Your child’s first period is a special moment in their lives and yours.
While preparing them can be a beautiful rite of passage, it can also be a challenging road to navigate, especially if it's been a long time since you had your first period or you’ve never experienced a period.
We’ve laid out a few tips to help you prepare and teach your child all about their first period, talk to them about puberty, and accept their changing bodies and cycles with love and celebration.
Be Proactive
Most children will get their first period sometime between the ages of 10-15, but that doesn’t mean you need to wait until their first cycle to start talking about periods. Introduce the idea of a period early on—for example, if your child ever finds a menstrual product in the house or sees one at the store, take the time to explain what it is and why it’s used. Starting young and gradually equipping your child with knowledge over the years with correct information can help them handle their first cycle in a calmer, more educated way.
Facts First
Always lead with facts and correct information about periods to help set the record straight. There’s so much funky info and myths out there about periods, and it’s likely that your child is going to hear them (on TV, from friends, browsing online) no matter what. Be a resource for your child so they know that you’ll help them find the right answers they need to the burning questions they have.
Be Open & Direct
One of the best things you can do for your child is to be as transparent and honest as possible. The last thing you want is for your child to feel like they can’t come to you with questions or concerns about their cycles. The more honest, direct, and open you can be, the more comfortable your child will be when the time finally comes for their first period.
Stay Positive & Celebrate Menstruation
It’s important to realize that your child might feel apprehensive, nervous, or even a little embarrassed about the changes their bodies are going through. Be a pillar of confidence and celebration for them by wrapping the entire experience with the positivity it deserves. Unfortunately, cultural stigmas about periods are typically pretty negative and can make kids feel like they’re experiencing something “gross” they need to keep quiet about.
But periods are beautiful and amazing parts of our biology, and they signify something very cool—a turning point as your children begin their journey toward adulthood. Think about the words you say, how you describe menstruation, and the attitude in which you talk them through it. Puberty is something every person goes through—and it’s something every person should be proud of, too.
Explain All the Options
Navigating the world of menstrual products can be challenging even as an adult. Introduce your child to all their options, explain the pros and cons of each menstrual product, and help them decide what works best for their bodies, their cycle, and their preferences.
Create an Emergency Kit
Pack up a pristine emergency kit that contains everything your child might need for their period should it happen at an unexpected time. Having products like organic pads, tampons, menstrual cups, sanitizing wipes, a change of underwear, and medicine can make all the difference and squash some of the period anxiety your child might be feeling.
Hands-On Learning is Helpful
Don’t be afraid to be more than just a talking head. If your child is comfortable with asking you for help, don’t be afraid to take a more hands-on approach. Show your child how menstrual products work, read through instructions with them, and deliberate over the pros and cons of each product to help them decide on what works best for their bodies.
Above all, make sure your child knows that menstruation is a healthy, normal, and natural part of life—try to make sure they understand there's nothing embarrassing about it at all! This type of attitude will help your child build confidence in their cycle, ask for help when they need it, and encourage them to learn how to take care of themselves in healthy ways that are perfect for them.
Have Cup Questions? The JUNE Team Has Your Back
Good news—the JUNE crew is here for you no matter what you might need or what questions you might have.
Curious about what might be the right menstrual cup for your child or teen? We recommend our Cup Quiz for helpful information on your perfect-fit cup. Want to know more about the JUNE products we offer? Check out our cups, especially our June Cup Teen, right here.
Looking for more helpful information? We’ve got you covered—check out a few of our must-read resources right here for period knowledge, cup insights, and beyond.