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I have a 9 year old daughter and we have never approached the discussions around periods because I was on the mirena coil myself and didn't have any for 7 years. However, this year, she has started noticing panty liners + tampons dispensers in public areas (e.g. swimming pool + public toilets) and started asking what they're for.

How do you approach the subject as gently as possible?

Any advice welcome. Thanks.

oooohhhh this should be a good one for me too my daughter is almost 8 and asking questions i havent got a clue what to say either any advice welcome

id say be honest! otherwise u gonna have to explain later when they realise u been lying lol

at the moment there still youn just say ill tell u in a few yesars its just for changes in ur body then a couple of years explain everything

My daughter was asking questions why I had not gone swimming. I said I could not as I was bleeding and bless her heart she thought I was injured she has too seen pads and stuff in public loos ad asked what they were. But would not let it go!!!! So I just said that women have periods so that when they are older they can have a baby and it was nothing to worry about. She accepted that and has not asked again so far.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: musswells,

I'd say be honest too that way she won't get a shock or worry something is wrong when it happens. The average age for a girl to start is about 12 I think although I know a few girls when I was in school who started round your daughters age. My best friend in school was very upset & worried when she first started, she had not long turned 9yr old & had no idea what was going on. She didn't dare tell her mum because she thought she'd get into trouble, she didn't know what was going on as her mum was very shy & didn't ever approach the subject, not that you'd think to at that young age. She said her first period was awful, she was worried something was wrong & because her mum didn't know she she had started she had no sanitary towels & ended up hiding her dirty laundry in the bottom of the basket hoping her mum wouldn't ask questions. She never did have a conversation about it with her mum, she just bought her sanitary towels & said to use them next time, its ok. She did have a lot of complications mind you & ended up on the pill at 10yr old because of it.

I wouldn't sit down & have a full on conversation about it with her, I'd just drop it into conversation now & then or if she asks then answer her questions, don't push the subject to one side. Make sure she knows its ok, theres nothing to worry about or be ashamed about. I'd personally buy some sanitary towels & keep them in a private place at home where she knows they are so if/when she starts she knows theres some there & she doesn't have to be shy/embarrassed about asking for some.

I personally wouldn't go into the whole baby/hormone side of things at that young age. I'd let her know how long it would roughly last for, to expect some cramps & thats about it. I think anymore info would be a bit to much & would probably lead to further complicated questions!

Michelle x

to be honest my older children aged 7 9 and 10 have all been told the facts of life (they asked when i was pregnant with number 6) so periods were explained soon after. For me i explained it was when a womens body produces an egg each month and it doesnt get fertilized (meet the sperm) then it needs to come out of your body with the womb lining so your body can make a new egg. They know all about sanitary towels and tampons and they are happy with this explanation.


ps I believe that if a child is old enough to ask a question then you should be as truthful as you can be and judge how much information the individual child needs at the time. I do believe myself that if you are open about body functions and how the body works it doesnt tend to become the laughter factor that can happen if they find out about it when they are older.
julesrush