Member Since: July 29, 2010
Answers: 302
Last Update: March 19, 2011
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My daughter is 9 years old and just came to me about having her first period. We have never had "the talk" about periods or sex and I'm not really sure how to explain this to her, especially since she's my only child. I didn't expect to have to deal with this with her being so young still. I helped her clean up and quickly ran over how to put on a menstrual pad but I am clueless as to what I should tell her about what periods are. Obviously she's curious why this is happening all of a sudden. What should I say to her? How do I explain periods to my daughter? I told her that we would talk about this tomorrow but I have absolutely no idea what I should say. Thank you. (link)
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I know - girl's are starting so much earlier these days!
Sometime, just the two of you sit down and have a talk.
"There is a special place in a woman's body where babies live and grow before they are born. That place is called the uterus - sometimes people call it "the womb." You were once in my uterus. Every month, your body gets ready for a baby to grow there. The lining of the uterus gets thicker with blood cells to nourish the baby, but if there no baby that month, the thickened liner thins out, and all those extra cells are released and come pout through your vagina, and you have a "menstrual period", but most people justs say "period".
"This is all part of your body getting ready to be a woman, which is very exciting! Everybody starts at different times, I didn't get my first period until I was a teenager but some girls are younger than you and others will start later."
You will probably want to insert some info about other changes, breasts, body hair, body order, but you have to read your daughter. She may be in overload and you need to discuss things later on.
Make sure that you follow up with her in a few days giving her an opportunity to ask questions or just go over the information again.
Use correct terminology, but also let her know some common terms your family might use.
A discussion on how a baby gets there can wait, but will becoming soon.
Be as matter of fact as possible. Keep this light and happy - you are largely setting her initial attitude about womanhood and her body image.
You'll do great! Attitude and love matter far more than facts.
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Rating: 5
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Excellent advice. Thanks! The best advice, by far, I received from this question that I asked. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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