? for Mom's of Teen Girls

[Momof2]

This could be our first trip that my DD's "friend" may come along and ruin it for her. How have you handled this? Obviously water parks would be out, but missing out on swimming at the hotel pools would be even worse. Any words of wisdom for us?

[Barb D]

If your daughter can learn to use tampons between now and then (how far off is your trip? How old is she?) she should be fine. There's no reason to miss out on water park or pool fun. Get her a little waterproof container that she can wear around her neck to carry extra supplies in. (Lots of people will have them; I carried my drivers license, credit card and a little cash in one.)

[Momof2]

Barb - She's only 11 and still getting used to dealing with it under "normal" circumstances. Maybe we'll get lucky with the timing, but she's still not very regular, so who knows! Thanks for the ideas.

[Momof2]

Funny how things have a way of working out sometimes. She just got it! The timing couldn't be any closer, but should be all done by the time we're ready for that first swim. Must be Disney magic at work allready!!!:D

[catwho]

Hi, I would second the tampon idea. My mother was great in starting me off using tampons when I first started my cycles. I was your dd's age at the time. Of course I got my first period the month before summer camp (is that a bummer or what? LOL!) I was mortified that I would have to "deal" with "all that" at camp. My mom got me the junior size tampons and panty liners and it really helped. I felt more confident and less self concious.

Maybe it is somethingt that she could use for just swimming and the water parks. Hopefully, though, things will work out so that it isn't a factor.

:earsgirl:

[Momof2]

Guess I'll have to give some serious thought to "tampon training" so we don't have to worry about this for future trips. She just seems so young. Thanks.

[mom42860]

Momof2, my daughter was 11&1/2 and I thought she was WAY too young for tampons. Unfortunately she missed a couple of events and had a Girl Scout trip coming up to Hershey Park. We counted out and sure enough it would fall then. I finally relented and informed her as best I could, (there is a great diagram in the box) and said if you can figure this out and are comfortable with this you can do it. She was fine and it has made the summer a lot more fun for her. We have neighbors with a pool and lhave 3 beaches here in town! Of course it is absolutely your decision, just thought I'd share my experience.

[Momof2]

Thanks for sharing Mom42860 - sounds like a good plan to me.

[Tamie]

My DD (12) just started getting her "friend" and this summer I explained how to use a tampon. She was nerve at first but after a couple times she was o.k. I explained how to use them and then let her make the decision about using them or not.

Just a silly question, but why do they call it a "friend"? I know I would rather not have a "friend" like that!:D

[Barb D]

Tamie, when I read the original post, my immediate reaction was, "So just don't let her bring her friend along if you think she'll ruin your vacation!" Then I realized who the "friend" was!

[dmslush]

American Girl's have a great book called, The care of your body and you. It is geared towards girl 9-12. It explains in it how to use tampons and such. And now you can get tampons that are as tiny as a pinkie finger. I am going to start my daughter out with a little bit of everything and a ton of information and let her decide what she is more comfortable with. I think our little girl's of today are just active to "fool with all of this mess";)

[lisapooh]

Does your DD have an older friend that could teach her the ins and outs of tampaon use. Our music minister's daughter's taught both my girls at church camp. Also there are slim tampons that will be more comfortable over the standard ones. For the longest time my daughters only used tampons for swimming. Now they are 23 and 19 they use them all the time and also keep pads on hand in case.

[eeyore and tigger too]

Just wanted to tell you my DD is 15 and has been usings OB's since she first started. It has never been a problem. They come two different ways with and without an applicator.


Good Luck and Have a Great Vacation!


P.S. My daughter did not have a choice in the beginning, she swims year round in three different swim leagues.

[Serena]

There are tiny tampons in both the major brands. Portables or something like that. When offered the choice between not swimmin and trying those, she went swimming. :)