
Last weekend my 10-year-old daughter started her period. It’s young to start – so young that she still believes in the Easter Bunny, and on that first period morning was out in the backyard hunting for chocolate eggs.
The juxtaposition is heartbreaking, because nothing signals the impending loss of innocence more than a young girl’s first period, and when it’s against a backdrop of make-believe the imperfect timing is striking. That little girl, running around finding chocolate eggs is still my baby, and now her body is telling her she is capable of making her own.
I’m not at all worried about explaining what a period is or telling her about sex. She’s known for a long time.
Watch: MM Confessions – Your period horror stories. Post continues below.
We talk openly about everything, which was kind of uncomfortable at first but being open has for sure paid off as she wasn’t scared or worried. She simply whispered, “Mum I think I’ve got my period”.
It was very matter of fact, and while she was a little emotional, it wasn’t a huge shock for her – in fact she seemed delighted to share this big event with me.
For me though… oh the crushing knowledge that she is way too little to have to go through this every month.
To wear pads and tampons, to handle the emotions and restrictions and unknown every single month for the next 40 or so years.
And calendars! No longer will she make decisions based on whether her day is free for a friend’s pool party, beach swim or sleepover.
Top Comments
How on earth does the arrival of menstruation signify the "impending loss of innocence"? That sounds seriously backward and Dickensian to me.
Sound like something an American evangelical would say