I'm not talking about sex, or reproduction, but all the other stuff that goes with it. Growing up, starting your period, going through "the change". ;)

My son has taken sex ed, and I have to say, the sex education courses where I live are very good. He and I have talked about all of it, and he's very well informed for his age. I'm not really worried that he doesn't know what to expect. He's asking lots of questions, and he's getting answers. He's not at all afraid to talk to me about it all.

My main concern, well, not really concern, is my daughter. She's 10. She's tall, she's thin, she's not developing yet, but she's at that age. It's coming soon. She'll be 11 in fall. She had that "talk" in school as well, so she knows what to expect, but I remember when I was her age and the school had the talk about menses, using a pad or tampon, and all the other wonderful stuff that comes with being female, and all I felt was fear and confusion. I didn't want to talk to my mom or dad about it.

I tried to sit with her and talk to her about it. Well, that didn't go well. To be fair, until my son turned 14, he didn't want to hear about it either. It's embarrassing, I get that, but with a girl it's better to embarrass and prepare, than to leave it and have it be a complete shock. I may not be able to wait until she's 14, because there's a good chance she'll need more info before then.

She's very emotional lately, cries at the drop of a hat, and all I can think is, "here it goes. This is the beginning".

So, when did you have the talk with your kids, especially daughters? Did you go out and buy pads and tampons just to have on hand? Did you discuss how to use them, what's happening in her body, before it happened, or did you wait for it to happen and then have the talk?

Like I said, she knows what to expect, but truthfully, I don't know if she really grasps that it happens to everyone, including her.

Hi Alty, good question. Unfortunately we had to start very early when my daughter was kicking her brothers, and cousins in the nuts at 5, and breasts budded at 9. Bra time. That was a long time ago, before sex education. No we didn't explain the birds and bees, only they were different.

My wife taught me to only answer questions, be honest, but keep it short, and let them ask another question. When they start stinkin' (11, 12, and for sure 13) though its too late, they already know more than you do, and you have to be totally straight.

Obviously I have no clue and pretty much do as I'm told when it comes to stuff like this.

LOL! Tal, I think most men let the moms handle the girl stuff. I think my husband would die of embarrassment if he had to explain periods to Syd. It would be funny to watch, but I doubt it would help either one of them.

Thanks for the advice. :)