Ask the expert: Help my 10-yead-old is starting her periods

I know I should talk to my 10-year-old daughter about starting her periods, but what should I say?

It doesn't have to be a big 'sit down' chat - children are super-curious, so it's likely you'll get an opportunity to mention periods in a natural way in conversation. Just bear in mind your daughter's personality. Some young girls are very private and might prefer to visit a website to look at the facts, then come to you with any questions. Others might be happy chatting about it with you.

Make the conversation open, honest and free from shame. Telling your daughter about your own experience can be a good place to start for mums.

'Show her a range of sanitary products and talk her through how to use them'

Dads can reassure too - you don't have to have been through it yourself, you just have to let your daughter know you're there to talk to.

Avoid using euphemisms to describe periods, and steer away from negative language. Try and talk about menstruation in a positive way - you don't want her to see it as a burden.

Lastly, show her a range of sanitary products and talk her through how to use them, how often to change them, the amount of blood she'll produce. It's a good idea to have a stash in the house, so she knows she can find them if needed.

It might make you feel more confident to read up on the subject yourself beforehand too.

Teacher , head of RE and PSHE at the Pines SchoolJade Dalrymple

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