Her first period can be a scary and embarrassing experience for a girl, especially if she isn't ready or feels embarrassed to talk about it openly with her parents. If you want to make sure your beloved daughter sees her first period as a positive and natural part of her life, you can celebrate this important milestone. Celebrations can be simple or more festive. Make the celebration part of a conversation with your daughter about her coming of age that spans several years, and tailor it to her personality.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making a Menstrual Gift Box
Step 1. Make a gift box for the celebration
You can use an old basket or buy a small wooden box at an arts and crafts store. Choose a box size large enough to hold several gifts. Decorate the box in a way that reflects your daughter's personality and her favorite color.
You can choose a unique theme or something more elegant, depending on the personality of the princess. Maybe your beloved daughter is one of those people who treat her first period with jokes, or maybe she prefers to have unforgettable memories that bring tears to her eyes
Step 2. Prepare a kit that he can take to school
In addition to a gift box, your daughter may need something to store essential supplies for when she goes to school. The kit should be small enough to fit easily in his backpack (for example, a pencil case), but large enough to hold a few pads and other essentials.
Don't label the kit "menstrual" or buy anything red. You may find it nice or funny, but your beloved daughter may disagree
Step 3. Fill the box and kit with the required items
The purpose of making boxes and kits is to make your daughter feel ready for any situation related to menstruation. So, include items that are clearly needed. If it still fits, there's nothing wrong with adding other items that you think are appropriate for the special needs of your beloved daughter.
- Boxes and kits should contain sanitary pads, wet wipes or wipes, hand sanitizer gel, and cute spare underwear.
- Most young women in Indonesia are not familiar with tampons. If your daughter is a swimmer, tampons can be introduced.
- You can also include a booklet of tips on menstruation in the gift box. For example, you could write a note reminding your daughter to keep a spare sweater in her locker in case it leaks.
Step 4. Add some fun stuff to make her smile
Do not be too serious. This moment should be a celebration! Put some of your daughter's favorite chocolates or sweet treats in the gift box. Insert a card that says you love him and will always be there for him.
Choose a sentimental card if you want to create elegant memories. If you want to choose a more unique theme, choose a cheerful and cute card
Step 5. Add your own personal touch to a box or kit by making your own
While you can buy ready-made kits online for ideas, knowing that you made your own will give your beloved daughter a deeper meaning.
Step 6. Add the items you think he will need to the kit
After giving the gift, ask what he thinks. There may be certain items he wants to add to the kit to take to school. Take your daughter to the nearest drugstore to complete the kit together.
Method 2 of 3: Having a First Menstrual Party
Step 1. Ask your daughter what she would like to do to celebrate her first period
Before starting to make any plans, ask your daughter for permission, and offer several options so she can choose the one that works best for her. You must remember that the goal is to make your beloved daughter have positive feelings about her period. Do the party planning together.
If your daughter has a very different party idea to what you want, don't be upset. The party was for him and he had the right to arrange it according to his taste
Step 2. Have a party if your daughter has a outgoing and extroverted personality
Invite some friends over to stay with you and do something simple, but fun. Let the girls celebrate in their own way. Hosting a positive and supportive party can become a new tradition among your daughter and her close friends!
Step 3. Make it a private evening if your daughter is a quiet child
In some cases, young women may feel uncomfortable with the idea of celebrating their first period with friends (or, worse, with your friends). If that's the case, make the celebration just the two of you. Celebrations like this will mean more to some young women.
Step 4. Create a suitable menu to make your daughter feel better
There are many foods that can help your daughter cope with the symptoms that usually accompany her first period. Nuts, green vegetables, and foods rich in iron or potassium can be good choices to keep her healthy and happy during her menstrual period.
- Prepare several bowls of sunflower seeds and walnuts. Add a little honey to give it a little sweetness. Serve a generous portion of spinach lettuce and make banana bread for dessert.
- You can also ask your beloved daughter if there is any food she really wants. Chocolate brownies can be an option that is usually in great demand.
Step 5. Play with the menu if your daughter needs some humor
If your daughter's sense of humor fits her period-themed menu, make food and drink a little silly. Choose a red food, drink or dish that symbolizes fertility to celebrate your first period.
Examples of menus that can be chosen include egg tofu (with a large number of eggs), spaghetti with red sauce, and red velvet cupcakes. You can also serve red dragon fruit juice or even pink soda lemonade. If the weather is cold, choose a drink that can warm the body
Step 6. Arrange for a mutual massage to relieve menstrual pain
If you're planning a sleepover with several girls, they won't want to massage each other's tummies. However, massaging each other's shoulders and neck can relax muscle tension and in turn can help relieve menstrual pain.
If you are celebrating alone with your beloved daughter, you can discuss other ways to relieve this pain. You can teach him to gently rub his lower belly, or give him a heating pad
Method 3 of 3: Making Your Beloved Daughter Feel Comfortable
Step 1. Try not to cover the topic of puberty all at once, but manage it as it progresses over the years
You can start talking about your daughter's body as soon as she asks questions. Usually this happens once he can talk. Organize your daughter's age-appropriate conversation in stages as she progresses. Don't have a long conversation about menstruation all at once.
You can talk about body parts and their functions with very young children. As your daughter gets older, provide more details to make sure she understands the information you provide
Step 2. Prepare the right supplies
Most teenage girls get their first period around the age of 12 or 13. Some may get their period by age 9 or 10. Once your daughter enters that age range, start stocking up on the necessary items for her kit. That way, you don't have to panic and run to the pharmacy at night with your daughter crying in the back seat.
Step 3. Talk about menstruation as a positive experience
Don't call it a “curse”, or any other equally terrifying term. It is important for your daughter to understand that menstruation is a natural part of a woman's life as she grows up. Menstruation is a good sign that he is growing.
Tell your daughter that menstruation is nothing to be ashamed of. Explain that all women and young women experience it. In fact, human survival depends on menstruation because it is part of the process of becoming a mother
Step 4. Answer your daughter's questions directly and honestly
He may have many questions to ask. You may know the answers to some questions, but some don't. During the conversation, try to keep the atmosphere comfortable and open, and make sure your daughter knows that there are no bad questions.
- Common questions are, “Why haven't my other friends got their periods yet”, “Can I still swim”, “How long does my period last”, “Why did it happen”, or “Am I normal?”
- Tell me frankly if you don't know the answer to the question. Use this opportunity to look for good and trusted answers together. You can do an online search, look it up in a book, or call a doctor.
Step 5. Read a book or watch a video together
You can't just give out a book or video link and assume the task is done. He probably won't read or watch anything you give him so he's not prepared for anything. Explore together and make the moment part of a shared experience.
Some books that can be good references include What's Happening to My Body? by Lynda Madaras and My Body, My Self for Girls by the same author. You can buy these books in online stores
Step 6. Share your personal experience of getting your first period to boost her confidence
Your daughter may want to hear an embarrassing story that you have experienced in a similar situation. This can make him laugh and feel more comfortable. He may think this experience is very strange. So give him a chance to tell him what he needs from you.
Keep in mind that not all parents get their period and that's okay! If your daughter wants to talk to someone who's menstruating, help her talk to a friend, family member, or doctor. This way, you're still providing him with the support he needs and he knows it's coming from you
Tips
- Help your beloved daughter keep a diary to keep track of her menstrual cycle. This is a great way to get her used to planning her period and the notes can be useful information for doctors.
- Make sure your daughter is comfortable during her period. Make her feel confident to let you know when her first period comes.
- Before your first period comes, it is important that you have a private talk with your beloved daughter about the topic. It may feel awkward at first, but having an open conversation with you and being able to ask questions will make him feel safe and at ease. Try not to just give him a book about puberty and then let go.
- If your first menstrual experience was particularly uncomfortable, don't scare her by going into detail with your daughter. It's okay to let you know that some women have menstrual pain, but don't make it sound like it's bound to happen. Remember, everyone has a different body condition. His experience may be different from yours.
- Make sure you explain your period before your daughter has it. That way, he won't panic and have absolutely no idea what's going on.
