View Full Version : How to explain a period to a 8 year old
twinsplusanother
Dec 2, 2009, 06:36 PM
I have been marking on a calendar every month when my daughter is having stomach pain. It has been 20 days since the last pain. She rolls up into a ball and screams at the top of her lungs. I know I was like that when I first got my period but I was 13 how would I explain to her this is might be it. I know everyone is different and it doesn't matter how old you are. She has been having these pains now for about a year and I have taken her to the doctor and they say nothing is "wrong"
Any help would be good.
Thanks
Fr_Chuck
Dec 2, 2009, 06:54 PM
You merely explain it exactly for what it is. 8 year olds are not stupid and if they go to public school they have already been introduced to what sex is normally. Many school kids as young as 11 and 12 regually have sex now adays, so 8 is when the sex talks really need to start anyway.
Mistique
Dec 2, 2009, 07:53 PM
You took her to the doctor and the doctor say's nothing is wrong. If it was me and my daughter I would be getting full blood tests and a ultra sound just to be sure. Did the Doctor indicate that it may be menstruation? If your Doctor confirmed that there is no medical issue then I would introduce the idea - just like shaving legs.
Spend a woman's day with her... start out with shopping, or a day at the spa. Make her feel comfortable and be very simple in approach (as you know)... we don't want to start talking about how we hate it, you get a clean break for two weeks out of the month before you PMS for a week, then bleed for the next... it should be relaxed... buy her pads, tell/show her how to use them - explain that blood is normal (strawberry red) and she will have it once in a while (or blue moon) until her body menstruates more regularly. You know!
I would also find out from the Doctor what pain medication to use to assist her (Advil probably being the best - anti-inflammatory/pain medication).
Gemini54
Dec 3, 2009, 01:04 AM
I don't think that this needs to be a 'sex talk'.
This just needs to be a conversation when you explain about periods and what she might need to do soon to manage them.
I'd tell her about your experience (even though you were older). Kids really like that.
I agree that you should ensure that nothing else is amiss.
Time for a second opinion. I personally, as a nurse, do not think this has anything to do with her period. If it did, she would be bleeding. Since she is not, you need to have her looked at by another doctor.