LET'S TALK PERIODS
What to say | Products | Starter Kits | How to Celebrate 
Your daughter's first period is a life transition which should be honoured. It is one of many rites of passage she (and you) will walk through.
Her whole being is undergoing a transformation.
Marking these changes with a celebration strengthens your connection, gives her a sense of belonging and an opportunity to honour her new self without shame or embarrassment.
A Period Party, Ceremony or form of acknowledgement confronts the stigma around periods by treating them as something that deserve to be celebrated, not hidden.
This will increase her confidence, self-worth and body compassion which is hugely important around this time of change.
There are many ways to make your girl feel special.
She might feel self conscious about it so make sure you chat to her first.
HER BODY. HER CHOICE!
It's never too late to honour your periods arrival.
Each one gifts us new insight, heightened intuition and acts as an excellent baromter for our overall wellbeing.
‘FIRST MOON’ PARTY
This could be anything she wants from an ice cream date to a big party with red velvet cupcakes, pink lemonade, strawberries and moon shaped decorations.
CREATE A BEAUTIFUL PERIOD KIT
Period products are something she will need each month. Taking the time to create a beautiful kit is a self care ritual. Do it together or create one for her to make her feel special.
CHILL IN FRONT OF HER FAVE MOVIE
BUY FAB PERIOD UNDERWEAR
Go shopping for some awesome period underwear together! Luxurious undies can make you feel lovely when you might feel a bit bleurgh. Period undies come in lots of styles from boy leg to silky and lacy.
LUNAR CIRCLE
Create your own mini ceremonial circle.
Gather your mum, aunties, any female caregivers and ask your daughter to invite some close friends.
Create a centrepiece with leaves/flowers/crystals together.
Place cushions down and make it welcoming.
Brew some cacao/hot chocolate/tea and share some yummy snacks.
Gather around your centrepiece.
Invite the elders of the group to share how they felt when they got their first period. What would they wish your experience to be.
Craft/dance/play games to honour your transition towards womanhood.
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR PERIOD/MOON KIT
+ Reusable pads or period undies
+ Self care product (essential oil or lovely hand/face cream)
+ Journal (optional)
+ Wheatbag/Hot water bottle (optional)
+ Tracking calendar (optional)
+ Something soft/sensory for comfort (optional) 
BUY A STARTER KIT HERE
The best time is before your girl gets her first period.
Aim for lots of mini convos when she's 8-12yrs building info as she prepares naturally.
Girls get their period around 11-13yrs on average so earlier is better.
Slow, organic conversations allow her time to adjust to the idea of bleeding (cos that bit sounds scary to many girls) and what products to use when.
You can show her what products you use and chat about why you chose them
(ie: I choose tampons for swimming/sport and Period Undies because they're soooo comfy and easy to clean).
Create a Period or 'Moon' Kit together to take
to school/activities/sleepovers.
This will give you something
to do with your hands whilst chatting about periods! = less awkward.
It will also make her feel organised and less worried about surprises.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO COVER
Accurate anatomy and naming of parts matters.
Don't skip this bit!
It's just the way we're designed.
How you share information informs how she will feel about her body.
If you are fearful or really embarrassed your girl might wonder why our bodies are something to feel awkward about.
You can explain to her no-one helped you and it feels a bit funny but
LAUGH IT OFF TOGETHER!
You are changing the paradigm!
This is epic labour.
But you are both very capable.;)
CHAT ABOUT
THESE TOPICS IN BITE SIZED CHUNKS
like when you're fanging out on secret chocolate becasue you're premenstrual or have your period and she springs you or when you're shopping for clothes, driving or doing an acitivity together.
+ Purpose of periods
+ How we are cyclical - like nature has seasons and cycles
+ Her body is wise and her period will arrive when it's ready
This may before or after her friends and that is ok
+ Often the colour isn't red, it's brown with your first period
+ Flow is how heavy or light a period can be
+ You only lose about 3-4 tablespoons of blood
+ An average cycle is 28 days
+ You bleed between 3-7 days
+ You can still do sports/swim/dance/gym/yoga/have sleepovers etc
You just need the right products!
She will come to you with more questions when she's ready.
It's a lot to digest!
If she doesn't ask, let her know you're there if she is wondering about anything.
Nature has cycles in its seasons.
It renews itself as it changes and so do you.
A period (also called menstruation) is part of the natural process of a healthy female body.
The reason you get a period is to prepare your womb/uterus for a baby to grow in there (your body needs to practise for many years if you eventually want one.)
It’s a bit like a nest.
A period or menstrual cycle goes in 4 stages which last around 29 days.
Growing Phase
Your follicles (eggs) mature.
Release Phase
An egg is chosen and released down the fallopian tube and settles in the uterus.
Nesting Phase
Uterine lining thickens, making a little nest for a possible baby.
Shedding Phase
When the nest isn’t needed your body releases the blood which is your period. 
* You will have around 450 periods in your lifetime so it’s an awesome idea to make friends with this natural process.
* Period blood contains stem cells that can be used to regenerate heart and brain tissue. Amazing!
* Periods are a natural detox.
Every month, your body sheds any old blood and unnecessary tissue which your body no longer needs.
* By shedding this uterine lining, the body is able to conserve energy which helped our ancestors survive times when food was scarce.
* Every month, more than two billion people around the world menstruate. * Periods are a powerful signal reminding you to pay attention to your overall wellbeing, release what you don’t need and nurture what makes you feel healthy and supported. 
How you choose to experience your period is your choice and shouldn’t be governed by anyone else.
As you grow up it’s great to experiment with different products and ways of having your period.
You will find what works for you and feels best depending on where you are and what activity you’re doing.
YOUR PERIOD, YOUR PRODUCT CHOICE.
Most period products need a little trial and error to feel super comfy. 
Please note: lots of girls are worried about period products getting lost inside of them.
Our design is clever.
The cervix acts as a gateway to our womb.
It is super sensitive. If you've inserted a product a little far, it will let you know by feeling uncomfortable.
When inserted/used correctly, you won't feel them.
Period products CANNOT get lost inside of you!
PERIOD UNDIES
These are an awesome product to start with as they’re similar to normal undies. They have a special lining that catches and contains the blood.
BENEFITS
Period undies come in all sizes.
There are different absorbency levels for light/regular/heavy flow.
Cost effective.
Eco friendly – Period Undies are great for the environment because there’s less landfill being accumulated with disposables each month.
Washing machine friendly.
IDEAL FOR
Everyday activities except swimming (check out Period Swimwear for the beach or the pool).
REUSABLE PADS
These are also a great starter product.
They have velcro or studs that clip on to your undies.
BENEFITS
You can see when you need to change them.
You get to know your blood colour and what is normal for your body.
Reusables are great for the environment!
Cost effective
DISPOSABLE PADS
These are a good place to start when you first get your period as they stick onto your undies easily.
Not so great for the environment as they end up in landfill.
BENEFITS
You can see when you need to change them.
Easy to use.
Disposables are landfill, so wrap the used one in loo paper and discard in the bin. Never place in the toilet as it will cause a blockage!
BOTH IDEAL FOR
A starter product. Everyday wear.
(Not for swimming as the pad will absorb the water and the blood will leak out).
LINERS
Panty liners are thinner than pads.
They’re designed to soak up minimal blood or vaginal discharge (natural vaginal mucus).
BENEFITS
They’re easy to carry because they’re light and small.
IDEAL FOR
Light flow days
Around ovulation when you can get more vaginal discharge.
TAMPONS
These may seem daunting at first but they are versatile!
Getting the right angle for insertion is trial and error.
When it's correct you won't feel the tampon.
Applicator tampons are a good place to start.
The tampon is inside a cardboard tube.
You insert the tube and push the tampon into your vagina so don't have to use your fingers internally.
BENEFITS
You can do any sport with tampons in!
No sticky or nappy like feeling
Great for swimming
Easy to carry
IDEAL FOR
Sports
Swimming
Overnight
Yoga
Gymnastics
Dancing
MENSTRUAL CUP
An environmentally friendly option made of medical grade silicone or rubber. The cup is pinched then inserted in the vaginal canal where it opens out.
BENEFITS
They can hold more blood than other products.
You only need to change them every 6-12 hours depending on how heavy your flow is.
They sit slightly lower in vaginal canal which makes insertion easier.
Great for the environment.
You can also water your plants with what you catch!
IDEAL FOR
Sports
Swimming
Overnight
Yoga
Gymnastics
Dancing
MENSTRUAL DISC
This environmentally friendly option is also made of medical grade silicone or rubber.
BENEFITS
Some women say these are more comfortable than cups.
They hold the equivalent of 5 tampons (depending on your flow)
IDEAL FOR
Sports
Swimming
Overnight
Yoga
Gymnastics
Dancing
PERIOD MAT
Period Mats are reusable, waterproof and designed to absorb and contain menstrual blood.
IDEAL FOR
Heavy nights as added protection so blood doesn’t leak onto your sheets. They’re also good for light flow days/nights when you may not want to use anything and free bleed.
FREE BLEED
Free bleeding is having your period and not using menstrual products.
It is a form of menstrual activism that aims to destigmatise periods and challenge shame surrounding menstruation which is a normal function of the female body.
The Free Bleeding Movement has helped raise awareness about period poverty and highlighted the amount of products that end up in landfill.
IDEAL FOR
Feeling empowered and free.