DD is seeing "the movie" at school today

[Lisa L from MI]

Yes...it is that time. She is in the 5th grade and today is "the movie". This is my first daughter and I am actually pretty nervous. I don't think I am quite prepared to answer her questions if she has any. My mom never talked to me at all about stuff. In fact, when I got pregnant with my first, I was so nervous to tell my mom (I was 27 and married for 2 years)...because then "she would know"!!

I think I should get that book that I have read about on the boards...what is the name of it again???

Thanks
Lisa

 

[Hillbeans]

Ugh...hope they've updated it from the 1970's one I saw when I was in 5th grade.

Good luck. Sounds like you're a great mom, so i'm sure you'll be able (and willing) to answer her questions.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by Hillbeans
Ugh...hope they've updated it from the 1970's one I saw when I was in 5th grade.

LOL!!!

I know - it probably is "The movie" we all saw back then!!!

 

[kasar]

My 5th grader saw it yesterday! I previewed it a couple of nights ago during parent's night - it's totally fine. In fact, it's a little goofy.

The name of the book is "The Care and Keeping of You". It's an American Girl book. It's pretty comprehensive - goes into detail - but it's not too much. We've already had "the talk" so my DD wasn't surprised by much. She loves the little "kit" that they got, LOL. I can remember being so embarassed, she couldn't wait to put it in her backpack. I love girls these days, they are so open and self-accepting. It's awesome.

 

[tkyes]

You'll be fine Lisa!

I hated the way my mom gave me "the talk" and have vowed to be more open and comfortable about the topic with my kids someday. Don't let her think she has any reason to be nervous about talking to you.

If she asks a question and you are shocked that she knows the words or terms, don't show it!

My mom went the route of saying "do you know what a (fill in the blank) is?" If I said "yes", I got a gasp out of her, which meant that I said "no" for everything after that. It was horrible.


Good luck!!


tamie

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Hillbeans....thanks!! I hope its not the same either

kasar...thanks for the name of the book. What type of "kit" did they get??...I don't remember getting one??

 

[tkd lisa]

There is also a companion journal that goes with "The Care and Keeping of You", called "The care and keeping of me". Some of the websites sell them as a set. They are really great books.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Tamie...sounds just like my mom....those "things" were just totally forbidden....I always said I wanted to be totally different with my kids...but now, as the time is here.....it's a little scary!!!

tkd....that journal seems cool...my DD loves writing in journals...I will definitely check those out!!

thanks again!!
Lisa

 

[kasar]

The kit had two wrapped pads and a small deoderant, I think it may have had some little pamphlets, too.

She's proudly carrying around the pads even though she's a long way from using them (hopefully). I remember getting a similar kit in 5th grade but ours had the "belt" thing (remember that?)! I would have never carried mine around for fear of someone seeing it. But we didn't have backpacks with tons of compartments back then.

Her only worry was next year in middle school there are some male teachers and how that should be handled.

 

[Nancy]

In our school district it is a night time event that Mom or dad (or both) bring the kids to. They have one night for girls and one night for the boys. After the movie they have pediatricians there and hold a question and answer forum. Some of the questions were pretty outrageous...it is so interesting to realize what kids are actually thinking about the whole process.

My 3 girls have always talked very openly with me about this. DD #1 went to the movie and commented that it answered some questions she had but didn't ask me. DD#2 did not want to go..she is so embarrassed by the whole thing (we can't even say the word **** in front of her or she gets all red)

DD#3 has her movie coming up in a few weeks, she is not sure if she wants to go or not.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

I think it was 1977 when I was in the 5th grade and I really don't remember getting a kit and definitely don't remember the belt thing. I do remember the movie and all the girls in this one room and they put paper up on the window on the door because all the boys were trying to look in the room

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Nancy, they had a parent preview night a month ago but I didn't go Can't remember why though.

My kids are pretty open about those kind of things...sometimes too open...especially my younger one.

I can't figure out what "word" you're talking about!!!LOL!!!

 

[Nancy]

I can't believe that they **** that word it starts with a b and ends with a b and can be a really stupid person or a term for part of the female body.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Nancy.....ok!! I can't believe that was beeped out too??

My kids have not problem with some words...sometimes I really gotta watch what they say....especially my youngest Madison(8). I remember when she was only about 3-4 and we talked about what she would do if someone tried to take her (a stranger) and she came right out and said "I would just kick him in the "blank"".....I had to explain to her, and had the hardest time doing it that it was not a nice thing to say. She thought it was hilarious for the longest time. My mom would have been mortified if she heard her say that!!!!

 

[crz4mm2]

Girls are great aren't they?
I remember when mine had the movie and got the 'kit'. She came home with all the goodies and showed me first. When DH got home she came out carrying her pads and said 'look what we got today'. he was mortified! LOL. I thought it was one of the funniest moments I have ever had.
I try and talk about everything with my DD. I know I probably embarrass her alot of the time, but my mom never talked to us about anything and I was always afraid to talk to her. I don't want my DD to feel like that.

We had the OLD movie too. On the stage in the gym, with the curtains pulled tight. Oh what memories. THe boys were playing basketball- supposed to be at the other end of the gym, but kept throwing the ball down so they could run down to retrieve it and hope to get a peek! LOL. Wow. Can't believe how many years ago that was!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

My Mom has always been very open with my Sister and I. I remember one time when I had a friend over, my parents went out for dinner. We were watching Mtv and when they came home I asked them what an "O" was. My Mom turned and looked at my Dad and said "Aren't you glad I walked in the door first?" Then she told me to look it up in the Dictionary and if I had any questions to ask her.

My friend was so shocked that I asked my Mom. We were in 4th or 5th grade I think.

 

[Disneylvr]

I remember seeing the 1970's movie! I was in the 5th grade in 1977 I believe. My mom had "The Talk" with me before the movie so I knew what it was all about. This one girl in our class announced that the big secret movie was about "Punctuation." She said her mom told her it was about periods!

 

[Danauk]

Although I don't have kids of my own I teach the equivalent of your 5th grade in England so have to sit in on 'the movie' (actually we do 2, firstly one for just the girls, then 'the other' movie that the boys watch too) plus I get to do the question and answer session after. I don't mind though as it shows how much the kids feel they can talk to you about things. Jenn Lynn my kids ask me that question too!! My mum never gave me 'the talk' either. Fortunately I was quite close to one of my female high school teachers who told me everything I needed to know. I guess thats why I don't mind the kids asking me, kind of pay back I guess but in a good way.

 

[olena]

Molly grows up (1953) I think you can download it.

http://www.archive.org/movies/details-db.php?collection=prelinger&collectionid=00700


Did you know that Disney made one of these films?

http://www.snopes.com/disney/films/menses.htm

http://www.mum.org/disney.htm


The one I saw was Growing Up On Broadway It was made in 1984 and I saw it in '85. Even for being brand new, it seemed goofy and 70's-ish.

 

[buzzlady]

I remember in 6th grade the girls were taken into a seperate room 1x a week and the teacher would read the book "Hi, God. It's me Margaret." We also received pamphlets, but I don't remember getting any kits.