items based on Emma’s recommendations: sanitary pads, menstrual cups, tampons, pain relief, teas, and even chocolate. I’ll also include a heartfelt note inviting them to talk to me or their other parent whenever they need.
Think of the period box as a thoughtful gift, filled not just with essentials but also with words of wisdom and comfort. It’s crucial for your daughter to learn about these changes from you rather than peers or, even worse, navigating them alone. For more on this topic, check out this blog post.
In conclusion, period boxes can be a wonderful way to start open conversations about puberty with your children, helping to ease their worries and prepare them for the changes ahead.