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Preteens

Shall I give daughter sanitary protection just in case she starts and I'm not around?

22 replies

Madmog · 22/02/2013 10:03

Might sound like a silly question, but I'm just wondering whether to give my daughter a pack of Always/Bodyform just in case she starts when I'm not around - I have a couple of weekends away coming up in the next few months and also thinking about school. She's only 11 and I don't want to panic her, but think it might be a good idea in case she doesn't want to ask Dad or a teacher. I've just got a feeling she might start in the next six months.

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Primrose123 · 22/02/2013 10:05

Yes, I would. Show her how to use a towel as well, and how to wrap it and throw it away properly. :)

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myfirstkitchen · 22/02/2013 10:06

Yes it's a good idea. Me and my friends had them ready and we all compared the different packaging etc!

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MardyBraWouldDoEddieRedmayne · 22/02/2013 10:08

Yes. I know a school secretary who has had to deal with several Year 6 girls who started unexpectedly and who were quite distressed. I gave my DD a pretty bag with a few towels and some spare knickers when she was that age. Even though she started her first period at home, know she appreciated it.

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OddBoots · 22/02/2013 10:09

My 9yo dd has a vanity case of various towels, tampons, wipes and bags up in one of her bedroom cupboards, she knows they are there and what they are for and it hasn't scared her. I think by the shape of her she has a while to go yet (but I was early so wanted to be ready) but she seems to appreciate being given the control over using them when she needs to.

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Madmog · 22/02/2013 10:10

Thanks for your quick replies. I've already got a lovely little toiletry bag with a cat on (looks a bit like a pencil case) as I thought that would discreet for school.

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Theas18 · 22/02/2013 18:18

Yes yes yes! And tell her to carry it all the time, and it's ok to supply her mates if they are caught out (I'm sure they'll do the same for her). My eldest dd sorted our the youngest before anyone bothers to tell me she's started-and then it was a text from ds lol (they were on a course together)-mind you the youngest has helped the eldest out many times ass agree isn't so organised with her supplies!

My biggest tip for new starters is you are absolutely allowed to throw stained knickers away (wrap in a paper towel and pop in the hand towel bin if out).the embarrassment/worry our carrying knickers you think your mate might find/might smell etc is really not worth the ÂŁ1 a new pair of cheap knicks costs (buy large amounts of cheap black knickers for period time too.)

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basildonbond · 23/02/2013 09:50

V useful tips - thanks - dd is 10 and her shape hasn't changed at all so I think she'll be a while yet (I didn't start till I was 13) but good to be prepared

Just one question - where do you get cheap black knickers in child sizes? The underwear depts of M&S, John Lewis etc are a sea of white and pastels!

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seeker · 23/02/2013 09:53

Yes. I made my dd a kit with a couple of towels, some wipes and spare pants. And gave her permission to throw away the pants she was wearing if she needed to!

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seeker · 23/02/2013 09:53

Cross posted with Theas- sorry!

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Locketjuice · 23/02/2013 09:55

Wilkinson a used to d black child's underwear, don't know if they still do x

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5madthings · 23/02/2013 09:55

Yes do! I startrd when my mum was away and had to tell my dad who then.had to go buy stuff. Thankfully i have always been.very close to my dad and it was fine but he was a bit clueless about what to buy and came back with a mamath amout of supplies!

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PuddingWhine · 23/02/2013 09:57

Yes... right from when my dd was 9 and I bought her 'the book' i told her where they were, and that I'd always leave a supply in the bathroom. that way it's her choice to tell me immediately, or digest it on her own first before telling me.

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LadyWidmerpool · 23/02/2013 09:57

I wish my mum had! [represses memories]

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Chottie · 23/02/2013 09:58

Yes, it is a really good idea. I did this with my DD. Rule of thumb, periods usually start about 1 year after pubic hair arrives.

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PuddingWhine · 23/02/2013 09:58

yeah, same here. I'm not a perfect mother, so far from it, but there are certain things i just think how did my mum do it@? and i do it the opposite way.

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Aftereightsarenolongermine · 23/02/2013 10:01

Speaking as a mum whose dd started just after her 10th birthday provide her with everything. Been told by school that dd is only year 5 girl to have ever started :(

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Scootee · 23/02/2013 10:05

Yes you def. should.

I started at school, I knew about periods but did not have any pads etc. luckily a friend of mine who had not started had been given some as a precaution by her mum and she gave me those. Keep a couple in a few places and also keep a pack in her bedroom.

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Startail · 23/02/2013 10:13

I did with DD1, she had a pencil case with knickers, towels and a nappy sac.

We decide on a pencil case, as it looked totally innocent if it fell out her bag.

In the end she started on a school trip to Europe, so one days emergency supplies weren't enough. Fortunately she is very down to earth and the teachers were great.

I must find some bits for DD2 as she is changing shape before my eyes.

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Startail · 23/02/2013 10:16

Also I must check I have towels in the car and put some in my hand bag.

DD1 and I just share boxes of tampons, which won't help at all if DD2 starts.

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OddBoots · 23/02/2013 10:23

Oh bother, I've just thought that my (not started yet) dd is away wint Switzerland for 10 days with the scouts this summer. All the leaders are male but there is one female young leader and some female older scouts. Eep.

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showtunesgirl · 23/02/2013 10:37

A great idea. I started when I was almost 10 and conincidentally it was when my mum was overseas. Thank goodness for the lovely dinner lady and my older sister. My poor dad was rather overwhelmed by it all though!

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Theas18 · 25/02/2013 20:53

Cheap black knickers - size 8 multipack from sainsburys here.

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