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Teachable/Talkable moments. – Proud to be a #KotexMom Series
Part 1 in the series
Part 2 in the series
As a mom I see every moment in my life that I spend with my kids a teachable moment. Whether it’s walking down the street and waving hello to a neighbor (manners), shopping in the stores and figuring out sale percentages (math) or driving in the car listening to the news and discussing what we heard(current events).
I have found more and more now that I have teenagers that you also have to look for and prepare for ‘talkable’ moments with your kids, especially your daughters. During the summertime this year I used upcoming school time and school shopping as my chance to prepare my daughter for the inevitability of her first period, as mine started around her age. It was an ongoing conversation through out the month of August. I explained to her how it isn’t the same for everyone and that she might not even know that’s what it is the first time she has it. We discussed a possibly ‘code word’ that she can use to let me know that her period has started that no one else will know and I will immediately know she needs my assistance. We also agreed that she needs a kit to keep in her locker or back pack with all of her supplies in it so if she doesn’t have time to go to the nurse or is feeling uncomfortable doing so she is in control of the situation.
My daughter and I don’t really have one type of bonding experience (it’s pretty much all of the time) so I have to pick and choose the best time to talk to her, especially when her 5 year old sister isn’t around to butt into the conversation. The key part of keeping the first period conversation with your daughter is to make sure it feels organic to your daughter, not forced or planned. I know with mine, she will withdraw if it feels like a confrontation. I grab the opportunity when it strikes, for example, when we were doing our nails. I mentioned that when you get your period it will be a normal thing in your life as a girl/woman, like doing your nails or shaving your legs.
The key thing as a mom to a tween girl (and teen girls too) is to read her cues. You know her best, her personality and what she will respond best to in a conversation. My daughter does best with humor, the funnier I make it, the more she will listen. Make sure she knows that every one goes through, be frank when she asks you questions with out divulging more info than she asked for and remember, this is the most important, this can be scary. We as older women are jaded, we have been there, done that. Put yourself in her place, things are a lot different, kids are growing up really fast in this generation. Give her a soft, safe place where she can be scared, curious or just a little girl for a moment. Again, like I mentioned in my last post, get some books. Books are a great way for your daughter to gain information at her own pace and encourage her to take notes so she can ask you questions later.
Check back in next month for the next post in the series: Back to School- supplies.
For more great tips and tricks from other teens please visit:
http://www.ubykotex.com/real_answers/hello_period
Great ideas and material to help YOU talk to your daughter please visit:
http://www.kotex.com/NA/articles-info/my-daughters-period
I wrote this review while participating in a Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of U by KotexTween and received products to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
