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When you think about your first period, what words and emotions come to mind? Fear? Embarrassment? Shame?

These are common responses I hear from women when discussing the topic of menstruation. However, these are hardly the thoughts and feelings a loving mother wants to pass on to her daughter.

One of the best parts of my job is nurturing connections between mothers and daughters, supporting them to discuss an experience they share, but don’t always know how to talk about: becoming a woman.

Talking about puberty and menstruation needs to be more than practical advice provided by school and pointed out on the way to an activity or between household tasks .

Rather, this important rite of passage is something that needs to be celebrated and spoken about openly both before and after your daughter begins her menstrual cycle.

Here’s why it’s important to celebrate your daughter’s first period:

1. They make girls proud to reach this stage: A girl’s menarche (first menstruation) is a milestone that needs to be celebrated so that she, and generations to come, are proud of reaching it. Schools provide information for children, but it’s her parents, older family friends and the community who have a lasting influence on how a girl feels about her body.

2. They create a solid sense of self: Celebrating womanhood creates a sense of positive self-esteem in young girls and inspires a sense of independence. Such celebrations build a sense of self-worth that will be critical during adolescent years. Actually, they will be useful all through adult life!

3. They help remove stigma: Imagine a world where there is no embarrassment about having your period. Coming of Age Celebrations allow girls to feel excited and empowered about this significant milestone, instead of anxious or ashamed.

4. They create a ritual: Coming of Age Celebrations give young people a ritual to be anticipated that prepares them with practical knowledge as well as giving them a sense of pride; reassurance; self-acceptance; awareness of their needs and the courage to speak out about those needs.

5. They prepare your child: To celebrate the beginning of womanhood not only provides relief for girls, it also prepares them. Girls who are unprepared for or have a negative attitude towards menstruation often develop a negative approach to their body and menstrual cycle. A positive understanding and acceptance of menstruation is crucial for a young woman’s body image, relationships and future life choices outcomes..

For more information on how to discuss menstruation with your daughter, visit www.stepintowomanhood.com

Image of “teenager” from Shutterstock
  • I think it is something to discuss but I don’t think I would celebrate it

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  • yeah still not a topic I want to talk about

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  • Great advice from this article. Thank you for sharing about this topic.

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  • a great idea – for us it was just awkward and I wish it wasn’t that way and I had some of these tips back then

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  • this is really cute i believe it is important to empower women and for women to view thier bodies in a positive light, it all has to start somewhere!

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  • Interesting read, but I’m not 100% sold on the idea.

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  • This is really good advice!

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  • Thanks we are nearly there with one I think!

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  • I wish my mother had of prepared me, I didn’t know what it was as she never had any talk with me about it

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  • Such a hard time for so many girls – thank you

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  • It makes me think back to how this was handled when I was a teen. A hug from Mum and that was about the extent of it ,

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  • thank you for sharing your article

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  • In Chinese culture when you get your first period, a cooked chicken drumstick is given to you to eat, symbolising strength, fertility and womanhood!

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  • Will definitely be keeping this in mind for the future

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  • Thanks for sharing great advice to remember.

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  • thanks for sharing, was a good read

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  • its a big dhange in life and should be selebrated with mum and any sisters that understand,from a girl to a young woman,yes,I think its worth celebrating.,if it suits the girl,we are the same but everybody,s different.i was shamed at getting my period and didn’t understand much,but I find that young women are becoming proud of their bodies.

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  • Good way to think about it, make them feel proud!

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  • i think it be east to talk to my daughter about it, ill tell her young and prepare her for it. i got my period really early and freaked out i dont want my daughter to be freaked too,

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  • I totally agree with removing the stigma – it was such an awkward time for me when i was growing up and I would like it to be different for my daughter.

    Reply

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