di has been curious about me getting sick every 2 days in a month and it was easy to manage when we were living alone. But when we moved to a bigger family we also had to follow some cultural rules set by my mom of not cooking etc on those two days. Adi was full of questions about me not being able to cook etc. I was confused as to how do I explain all this to him.

Kids need reliable information when it comes to periods. They should be able to understand the basics of periods. When a child questions periods, we should not shy away. Mostly personal subjects like menstruation are not discussed much.

Talking about periods with your kids  also means discussing how to manage periods in a healthy manner.

Girls need to know when they get a period, what happens on the days of periods , the varying symptoms, and how to manage them.

I chose a friendly approach and instead of too many details, I asked if he knows why women don't cook these two days. I started by asking him if he already knew anything and he said that he has read Adam Kay's book about the uterus and it must be related to babies. I was glad that he already had some knowledge about it.

Actually, at first, I was not sure about using terminologies like ovaries, uterus, etc, but I thought of giving it a try. So I asked him if he knew what ovaries and he said he knew about them as he had learned these in the plant reproduction chapter of his science class.

Here are some things to keep in mind while talking to kids about periods

• I started by telling him that girls have ovaries and a uterus which is a big part of their body.
• I explained to him that every 28 days (or sometimes more or less than that depending on each woman) the uterus starts to get rid of old blood and tissue, it's like a clean-up process and this is why we don't feel well during those days.
• Since it causes us pain, we can't do a lot of things and this is why women have to take rest during that time.
• Then I went on to talk about how menstruation isn't seen as something bad or wrong, but rather it's our bodies natural way of functioning.
• I also took this opportunity to tell him about PMS, which is the symptom that most women experience before and during their period. I explained how PMS can make us feel moody, irritable, or tired.
• I told him that how much women bleed differs from woman to woman, some women only have light spotting and others might have heavy bleeding.
• Adi was amazed to know this all and he asked me if there is anything that can be done to help us feel better during those days. I explained to him the importance of eating healthy food, exercising regularly, reducing stress, and getting enough rest. I also explained to him how the use of menstrual cups and tampons can make it easier for women to manage their periods.
• I also mentioned that not all women are the same and just like everyone has a different height and weight, each woman's menstrual cycle might be a bit different from the other.
• I also went over some pages of Adam Kay's book with him to explain it better. of course the book covers it in quite a detail and we can choose much in detail we would like to go into.
• By the end of our conversation, Adi understood and appreciated why women need rest during their periods and he promised to help me whenever I need it. I was relieved that we had such a good talk about menstruation and that now Adi understands how important this process is for women.
• He asked me why we don't talk much about it in the house and I explained to him that many Indian cultures keep menstruation private and women don't talk much about it. I also said that the more we read, explore, and know about it, the better understanding we will have of our bodies and how they work. I told him that it's good to be educated about something that happens to half the population and he agreed wholeheartedly.

Do's and Don'ts to prepare your child better or tips to talk to your child about periods

-DO:

-Make sure to keep the conversation positive and encouraging.

-Explain in simple terms and avoid too much detail.

-Be open-minded and answer their questions honestly.

-DON'T:

-Avoid using judgemental language or negative terminology around menstruation.

-Don't use euphemisms to refer to the process.

-Do not make them feel embarrassed or uncomfortable by pushing too much information on them.

-Don't dodge questions and make sure to be open and honest about it.

Finally, I also gave him a few do's and don'ts when it comes to talking about menstruation with me or any other woman.

Do’s:

-Show empathy and understanding

-Listen and ask questions

-Read books together

Don'ts:

-Don't make fun of the topic

-Don't make jokes or pass comments that may hurt someone's feelings

-Don't judge or criticize anyone for their menstrual cycle, body type, etc.

-In some cultures, women do not want to talk about it and so respect that too.

I knew my son was going to be a great ally when it comes to talking about menstruation and I'm thankful that I had this conversation with him.

Adi seemed to understand it all well and he was quite excited about learning something new. After talking to Adi, I was glad that I had managed to explain it in an age-appropriate manner without any taboos or shame attached. This was a great moment for us to bond over something that is so natural and important.

It was also a great way of teaching Adi about respect and acceptance towards women, their bodies, and the natural process of menstruation.

I hope that this conversation will help him have a better understanding of the menstrual cycle and how to show respect towards women during their time of the month.

By having these conversations, I am sure that Adi will grow up to be an informed and responsible adult who understands the importance of being considerate about menstruation.

Is there a right age to talk to kids about periods?

There is no one right age to talk to kids about periods, as every child develops at their own pace. However, it is important that parents start the conversation early on so that children can feel comfortable discussing this topic.

• It might happen that a kid sees a tampon and asks about it, or know about menstrual cramps. Some children start developing an understanding of puberty by the age of 8-9.
• Your child might know about periods from their friends at school or from other sources.
• Some parents want to wait till the girl gets her period, they make it a big talk at a particular age or right before her very first period
• Some parents prefer to discuss with kids when they are between 10-15 years old
• If you are not comfortable talking with your kid, you can take an experts help
• The level of your discussion might depend on your child's age
• Some kids feel very curious and ask questions about periods before they are 6 or 7 years old
• Personal subjects like periods need to be discussed
• When a child knows about periods talking to your kids won't be so difficult
  

Kids need to understand their bodies, parents can discuss this depending on the child's age and level.

When talking to your daughter about periods

First Step: Start the conversation

• Make sure to provide all the necessary information without any taboos or shame attached.
• Always be open and honest, respect her privacy, and show empathy toward her feelings.
• Educate her well and make sure that she has a good understanding of how her body works.
• Encourage her to ask questions, read books, and seek further information about it.
• Let her know that you are available and comfortable to talk about this topic anytime she needs it.

With these tips in mind, you can help your daughter understand why periods are a natural and important part of life for every woman.

Second Step: Talk about when girls get their first period

Step 1: When a girl starts her period

• Explain that girls usually start getting their period around the age of 12 or 13, but it can vary from person to person.  
• Explain that everyone's experience with their first period is different and there is no right or wrong way to feel about it.

Step 3: What changes happen

• What changes happen to their bodies, girls need to understand their bodies
• first few days take time to settle
• emotional and physical symptoms
• every body has its own schedule -how many girls' periods still do not come regularly
• healthy choices she should make
• even if periods do not come regularly it's fine but if it still does not come every, it's important to contact your doctor

Step 2: Discuss how she can get help

• Let them know that you are available if they want to talk about how they're feeling.
• Help them understand the different menstrual hygiene products they can use and how to use them correctly.
• Educate her about warning signs of problems, such as heavy bleeding or cramps that last more than a few days.
• Reassure them that periods are a normal part of life for women and there is nothing to be embarrassed about.
• Share stories from your childhood
• By having these conversations early on, you can help her feel more comfortable with the changes that come with puberty.
• They should know that they reach out to trusted family member

Talk to your child about Organic Period supplies

• Explain the benefits of using organic period supplies.
• Organic period supplies are made with natural and biodegradable ingredients, making them a more sustainable option for managing periods.
• Share why it is important to use products that are free from toxic chemicals. For example, some conventional menstrual hygiene products contain additives such as dioxin, synthetic fragrances, and chlorine bleach.
• Explain the different organic period supplies available on the market and how to select the right one for her needs.
• Reassure them that these products are just as effective as conventional ones but more eco-friendly.
• By doing research and making informed choices, she can feel confident about her menstrual hygiene routine and make an environmentally conscious decision.

Tips for talking to very young kids about periods

Start young and make sure to keep the conversation simple.

• Explain why girls and women have periods in a non-judgmental way.
• Avoid using too many details or complex terminology.
• Encourage questions but do not push too much information on them.
• Be supportive and understanding if they have any worries or concerns.
• Reassure them that periods are normal and natural.
• Let them know that talking about this is nothing to be embarrassed about.

By starting young, you can help the kids have a better understanding of the menstrual cycle and why it's an important part of life for women.

Some stigmas people might have about menstruation:

Start the conversation early

• Periods are something to be ashamed of.
• Periods make women weak and unable to do certain activities or tasks.
• Women should hide the fact that they are on their period.
• Menstrual cycles and PMS can cause irrational behavior in women.
• Women cannot engage in physical activities when menstruating.
• Periods are dirty and disgusting.  
  

It's important to dispel these stigmas in order to create a culture of respect and understanding around the topic of periods. Make sure to teach kids that periods are natural, normal, and nothing to be ashamed of.

How to explain puberty to kids?

• Explain puberty in a simple and age-appropriate way.
• Explain that during puberty, bodies change as they grow into adulthood. Use correct terminology but avoid too many details. Be open and honest so that children can feel comfortable asking questions. Let them know that these changes are normal and natural and are nothing to be embarrassed about.
• Take help from books, videos, and other resources to explain the changes that happen during puberty.
• Children have the habit of exploring the world and learning about things.
• Be sure to provide them with all the necessary information so that they have a better understanding of the process.
• Make sure to create a safe space for your child so that they can feel comfortable talking about these changes without feeling embarrassed or ashamed. This will help make sure that they grow up to be informed and responsible adults.
  

Periods shouldn't scare kids,

Talking to kids about periods menstruation / puberty / period supplies / period talk should be a norm in society.