10 Things We Wish Guys Knew

To the guys in my life: I think you should know … Times have seriously changed. While women have made great strides toward equal rights, there are still a few things that are still misunderstood about women. In keeping with our theme of the month, it’s time to set the record straight for gals of all ages. To the gents in our lives, don’t stress if you don’t totally understand – the key here is to respect our differences. But if you’re a brother, dad, boyfriend or friend and you’ve made it this far, we applaud you for giving it your best effort. Here’s 10 things we wish you knew.

1. Sometimes we don’t even understand ourselves.

Why do we cry one second and laugh the next? Blame it on those lovely perks called hormones. They’re what cause our emotions to change without warning, leaving us — and you — confused and frustrated. It is in your best interest to allow us a moment to sort things out on our own. We’ll work it out and we’ll find you when we have things under control.

2. We often learn the hard way.

Times can get tough during the tween and teenage years. It’s no secret that girls can be downright mean – friends one moment and enemies the next. During this time, it is easy to fall victim to vicious bullying. Unfortunately, we often learn the hard way that it takes a special sort of lady to come out on top. With just the right mix of confidence and sensitivity, we develop skills that will support our future selves.

3. Taking care of ourselves just takes longer.

We have longer hair to tend to, skin to prep, and other obligations. If we enter the bathroom to get ready, expect us to take the time we need to take care of ourselves. We think of it as our place of solitude to meet with the gal in the mirror.

4. If you say we can’t, we most certainly will.

Girls have been on a mission for years to prove that we are fully capable of executing anything you think is a “man’s job.” And, although we may sometimes look physically smaller – we will run just as fast, perform just as well, and score the same grade — just because we can.

5. We like to eat, too.

With all of that running around, we’re going to need our fuel. Gone are the days of expecting a woman to feel guilty about ordering more than a salad off the menu. While we do make it a priority to make healthy choices, we enjoy indulging and a couple of hot wings (or tofu wings for our vegan friends), a greasy burger or a double scoop sundae might just do the trick.

6. We remember everything.

Hurtful words stick, and they may stick for a while. When we bring them back up, it isn’t because we hang onto things – it is because they hang on to us. So, be careful what you say. That comment about our inability to take a joke or your smirk at our latest haircut won’t simply disappear.

7. It is not our job to clean.

While mothers around the world are tackling it all, that doesn’t mean we have to just yet. The job descriptions have changed. We now continue our educations beyond high school, secure well-paying jobs, and hold positions of leadership. While we don’t mind keeping up with the house, we have all the confidence in the world that you, too, can figure out how to use the vacuum.

8. Not all girls are princesses.

We understand that we can be confusing human beings. Some of us enjoy the glitz and glamour that can come with being a girly girl. But no matter how we identify, we simply want to be respected. Don’t let looks deceive you – equal treatment is expected these days, and it can go a long way.

9. Don’t be afraid of a little period talk.

Now you certainly didn’t think you could make it through all 10 without a single comment about our monthly friend, did you? We get it. You may feel it’s taboo and the last thing you want to think about, but the truth is, a period is the most natural thing in the world. This rite of passage celebrates the transformation of a girl to a young woman and prepares her for the next stage of life. That’s a pretty impressive monthly adventure! Can we count on you to help us stop the stigma that’s been attached to this natural part of life for far too long? The less you’re afraid to engage in a little period talk, the more it will ease our concerns, too.

10. We still love you.

We may have a rough month. We may remember everything and forget nothing. We may even tell you that we hate you on a particularly rough day. Still, when all is said and done, we’re happy you are in our lives. We need our fathers, our brothers, our partners and friends to not only challenge us, but remind us to be kind and gentle to ourselves. At Be Prepared. Period., we are on a mission to empower girls by promoting PeriodTalk. If you’re feeling moved to make a positive change for girls everywhere, we challenge you to share this post. Become a part of the movement!