‘Talk to your kids like you’re telling them how to put on socks and shoes’ – Lily’s story on talking periods

Even though it was just on the ‘early side of normal’, my daughter was the first in her peer group to get her period.

We had already spoken all about periods, so when it happened it wasn’t alarming to her – but it was an adjustment for me.

When talking about periods knowledge is power

When I grew up, people avoided talking about periods, but knowledge is power.

If you don’t talk about periods, it doesn’t mean they don’t happen. The silence around periods has got to change.

Parents often still feel embarrassed. My biggest tip is – you just need to normalise it yourself first. I’d rather my kids be equipped with knowledge.

Even knowing the basic facts can be empowering. Talk to your kids like you’re telling them how to put on socks and shoes.

You can layer their knowledge by adding to your last conversation and educating yourself along the way too.

When you know how a period works, you’ll know what the options are when theirs comes, even if it’s early.

Let curiosity lead the period chat

I’m glad we started talking about periods when she was quite young, so she had some information before it happened.

I prepared myself by making a few dot points about what felt important to cover and then had those ready when questions come up.

If you’re giving them too much information too soon, it’ll just go over their heads, but when the time comes, they will let you know what they are ready for.

I also found having a good book was helpful to get the conversation started. You can leave it for them to read or read it together and wait for them to ask questions.

Period education is a shared responsibility

As well as my daughter, I have two boys. I feel that we need to change a lot of things in society, including how we talk to our boys and how sex ed happens in schools, to keep making things better for our kids.

I have always said to my boys that contraception is shared responsibility, and that their health is their own responsibility.

Women often carry the load. We know that many women still do so much of the childcare, the majority of the housework and, on top of it all, do paid work as well.

I hope the world becomes a kinder place for women. We set the bar very high for ourselves, given all we have to carry and navigate. Be kind to yourself and starting somewhere is better than not starting at all.