Your daughter’s first period-Help them be ready

Your daughter’s first period-Help them be ready

The first period of any girl should never be a shock for her. It is much important to make them ready for the day when their menstrual cycle would begin. The new puberty would be more anxious if your girl is not ready for it. It is observed that on average most girls see their first puberty at age 10. Unfortunately, some attend earlier, but it is not opted to talk about puberty before a child near 9 as the cognition wouldn’t have developed. If that is the case they can be informed and helped after they had attained puberty.

So, it is important to inform them about puberty before their 10th birthday. It is not wrong to talk about puberty to children, as they would face the menstrual cycle is till they reach menopause.

Here are few tips on how to make them ready to face the first menstrual cycle in their life.

1. Be clear when you talk

When you say half-truths the child would become more anxious. So, tell them clearly about the parts associated with the menstrual cycle. It is a must to talk about the flow of blood. It is a must to tell them that it can happen at any age after 9, and it does not mean that it must happen at 10.

2. Do not scare

It is a must to be conscious of what to say and what not to say. Do not talk about the adverse effect of the menstrual cycle while talking about it. The child should never have negative feelings associated with it before she faces it. Talk in an age-appropriate manner about the cycle. Pictures could be used to teach about her internal organs and process. The talk should be in a way that the period is just a natural biological process.

3. Never miss out on a talk on the monthly cycle

The child should also know that the duration of a menstrual cycle can last from 3 to 5 days. It is a must to inform the child that the next cycle would come within every 28 days for most, and it is also normal to have a cycle once in 32 days. Parents must say that it would be light in the beginning and as they grow period's duration and blood flow will increase.

4. Be ready to clear any doubts

Children would always have curious minds. So never ignore their questions. Sometimes questions will make them imagine worse. Be patient enough to answer all their doubts. Do not give false answers to any of their questions. Explain your best to their level of understanding.

5. Experts are also a solution

We as parents might feel difficult to talk about all the necessary things to make the girl ready to face. So, it is always fine to ask experts in the field if things get harder while explaining periods. Parents can consult psychologists, child counsellors, pediatricians and gynecologists to have an opinion.

6. Never say things beyond their comprehension

The child would not understand technical terms like premenstrual syndrome at age 10. The child can know that she would get pimples on her face and also pubic hairs, but nothing beyond that at age 10. The talk on breast and care can also happen after puberty. The words that are used to explain must be simple. Be short and simple on the usage of sentences. Parents know the best about the child’s level of comprehension. So, the talk must go according to it.

7. Tell about physical pains and mental health

The child must not fear physical pains. The child must know that the slight ache on the stomach is normal. some kids get headaches and pain in their legs. So, parents can tell that any physical pain must not be feared, but the child should report if the pain is unbearable. The child should also know that she would have irritable moods a few days before periods, during and also after periods. Make the child comfortable by saying that it is ok to feel angry or sad for no reason during those days. Teach the child a few calming techniques to deal with physical pains and mental health.

8. Listen to child’s concerns

The girl has to decide to whom the first period has to be shared. Do not share with friends and family if the girl isn’t happy about sharing with a large group of people. Do listen to what the girl wants to do as soon as she attains her first menstrual cycle. Do not force any rituals associated with the menstrual cycle if the child isn’t interested. Ask about all her concerns when you explain before she attains her puberty.

The child needs to know that menstruation is a natural process. The greater responsibility is on the mothers to break the taboos associated with a talk on a menstrual cycle.