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On the day we were set to learn the genders of our twins, my excitement was palpable, and my partner felt the same. As the ultrasound wand moved gently across my belly, I could hardly contain my joy. The doctor announced, “Baby A is… a girl.”
He added more gel as he continued his search for Baby B. “Ah, here we go… Baby B is also a girl.”
With that, my partner exclaimed, “AH… two girls!” and my heart swelled with happiness. Two daughters: I was over the moon.
As we reached the elevator, still clutching our blurry sonogram photos, my partner remarked, “Two girls means two periods at the same time.” It struck me then; we were months away from welcoming our twins, and I was already feeling the weight of that reality. The thought of two girls experiencing menstruation simultaneously was a bit overwhelming!
My partner recalls her own conversation about periods as a rather daunting experience. As for me, I can’t even remember the discussions I had when I was going through puberty.
For girls, puberty can begin as early as age eight, with the hypothalamus triggering hormone release, leading to changes that can feel awkward and uncomfortable. Our daughters, about to turn six, are inching closer to that stage, and I must admit, I’m not fully prepared. However, I feel a bit more at ease after learning about the concept of a period box.
What is a Period Box?
A period box is an innovative idea put forth by writer and blogger Emily Rodriguez. On her blog, Emily suggests preparing a box for your daughter when she turns nine, although conversations about puberty can start much earlier. This personalized box can serve as a valuable tool to guide both mothers and daughters through this transition.
As Emily explains, creating a “first-period box” helps girls feel ready for their first menstruation (known as menarche) by familiarizing them with the products they will use, ultimately reducing anxiety. The box can also foster discussions about various sanitary options, enabling your daughter to make informed choices.
You can use any container, but there are some fantastic eco-friendly options available at The Period Store. Their site also provides ideas for the items you may want to include.
When it came time for our son’s puberty talk a few years back, we were caught off guard. One day, he came home from school saying, “My teacher said we all need to buy deodorant over the weekend.” Before we knew it, we were in the deodorant aisle, and it became clear that the conversation was long overdue.
With our son, we leaned heavily on books. One of the best we found was “It’s So Amazing: A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families.” This resource was incredibly helpful, and we will certainly consider using it for our daughters as well. While books can facilitate discussions, they don’t replace direct conversations. We allowed our son to lead the dialogue, which helped avoid any embarrassment.
As I embark on this new journey with my daughters, I look forward to creating a period box filled with items inspired by Emily’s suggestions. I plan to include sanitary pads, menstrual cups, tampons, pain relief options, a lavender heating pad, raspberry leaf tea, and of course, chocolate. I’ll also write a note encouraging them to come to me or their other mom whenever they have questions or concerns.
Think of your tween’s period box as a thoughtful gift that combines essential items with words of wisdom, comfort, and education. It’s crucial that they learn about these topics from you rather than their peers or, worse, having to navigate it alone.
For more insights on family planning and home insemination, check out this other blog post. Additionally, resources like Women’s Health provide excellent information on pregnancy that can be beneficial for parents.
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In summary, preparing a period box can be an effective way to ease into the discussions surrounding puberty with your daughters. By providing them with the necessary tools and fostering an open dialogue, you can help them navigate this important stage of their lives with confidence.