My Tween, Her Period, & Summer FunA guest post by S. Medlock

My oldest daughter is almost a teenager.  Recently, we have been going through a lot of changes together.  She started her period a few months ago; this will be her first summer to have her cycle. Neither one of us is sure exactly what this will be like.

So far her cycles have been irregular, and her flow has been incredibly light.  Since it has been easy so far, she’s super confident to the point of being over-confident.  “It’s no big deal” is her favorite thing to say, but I know that she’s going to be in shock when her flow finally comes full blast.  Even though there will be caregivers around wherever she may be, it’s not like knowing I will be there when “the BIG cycle” comes.  Because her cycles have been unexpectedly light, I’m afraid I’m not going to be around when the “BIG cycle” comes.  I also worry she or I will forget something important during our summer travels.  I’m just afraid that when the “BIG cycle” comes she won’t be prepared.  I have so many questions.  Summer makes this much more complicated, especially for our family travels (knowing we may need to take more traveling breaks while on the road).

I want to know so much!  Does anyone have a checklist of things not to be without on a short trip, long week vacationing or summer camp?  What do I do when she has an accident in a place without a washing machine?  What is an effective pain reliever for the day or night?  I know when I was growing up some of the medicine made me sleepy – it turned me into a zombie with an attitude.  I know she’s going to overnight camp with other girls without me.  How do I teach her how to handle everything? What if she has accidents?  What do I tell her to do with the underwear?  Do other kids really just throw them away?  I know that there are some hormonal factors too.  She will be sweating a lot since we are in Texas and some days it’s over 100 degrees in the shade. What’s the best way of handling periods during the heat?  What am I missing? It feels like there is so much to know.

One thing I know for sure: it’s going to be an interesting summer!

 

Join us for a Be Prepared for Summer &  Your Period Tweet Chat on May 10, 2013. Details can be found on the Tweet Chat page (transcript will be posted here after the event).