@ Puberty starts earlier. No one knows why.

[basilosaurus]

May 22, 2022 5:56:18 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

May 19, 2022 14:14:51 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

I started my period in March of 5th grade (I was 11) back in 1997. I had breast buds in 3rd/4th grade. My twin sister didn't start hers for a few more years.

Please start puberty talk early for anyone with daughters! I thought I was dying for 3 days until I finally went to my mom. The menstruation movie & chat at school that only girls had to attend was May of 5th grade so too late for me.

I’d also say you should talk to your sons about menstruation as well.

Yes! Teach them that buying tampons or pads is a-ok. 

[Gato]

May 19, 2022 18:10:09 GMT -5 TR said:

May 19, 2022 16:58:44 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

I am paywalled. But I think we are evolving. Or maybe devolving. I think it is a trauma response.

I feel like delayed puberty would make more sense in that case. Like, the species trying NOT to procreate bc things are terrible. Like how extreme stress or illness can stop ovulation/menstruation.

The article talks about how trauma might be making periods come earlier.  The evolutionary logic is that a stressful world must be full of danger and earlier death.  If girls get periods earlier, their bodies have more chances to make babies.

[sonrisa]

May 22, 2022 8:55:18 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

My son will not be bleeding from his non existent vagina at 11.   

Sure. But he might see a girl who does.

I'm sure we all knew a girl who got her first period early in an embarrassing and public situation.

[basilosaurus]

May 22, 2022 22:58:24 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

May 22, 2022 8:55:18 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

My son will not be bleeding from his non existent vagina at 11.   

Sure. But he might see a girl who does.

I'm sure we all knew a girl who got her first period early in an embarrassing and public situation.

She wasn't even in my grade, and I knew all about it. It wasn't a small school.

And then I was that person as my "mom" only provided pantyliners initially. Yeah, that's not going to work on a teen.

[gardengal]

May 22, 2022 22:58:24 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

May 22, 2022 8:55:18 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

My son will not be bleeding from his non existent vagina at 11.   

Sure. But he might see a girl who does.

I'm sure we all knew a girl who got her first period early in an embarrassing and public situation.

Exactly. By people without vaginas knowing about female reproductive systems, they can better support people with those vaginas. Whether it’s discretely alerting a friend to a leak or, ya know, abortion rights

[macmars45]

I already said, yes I do talk to my DS(6) about menstruation. It seems like everyone is assuming I'm doubling down on adults not telling non menstruating kids about menstruating. I'm not. Yes we should end the stigma. Yes we should teach them to help and give them the tools to do so. Yes to all of that.

In my original post I was making a statement as to my own personal experience. I was highlighting that kids who will at some point menstruate should know early so they don't think they are dying. Period.

FWIW, I was the kid everyone came to in middle, junior high & high school if they were caught unaware and needed a pad or tampon. I always carried excess in my backpack to help anyone in need.

[picksthemusic]

May 22, 2022 9:53:30 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

May 22, 2022 5:56:18 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I’d also say you should talk to your sons about menstruation as well.

Yes! Teach them that buying tampons or pads is a-ok. 

DD talks about her period all the time, so DS (7) is quite aware and we intend to keep him aware, and compassionate to those around him who have periods and might need help sometimes. And to not make folks feel like there's something wrong with them or that it's bad or gross to have a period.