Girls and Periods

I did a great talk last night with Dr. Jessica Gillooly. She's written a book, Before She Gets Her Period, a wonderful guide to guiding your girl through this change of life. Some tips from Jessica:

Girls do want to learn about their periods from their mothers - dad will do in a pinch!

Girls say they don't want the sex talk and the period talk at the same time.

They want to hear their mother's and grandmother's period stories.

The average US girl starts her period at 12 (+ or - 3 years).

Don't tell your daughter "You're a woman now!" because she isn't and she knows she isn't. Instead say something about she's entering adolescence or beginning the journey towards becoming a woman.

Girls like period celebrations when they happen, but will tell you not to hold one.

They want their dads to know, but don't want their dads to talk to them about it or even acknowledge that it's happened.