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?  READ MORE… »

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What words come to mind when you think of summer? Swimsuits…Water…Camping…Sun…

But what about menstruation? Have you thought about how you will handle your period (or your daughter’s) during the warm summer months that are filled with opportunities to play in the water?

Feminine Hygiene SamplerNever fear! This month’s tweet chat was designed to help with just that! June 8th we will be discussing, Menstruation: Summer Periods – Camp, Vacations, Swimming & More – What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know with our co-host You ARE Loved.

To help promote the event and encourage participation Be Prepared Period will be giving away one of our brand new Summer Sampler Kits to one very lucky participant.

The Summer Sampler is a perfect way to try several new products all at once! Whether you are a “menstrual veteran” searching for healthier options or are completely new to internally worn products, this kit is for you. Where else can you try 6 products from 3 different brands?

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What words come to mind when you think of summer? Swimsuits…Water…Camping…Sun…

But what about menstruation? Have you thought about how you will handle your period (or your daughter’s) during the warm summer months that are filled with opportunities to play in the water?

Ruby's Red WashNever fear! This month’s tweet chat was designed to help with just that! June 8th we will be discussing, Menstruation: Summer Periods – Camp, Vacations, Swimming & More – What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know with our co-host You ARE Loved.

To help promote the event and encourage participation Ruby’s Red Wash has generously donated a bottle of their natural stain remover for us to give away to one very lucky participant. ($11.95 value)

Ruby’s Red Wash is a stain remover created just for women— to deal with the problem of menstrual or period blood-stained clothing (perfect for saving swimsuits!). It dissolves even dried, set-in blood. Quite simply, any girl or woman who bleeds or has a period ever needs Ruby’s Red Wash. You are never too young or too old to make your life easier with RRW!

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Until my 20’s, I struggled with PMS. Whether it was backaches, migraines, excessive cramping, etc. it was a constant struggle. I always did the obvious, painkillers, PMS tea, read all the tips from magazines and it seemed, nothing worked. It wasn’t until my late 20’s I met a modern day goddess (and yoga guru), Zahra Haji.  She fashioned unique practices for women to connect with their feminine energy, under her business Yoga Goddess. Amongst her different series of classes, she had a very special offering Moon Goddess.  This class focused on how women’s bodies connect spiritually with the moon, and how women are cyclical just like the moon. Each phase of the moon, connected with one of the four phases of the monthly cycle a woman goes through. It was through this series of kundalini yoga, meditations, and using specific yoga poses for each part of the cycle I go through with my body, that helped me achieve the most important success in my struggle with PMS; love and acceptance of my body, what I go through and how it makes me unique. READ MORE… »

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I have to start by saying that my mom and I are now best of friends and this is in no way criticism of the way she raised me it was a different time and talking about certain things were still taboo.
My First Period - Heather Lynne's StoryWhen I was a young girl there was no “talk” about your cycle or what to expect, actually I don’t think there was much talking about anything regarding our bodies.  I do remember my very forward-thinking mom buying me “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.”  But that was probably the only real “discussion” we had.
When my period came the only real information I had was the vague information from “health” class (in those days it was less information more ewww it’s yucky) and from my peers as well as the outdated information in the book from mom.
I was 11 or 12 when “aunt flo” came to visit the first time,  I know it was a bit scary and I was surprised when cramps and clots happened.  No one mentioned these exciting and fantastic things I got to discover on my own.
The usage of tampons and pads were awkward and I spent many days scrubbing stains that I wasn’t prepared for.  I knew that mom had a bucket under the sink for her icky things so I took her signal as this was the way it was SUPPOSED to be.
The whole period thing was disgusting, horrible and uncomfortable as I have fibroid cysts on my ovaries (making my cramps insufferable). READ MORE… »

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