On the day we were set to learn the gender of our twins, my partner and I were filled with excitement. As the ultrasound wand moved over my growing belly, the anticipation grew. The technician announced, “Baby A is… a girl.”
He added more gel and continued searching for Baby B.
“Ah, there… Baby B is also a girl.”
My partner’s joy was contagious: “AH… two girls!” I couldn’t help but smile. Two daughters! The excitement quickly turned into concern when we reached the elevator. “Two girls means two periods at the same time,” my partner remarked. The reality of navigating this stage of life started to sink in.
Both my partner and I have our own memories of the puberty conversation—hers was particularly challenging. For me, I barely remember mine. Puberty can start as early as age 8 for girls, signaling the beginning of a complex journey filled with physical changes that can be quite uncomfortable.
Our twin daughters are nearing six, and the thought of puberty is daunting. However, my anxiety has eased a bit since I discovered the concept of a period box.
What is a Period Box?
A period box is a fantastic idea shared by writer and blogger Sarah Johnson. In her blog, she recommends creating a personalized box for your daughter when she turns 9. This box can serve as a useful tool for easing into discussions about puberty and menstruation. Each box can include items that demystify the experience of getting a period, ultimately making it less intimidating. Johnson emphasizes that assembling a “first-period box” allows for conversations about different menstrual products, empowering your daughter to make informed choices.
The contents of the box can be tailored to your daughter’s needs. There are many eco-friendly options available at The Period Store, which also provides suggestions for what to include.
When it came to our son’s puberty talk, we were caught off guard. One day, he came home from school saying, “My teacher said we all need to buy deodorant over the weekend.” Before we knew it, we were browsing the deodorant aisle. This moment made it clear that we needed to have that important conversation.
For our son, we relied heavily on educational books like “It’s So Amazing: A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families.” That book was incredibly helpful, and we plan to consider similar resources for our daughters. While books can guide the discussion, they don’t replace the need for open dialogue. We allowed our son to lead with his questions, which helped to avoid any embarrassment.
I’m looking forward to the unique experience of guiding my daughters through this transition, starting with the creation of their period box.
The box I envision will include items suggested by Sarah, such as sanitary pads, menstrual cups, tampons, pain relief medication, a heating pad, herbal tea, and chocolate. To make it special, I’ll also include a note inviting them to talk to me or their other mom whenever they feel the need.
Think of the period box as filling an Easter basket or wrapping a thoughtful gift. It should not only contain essentials but also offer comfort and education. It’s crucial that they learn about these experiences from us rather than relying solely on peers or, worse, navigating it on their own.
If you want to read more about parenting and home insemination, check out this related blog post here. For more comprehensive information, visit Make a Mom for authoritative insights and Mount Sinai for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Creating a period box is an effective way to facilitate discussions about puberty with your daughters. It can help demystify menstruation and provide them with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate this natural part of life. By filling the box with essentials and personal touches, you can create a supportive environment that encourages open dialogue.