You’re a dad with a daughter. Periods happen. You’ll survive, and so will she.
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There’s an event in your daughter’s life that you can’t escape. Something that will change your relationship with her permanently, and can be painful, awkward, irritating, or seemingly incomprehensible.
Her period.
It’s hard to think of your baby growing up, right? Guess what, Dad…she is. And if she’s between the ages of 9 and 15, be prepared. It could happen any minute.
On my ninth birthday, I took a bath. At that age, the thing I loved most was to take a long, hot soak in the tub with a book. Nature had other plans for this birthday, though. While the water was still filling the tub, I screamed at the top of my lungs.
“I’m hemorrhaging!”
What can I say? I’m a doctor’s daughter with a flair for the dramatic.
My parents rushed into the bathroom, panic-stricken. And then they realized…their little girl wasn’t a baby anymore. Within an hour, my heroic Dad had traveled to the supermarket and brought home every brand of maxi pad in the store.
You could tell he was overwhelmed.
So what about you, Dad? Are you ready for the big event?
Two Dads Vs. Aunt Flo
As a gay, or straight dad, you’ve probably heard the question from strangers more than once. How can a dad talk to a girl about menstruation? Amy Kaufman Burk phrased a response that she and her friend Laurents, a gay dad, discussed years ago in her kitchen after Laurents had a particularly unpleasant encounter with a stranger. Their response is beautiful.
“The same way they talk about anything else — with respect, care, and love. Our culture has an odd attitude toward menstruation; often, the mere mention of a girl’s monthly cycle stops a guy in his tracks. But honestly, that seems rather silly. If a dad doesn’t know how to put in a tampon (and gay or straight, why should he know?) then he can ask a woman for help. My husband and I have turned to our it-takes-a-village friends several times.
For example: We don’t wear makeup, but our daughter does. She learned to apply it from another adult, since neither of her parents had ever so much as put on lipstick. She’s tolerant of our woeful ignorance, and more importantly, shows no signs of being scarred for life. The point here: No parent can be everything for her or his children. It’s not about being gay, bi, or straight; it’s about being human.”
Now that we’re past that issue, let’s move on to what really matters. How your daughter will feel about you talking with her about her period, and what you should do about her first menstrual cycle.
If you browse through forums online, you’ll see plenty of suggestions like “Take your daughter on a special date night.” Read the comments on those pieces. You probably already know this, but no preteen or teen wants to go celebrate the arrival of her period on an awkward date with her father. Most of us just want to forget it exists, take an Advil and get back to thinking about our latest crush, soccer try-outs, or what summer camp we’ll be going to and if we can split a cabin with our friends.
How to Help Your Daughter with Her First Period
This stage of life can be a little overwhelming, for both of you. I’ve pulled together the following list after asking friends and acquaintances what they wish their dads had done for their periods. You might be surprised…
- NOTHING. Sure, you need to buy pads, tampons, or the like, but don’t overdo it. A period is a big change in a girl’s life, and it’s awkward enough without any extra emphasis. Don’t plan a period party, give a special piece of jewelry, or take her out on a date night to celebrate menstruation.
- Don’t freak out. You’re probably not ready for this. Most parents dread the day, even as their daughters look forward to it as a sign that they are coming of age. Just make sure that you’ve had “the talk” by the time she’s nine, and keep a basket on hand with a few samples of different brands of pads and tampons (most companies will give these to you for free by mail), a bottle of water to help her rehydrate, and a 2-pack of Advil in case her cramps are unbearable.
- Make it clear she can talk to you about it. Some dads close off when the period starts. They don’t know about how it works, and don’t really want to. Sit down with a female friend or two well before the day arrives, and ask them what it’s like. Ask them the details, even about questions you may already know the answers to – like how often a pad should be changed (at least once every eight hours, and anytime that it’s full). A refresher course can fill you in on changes from the days you helped your mom or sister shop. You’ll get answers to questions like what brands of tampon or pad work best today, too.
- Get help. If you have a female friend who is like an aunt to your daughter, ask her if she’d be willing to help her through the first cycle or two with shopping trips and tips—trust me, shopping for pads with your Dad is embarrassing, no matter how great your relationship is.
- Schedule an appointment with the gynecologist. Periods come with baggage, and you need to know that your daughter is 100% healthy. Take her to the gynecologist, but don’t make a big deal of it. She’ll have an exam, you’ll know if her flow is too heavy or too light (you’re probably aware of this, but overly light or extremely heavy periods could mean there’s something wrong), and she’ll find out more about how to take care of herself.
There are lots of ways to ease period cramps (and the irritability and weepiness that comes with them) that you can do without even telling your daughter. Take her out to a café for tea—it’s a great way to ease cramps. Give her a chocolate bar to help relax her muscles. Keep her hydrated, and skip the salty foods to decrease bloating. You get the idea. There are plenty of ways that diet can keep period pain and irritability in check.
Your daughter is less likely to feel miserable if she’s active on a regular basis. Take her to the park and go for a jog together, go for a bike ride together, take a long walk—just keep her moving. If she’s in extracurricular activities like soccer or basketball, you’ve got a little help on this one.
Tips for Buying Your Daughter’s Pads and Tampons
Have you ever walked down the pad aisle in the supermarket? It’s a rainbow of confusion. I’m a woman and I still get overwhelmed. Wings, no wings, overnight, light, panty liner, tampon with a plastic applicator, tampon with a cardboard applicator, tampon with no applicator… it’s a mess. Here’s what you need to know:
Every woman has her own preferences. Many manufacturers will send you a kit for your daughter’s first period if you request it. They include everything from coupons to pads, and may even come with a little purse or pouch she could use. Order these when she’s 8, so that you’re ready when the time comes. After a year or two, discard the samples that were sent and buy a small package of each. Let your daughter try each brand to see what she likes best. You might want to check out HelloFlo, too. The company’s First Moon Party ad will make you laugh until you cry, and their starter package is a good option for many girls.
If your daughter asks you to buy a pack of pads or tampons for her, here’s a little reminder of what you need to look for:
- Each pack of pads or tampons has an indicator on the side that tells you how absorbent they are. If possible, choose a package that contains different absorbency levels, especially for tampons.
- Panty liners aren’t for the period itself. They don’t absorb much of anything, and are more for daily use the rest of the month, especially for women who have already had a kid or two. Don’t bother with them unless she asks you to buy them.
- Tampons should be worn with a pad, and although they do a great job at absorbing, they come with a few serious risks. You might want to save these for her teen years, unless her gynecologist gives you the go-ahead.
- Plastic applicator tampons are the easiest to use, although cardboard and no applicator types work just as well.
- If you ask the pharmacist, they may be able to make some brand and style recommendations based on your daughter’s age and body type.
- Some women hate pads with wings, while others can’t live without them. Buy your daughter a pack of each, so she can decide which she prefers.
- Try not to buy thick pads—they’re uncomfortable for younger girls, and you can find equally absorbent options that aren’t as awkward.
- If your daughter is eco-conscious, consider cloth pads or a menstrual cup. Both options may be workable, but take a bigger commitment to self-care on her part.
How to Know If Something Is Wrong With Your Daughter’s Period
You can’t exactly help your daughter through every step of her period, but be attentive in case she needs you. There are a few key signs you need to watch for that might indicate a problem. You might already be aware of this, but it’s worth keeping in mind: If your daughter is 15 and hasn’t had her period yet, you need to schedule an appointment with the gynecologist. This could indicate a health problem. The same is true if your daughter’s period is extremely early (before age nine).
If your daughter is using tampons, you need to know the signs and symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). It’s a dangerous infection, and needs to be treated immediately. According to the Mayo Clinic, here’s what you need to watch for:
- A sudden high fever
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- A rash resembling a sunburn, particularly on her palms and soles
- Confusion
- Muscle aches
- Redness of your eyes, mouth and throat
- Seizures
- Headaches
Sometimes, strange things happen. If your daughter tells you that she lost a tampon inside (it happens), take her to the gynecologist. In five minutes, she’ll be good as new. Making sure that she uses the tampon absorbency strength that is right for her flow can help prevent TSS and the accidental loss of a tampon in the vagina, among other problems.
Another sign to watch for is irregularity. If your daughter is having her period at odd intervals, there may be an issue. Keep an eye on when her cycle starts and stops. Pain is also a hint that something is wrong. We all know that periods hurt, but if she’s often in agony, make sure she’s checked for problems like endometriosis.
Wrap-Up
You’re a dad with a daughter. Periods happen. You’ll survive, and so will she. If you want the process to go as smoothly as possible, just don’t sweat it. It’s a normal part of being a woman. The one thing you can do is leave the door open to communication—her period is just the start of a new phase of her life. She’s becoming a woman, and you’ve raised her beautifully this far.
Need More Help? Look Here For More Information:
- http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/menstruation.html
- http://www.bepreparedperiod.com/blog/period-puberty-info/
- http://menstrupedia.com/
- http://www.kotex.com/NA/articles-info/my-daughters-period
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Originally appeared on Gays With Kids. Reprinted with permission.
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Photo: Flickr/Roland Lackis
Thank you for the tips ! I feel ready now !
What a nice surprise to find a mention of my article in your piece! Thanks so much!
Thank you, Amy. It was a great article! My apologies for not replying to this comment sooner – I didn’t see it.
OK, true story. Some years back (my girls were 14, 12, and 10) the wife was in the hospital recovering from surgery and we went to visit along with my mother, my 2 sisters and my mother in law. Since there was too many of us to be allowed in the room at once, we took turns visiting. As we were leaving, my 12 year old says she needs me to stop at the store with her. My sister volunteers to take her (we came in different cars) but my daughter insists I have to take her. So I stop… Read more »
That is a pretty special indication of how safe she felt with you. It sounds like this is a cherished memory now and it’s wonderful 🙂 Great job, dad!
Thanks. I remember feeling bad for my daughter. I mean, here she was at this big moment in her life and she had to ‘go it alone’ so to speak, find her mother’s supplies and figure it out on her own. When she told me, all I could think of was ‘stepping up’ for her (even though I was ‘winging’ it).
Way to go, Dad! As a daughter and a mom, I’ve gotta say – you handled it perfectly. I also think it’s pretty cool that she came to you. Here’s to a great dad-daughter relationship!
Not what my girls want. When each of my daughters had their periods. They wanted this to be a private matter away from dad. I had to respect their feelings.
We have got to stop pressuring girls to share their legions as a patty event. Most girls do not share this easily and esoecuslly with males. Stop the pressure on girls to include dads in their period business.
If she feels comfortable going to her Dad why do you assume their was pressure on her to include her Dad? The hang up here is you and the real issues you have with men. Why do you get to force your opinion about making the bold statement to? “Stop the pressure on girls to include dads in their period business. ” Understand that this situation and the relationship that each individual girl has with males and especially their dad is unique and we don’t need the peanut gallery telling me how to act. From a Daddy…. KCCO….
No not right. She needed her mom, not a dad.
Good job Daddy, she obviously trusts and loves you. Two thumbs up??
Not necessarily so. Normally a girl does not want to share this with her dad. We need to stop trying to push girls into that notion. I teach girls and work with their mothers and this is something we discuss fully. Mothers should begin talking with their daughters as early as 9 or 10. Prepare her so that puberty is good for her. Please do not make your daughter feel awkward or miserable having to go to any man. . This doesn’t take away a thing from the dad. This daughter’s feelings are more important than trying to worry about… Read more »