The mother-daughter period talk can make parents and daughters alike feel a little uneasy. But among the discomfort, there lies an opportunity to create a connection and empower young girls. Having an open conversation about menstruation helps them understand their bodies, and know the precautions of all the side effects that come with it. It’s important to have that talk at an early age, to let them know what’s coming.
Many girls grew up with a lack of knowledge of how menstruation works. We want to advocate that we had a similar experience with it too. In a society that doesn’t bring up this topic or teach the science behind it, we as women tend to go through menstruation on our own without having the proper guidance from older women who went through it.
Here’s the thing, discussing periods is an opportunity to celebrate womanhood. It’s a chance for mothers to pass down their knowledge of their first period to their young daughters and that their body is going through natural changes. It’s also crucial to make them feel like it’s nothing to be ashamed of, and that it’s a natural way of how their body grows.
Many of us had to face the first time alone, wondering what is going on with our bodies to the point where fear takes over. We didn’t know which products suited us, and what are the hygiene protocols. A mother is a source of comfort when it comes to learning the basics of menstruation and should be a safe space to seek help when battling with mood swings, and period pains.
This should be a bonding moment between mother and daughter, it is a chance to build a stronger connection. By sharing experiences and listening to the daughter’s questions and concerns, there can be trust established and more room for comfort.
It’s about time to challenge the stigma around periods, and demolishing the shame surrounding it can pass down the comfort for younger girls in future generations to have an open talk with their own future daughters. After all, menstruation is a normal part of life that should not be kept secret.
