I remember menarche for me being a generally positive experience.
There was the horror at starting my period while at church camp in Florida. We stayed in a hotel on the beach with daily free time in the hotel pool and in the ocean. I was glad that my mom was there as a camp counsellor. She reacted with calm and encouragement that made it less horrible for me. I was also rooming with a dear friend who helped me figure out tampons.
The horror was not shame related but more in relation to the unknown and lack of experience. I knew enough to know that it would happen, but since my mom had a hysterectomy shortly after I was born, I had no memory of seeing her deal with menses or really talking about it much.
I remember my mom telling me that I was becoming a woman and I remember her support and love. I had forgotten this... thanks for the opportunity to remember.
3 comments:
It is so great that your experience was so positive. I was much older and kind of indifferent about the whole experience. Most of my friends had already been experiencing their period for a good while before me. The memories and reading everyone elses blogs can give us really good perspective on how to keep this a positive experience for our own children.
Jenn
I had a positive experience as well. I remember my mother giving me a hug and asking me questions about it. It's good to know that you had a postive experience as well.
I think it's wonderful that you had such a good experience with "becoming a woman"! I hope I can be that for my girls! Coming for a house that never talked about anything sexual or "womanly" I can appreciate your good experience! I only wish that all girls could have a positive experience because it is something that needs to celebrated and embraced!
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