She got her period earlier today. She came and told me this evening. I think she is a bit excited and a bit worried about it. She thinks having a pad on feels weird, which it kind of does!

Fortunately, this is a good time for it. She goes away to church camp at the end of June, so much better to have her period now than at the end of the month!

She was reading the book, Growing Up: It's a Girl Thing before she went to bed tonight. Now that it's happened, I think she wanted to read about it again.

By Texannie on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 - 11:34 pm:

Congrats! What are you going to do to celebrate? I have a butterfly charm for my dd when she starts.

By Emily7 on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 - 11:50 pm:

Does anyone remember the book Are You There God Its Me Margaret?
I was a very late bloomer, I didn't have mine until the summer before I started 9th grade. I was so happy for about a day.
I never thought of celebrating it, I just went to the store with my mom. A butterfly is a really beautiful symbol of becomming a woman.
Congratulations to your daughter.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 - 11:52 pm:

I have no idea! Never really thought about that. I'm chaperoning on her trip to the zoo tomorrow, so that is kind of special. Will have to think of something to do. Don't have much time tomorrow. Zoo all day, then work at 4pm!

By Texannie on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 12:02 am:

You can do something special this weekend. Have "woman's day!!!"

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 01:34 am:

LOL! We are going to visit my parents this weekend, so not really time for that. Maybe on Monday.

By Eve on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 06:44 am:

I saw this Website, I wish I could remember. They had the best basket for your DD. It had a heart shaped water bottle and a book and pads. It was CUTE. I want the heart shaped water bottle myself!! How exciting! Oh, I say make your own basket with a water bottle, pads, and chocolate!

By Dana on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 07:28 am:

Trina would vote for the chocolates in a basket.

A little gift basket is a nice idea.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 07:45 am:

That might be a thought.

By Children03 on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 07:46 am:

kotex.com is a neat site.

By Eve on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 08:19 am:

I wish I could find that Website! I did find this though. It's ADORABLE! I want one myself!

http://www.yougota.com/browseproducts/Heart-Shaped-Hot-Water-Bottle!.html

By Melana on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 08:40 am:

my mom did a Welcome to Womanhood dinner, she took me to my favorite restaraunt and then baught me a new outfit. I enjoyed that a lot.

By Jelygu on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 10:29 am:

Emily, I loved Are You There God, It's Me Margaret!
I Welcome to Womanhood dinner thing the best... and every girl loves a new outfit!

By Bellajoe on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 11:00 am:

I didn't know people really celebrated the fact that they got their period. It's a nice way to celebrate their "womanhood".

My mom didn't even talk to me about that stuff. I am embarrassed to say this but when i got my period i was actually nervous to tell my mom (as if she would be mad at me or something!) My best friend at the time actually helped me write my mom a letter telling her I got my period. How queer is that! LOL I am the third and youngest girl in the family, so there was no pomp and circumstance to celebrate my womanhood LOL. She just took me shopping for pads and told me what to take if I got cramps.

By Children03 on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 11:03 am:

I didn't know people celebrated getting their periods either, but I think it is a good idea especially since I will go through it threes time with my three daughters. I have a while though.

By Kate on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 11:06 am:

I hope she doesn't read this message board, Dawn! I would never have forgiven my mother if she had announced this to any of her friends! I'd have been hurt, embarrassed, and eternally mortified. Maybe that's just me, but I wanted to put it out there in case she reads over your shoulder and is the sensitive type.

By Texannie on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 11:19 am:

I think one reason people do celebrate is because it was treated as such a bad, dirty or secret thing with so much misinformation. I agree it's very personal and shouldn't be announced to the world or even brothers ;), but it is a major milestone in a young girl's life.

By Emily7 on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 12:30 pm:

I think I would rather celebrate it than never mention it. I agree though that it is something that should not be mentioned to others in the house. My brother made fun of me. He over heard my Mom & I talking. But I think it is okay that Dawn brought it here. We won't run to her house & make fun of the poor girl.

By Saritabeth on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 01:03 pm:

Anyone read "The Red Tent"? I LOVED that book...its a fictional book about some old testament women and there is a lot of talk about the women all going to the Red Tent during their periods. I wanna go to the red tent!

I think the right of passage to womenhood and fertility is something to be celebrated. I too, was embaressed when i got mine....the first day of 8th grade....rather cruel!

Being a women is so great...I wish our culture didnt try to make us feel dirty because our bodies do what they were created to do. I think a special Mother daughter bonding with lots of girl stuff would be a great way to celebrate...that way she doesnt feel exposed to the whole family, but the women can celebrate her womanhood.
I hope I can celebrate my daughter when the time comes with out making her uncomfortable...its a nice thing to share as moms and daughters.

By Vbw1978 on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 01:46 pm:

CONGRATS

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 01:51 pm:

For your DD...



Welcome to one of the biggest clubs in the world... Womanhood!

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 10:12 pm:

She doesn't know this thread exists! LOL! When I got my period, my friend called during supper to ask if I had told my mom yet. They all wanted to know why she called and wouldn't accept my hedged answers! I had to tell the whole family during dinner. I was so embarrassed! LOL! I was going to tell my mom after supper.

By Boxzgrl on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 06:34 pm:

LOL! I started in the middle of Spanish Class in 9th grade!! Luckily enough I made it to the bathroom in time. I was embarrassed to tell my Mom so I waited 2 days. The only reason I told her when I did was b/c when I was little she said when I started my period I didnt have to go to school that day. Well that particular day I woke up late and had to come up with an excuse to tell my Mom. Needless to say, every woman in my family(extended and all) knew by the end of the day! I hope I dont do that to DD!

Congrats to your daughter! Shes officially a Woman!