A question for Mothers with daughters in puberty

[DNSDisney]

You know I just thought of something we all can add to our packing list for vacations. A box of slender tampons, just in case they decide to give it a try. The American girl book is the best one I have found. It's a little graphic but that is good in this case it shows just how to do it step by step. You know the starter kit I bought I haven't even looked to see if they were slender. I would think they would be but I think i will check.

 

[grinningghost]

My DD is almost 14 and refuses to try tampons. She's horrified at inserting them. I suppose someday she'll try them, but she's just not ready now. I didn't start using them until my early 20's myself, and even now I only use them for swimming, I'm still not over the toxic shock syndrome scare in the 80's.

 

[Serena]

Not entirely off topic here, but what American girl book are you talking about?

I think the instrucions wil be good enough, and it may take a few tries. Make sure if/when she tries, she doesn't have to go anywhere.

I went swimming every weekend all summer long when I was a teenager, I quickly got used to them. It was either try or not swim, Not an option. lol

My oldest didn't try until she wanted to swim on the swim team either.

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

My DD had her first period during the weeks they had swimming for PE, so "started out" with them. Since then, she went through a time where she exclusively used pads - but is now back to using tampons.

I think the instructions included in the boxes are excellent ... just let your DD know that she can ask if she has any questions about the instructions and that it may take a few tries to get it right ... that once she figures it out, it will be easy.

In your particular case, I think making them available (the smaller the better is great advice) is all you can do. When she's got enough motivation, she'll attempt it on her own.

p.s. We went through a similar thing with my son and contact lenses (both my DH and I wear them). He wanted them very badly at age 9, but got REAL frustrated trying to put them in (screaming, crying, etc). I just told him that it was HIS choice, even though we had purchased them he didn't have to wear them. Well he wanted to BAD ENOUGH that he just stuck with it and after a week had the technique down.

 

[DNSDisney]

The American Girl book is The care and keeping of you. It sells for $9.95 at the american girl site. It is a great book for girls. covers every subject from bad breath to periods.

 

[Serena]

thanks

 

[December99]

Do you think my dd, who is 13 and has had her period now for 3 years, will be too old for this book? I have other issues with her as far as taking care of herself and maybe this is what she needs.

 

[DNSDisney]

I think it would be great for a 13 yr old. It covers pimples, care of hair, skin, and alot of other things that come up during puberty.
I would say it would be for ages 8-15. (8 because girls seem to be starting earlier these days). And lets face it most middle school girls need every bit of help they can get with learning (and practicing) taking care of themselves. That is the only reason I look forward to her interest in boys growing. She might just brush her hair without being told to before going out of the house! lol

 

[December99]

Ah DNS....don't count on it!!!!

 

[Serena]

My 17yo was a total tomboy, her two best friends were boys and she didn't care what she wore or how her hair looked. Now, being clean was never a problem, and her hair was always long and she always brushed it in the morning, but other than that she didn't care.

When she hit puberty, she cut her hair and stated wanting to dress nice. Well, she hates that she cut her hair and now is a mix between being a tomboy and primping anywhere there's a mirror. lol

My youngest has always cared what she wears and how she looks. I'll never get her out of the house when puberty really hits.

 

[luvstiggertoo]

I've been struggling with this thought too.
My DD12 started last summer. She was very irregular then and it really wasn't a problem. She is now (like mom!) every 26-28 days like clockwork!
I've never pushed it...they've been in her bathroom, but she's only tried them once. She said they were very uncomfortable.

However, our first Disney cruise is on 5/18. She should start around 5/19!

 

[Jeafl]

Tampax sells a beginner kit with really good instructions. I think it comes with 8 slender tampons. My DD had no problems at all once she read the directions. I know they sell it at Kmart and Walmart, but they probably sell it elsewhere as well.

luvstiggertoo, it could be they were uncomfortable for your daughter because they weren't in far enough (hope I'm not getting too graphic here). Once you get to a cerain point she shouldn't feel them at all.

 

[luvstiggertoo]

Thanks for the thoughts jeafl...I hadn't thought of that.

I'll look for those beginner kits too.

Thanks Moms!!!

 

[mom42860]

DD was the same and refused to discuss it, she asked to try them last year when "it" came right in the middle of our WDW vacation, she was so disappointed in missing Typhoon Lagoon. I kept encouraging her with explanations and giving her the instructions from the box. Then one day a friend explained it and she grasped the whole idea (guess I was too technical or something lol) and that was all she needed. I agree with Jeafl, about the positioning- very important. Hope no one stumbles on this thread innocently they will learn more than they want!

 

[luvstiggertoo]

Originally posted by mom42860
Hope no one stumbles on this thread innocently they will learn more than they want!

No kidding, mom!!!
Maybe we ought to put a warning on the index page....GRAPHIC CONTENT, MAY BE UNSUITABLE FOR MEN!!!

 

[The Sweetness]

My dd is 11, and started getting her period at the holidays. I explained to her how to use a pad with wings and asked her if she wanted to discuss how to use tampons, as thats what I use(I feel so dirty wearing pads). She said no way and I dropped the subject. When I was @ 13 I started getting mine, and helped myself to a few of mom's tampons when I was about 16, and figured out using the instructions they came with how to use them. This was the least humiliating thing for me to do, and the most private. DD knows that she can ask me anything, as long as we dont have guests, she would rather stick with the pads for now. Just a few days a month anyway

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I started my period when I was 12 and didn't start using tampons until I was 14. My mom wanted me to, and I tried, but I just couldn't get the darned things in, and I was too embarrased to admit that to her.

My mom left an open box under the sink and one day I was determined to use them because of wanting to go swimming with my friends. I found a bottle of olive oil in the cabinet and what I ended up doing (I don't know of this is a good idea, but it worked) was putting a bit of oil on the tip of the applicator and I was able to get it in easily. I did this for awhile until I got the hang of the angle and how it was supposed to feel.

It can be hard for a girl to put them in because they get tense and nervous when they try, and their muscles aren't relaxed. Using the oil got me through that.

 

[FOJMO]

Originally posted by Dodie
Even though she's had her period for a year already, she's just SO YOUNG! (I know that this is happening younger and younger these days.)

My DD (17) started at 9!!!! Can't believe the same day she got it she was also playing with her Barbie dolls!

My DD started using tampons on her own, when she started buying her own sanitary supplies. She's very independent and never even questioned me about them. I think she only uses them occasionally.

I remember when I asked my mother about them, she said NO! I ended up taking one of hers one day and just trying it. I stopped when a friend of a friend of mine died from toxic shock syndrome, caused by leaving the tampon in too long! Never used them again.

And for 2 years now, I haven't had to use ANYTHING!!!!

 

[December99]

I was 9 also and let me tell you - I'M READY FOR MENOPAUSE!!!! And I'm only 34 but I've had them really bad since the day I started. And like FOJMO and some others - the thought of the Toxic Shock Syndrome made me not even want to try. So I never did - my cousin was borderline diagnosis at that time but it ended up not being that. But it was enough to scare the beegees out of me.

 

[jel0511]

I just want to thank everyone for posting on this subject. My DD is only 5, but sometimes it's not to early to learn about this kind of stuff. I found this very useful and hopefully I'm remember some of it!!!!