So, my almost 5 year old daughter normally comes in and out of the bathroom when I'm taking a shower/bath or going to the bathroom. Last night she came in and saw my disposed pad and asked why I wear that sometimes and what it was. When I stumbled to think of what the heck to say, she actually said "come on, Mommy, just tell me." I don't want her to think I'm keeping anything from her. The only thing I could come up with was it's something that happens to Mommy's, but that was not a good enough answer for her. I am truly stumped as to what to say that is age appropriate. Does anyone have some words of wisdom about how to explain the "monthly friend" without scarying a 5 year old to death? LOL!
As I'm reading the first few responses, I'm realizing she might be old enough (sniff!) for a broader conversation. Anyone have good book recommendations for a 5 year old girl?
I told both my girls (now 5 and 7) allllll about it, LOL! I go into every detail, they get BORED (not mortified) and leave it alone ;) I'm not lying to them, tried to tell them, and they didn't care to sit there long enough for me to tell the whole thing. Ditto for the birds and the bees questions!!
My daughter saw me changing a tampon when she was four. I told her that every month a woman's body makes a sort of nest inside her uterus so that if a baby starts to grow, it has a safe place to grow until its ready to be born. If a baby doesn't start growing, the woman's body gets rid of the old nest and starts growing a fresh one. The blood is just the old nest, and it doesn't hurt, it's just kind of messy, and the tampons (or pads) soak it up so it doesn't get all over your clothes.
My three year old son saw a box of tampons and asked what they were for...it was awkward for a minute and then it occurred to me that this conversation would never, ever get less awkward--so I told him what they were for. He then immediately turned and asked what the Q-tips were for--to him the tampons weren't any different than the Q-tips; everything is new when you're little and you have lots of questions!
I have always told my kids (some of who are scared of blood) when they walk in on me that 'mommies make extra blood to help grow a baby. If there is no baby, then every month the extra blood comes out. I tell them it is NOT hurting me at all.' Simple, truthful and takes the worry out of them.
I just told my girls that it was a monthly thing that happens when a girl's body changes to start to become a young woman. I didn't say just for mommy's because they knew their friends older cousin also had it and she was not a mommy (teen). As they got older, I told them more about it. They were not surprised when it came though didn't think it actually happened EVERY month. Quoting one of my girls, "what the heck, that's not fair".
She'll only think it's scary if you present it that way. Just tell the truth, nature is nature, there's no gettin' around it! The more she hears about it throughout the next few years, the less the big deal it will be when it happens.
:)
My girls have known for years what happens every month to Mommy and someday to them. They're 10 and 8 (and seriously, the way my 10yr old is developing, I wouldn't be surprised if it started happening to HER pretty soon, too). I've explained what it is, why we get it, how it feels, all in a very basic way without getting too technical. They basically know that women have a sack inside them where the babies can grow called a uterus, and once a month that sack cleans itself out, it's totally natural, all women go through it and it's mostly no big deal. They also know that sometimes when the body is cleansing itself, Mommy can be in a kinda bad mood while it happens and sometimes she can get stomach aches or cramps, adding to her bad mood. But mostly, it's no big deal and when it happens to them, they'll be totally ready. I remember getting mine at 11 (on an overnight school trip, no less) and knowing absolutely NOTHING about it and being terrified. I don't want my girls to ever go through THAT like I had to. So we're very open about woman issues in our house.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/talk_about_men...
hope the above link helps! she's 5, so you can leave out details.
my 5 year old son walked in the bathroom while I was getting a tampon ready and he asked what it was. I just told him it was a special kind of band-aid for mommies and then told him to never walk in on my again!!!... he was fine with that answer.
Just be honest. Around here such things are dinner table talk. Totally weirds out my husband, but hey, it gets them talking and they learn to understand it's normal and that they can ask questions. the current topics are more boy related though, specifically erections, and how it's normal and not a big deal even when it happens in math class. My oldest boy is also almost 12 though. lol
My daughter is 2 and she knows all about periods. She never lets me go to the bathroom without her, and she likes getting out a tampon and giving it to me. She has tried to put them on herself, (pads) and I told her when she's older she will need them. As she gets older Im sure she will have more questions, and I will answer. I always think that it is better to be honest/open because then they are not in for a huge shock when they are at that age.
There is not a time I remember that I did not now what a period was. From tiny tiny girls, we knew about mommy's pads and periods. It was no big deal. You don't have to turn it into a birds and bees talk. Give her some basic facts and treat it like no big deal, and she'll take it like to big deal; "honey, once a month mommy had blood that come out of my vjayjay and its normal. It helps my insides be healthy and ready for a baby, and some day when you are older you will have it to. Its called a period and it doesn't hurt."
her monthly enenmy will come between 9-12 and she doesnt want it till she has to. but realistically she is old enough to understand that is what makes mommies able to have babies. your answering her and not giving to much detail.
My oldest got the whole sex talk talk at 5, because thats when i got it. I have to remind her about some things still but....
i think its time.
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