Shhh...

Oh God NO! I got my first monthly visit from Aunt Rose in 8th grade while I was babysitting. I recall it being a Friday night. I was ill prepared and ended up making due with a wad of toilet paper. When I got home, I was so mortified that I refused to tell anyone. I snuck a pad from the closet, and first thing the next morning, I walked 35 minutes to the store.

I spent a portion of my lunch money buying tampons at the store. I was afraid that if my mom noticed tampons and pads missing from the closet she'd question me about it. I was very private and insecure at that point in my life. I actually continued this pattern of hiding that I had my period until junior year in highschool when my little sister got hers. My mom made a fuss about her, she said she assumed I'd gotten mine, I said yes. She said ok, and that was it. In my mind I lucked out. I'm happy I didnt have a menarche or w/e their called. I handled it in my own way, and it worked for me.

I know having a period isn't a curse. I can openly talk about it now, but at that age, I just needed time to adjust to the idea. I didn't want all the attention and the fuss. If I have a daughter, I'd give her the information needed and her own stash of "girly stuff"... I wouldn't put any pressure on her to tell me. I can totally understand the need for privacy at such an important age, but I will be there if she ever needs to talk.