Menarche Ceremony

I was so embarassed when my first AF came around. I was 13 and luckily I got it at home and noticed right away so my embarrassment wasn't made public. I first told my uncle's girlfriend because my mother wasn't home, she was very cool about it and took me to the store and helped me pick out a box of tampons. But when my mom came home and I told her, she was so excited, I made her promise she wouldn't tell anyone. My mother is a professional cake decorator so the next day I came back from school and she had made a cake for me, thankfully it wasn't shaped like a tampon or anything! It was bad enough that my whole family knew it after they saw the Happy 1st Period cake in the kitchen!! Then, I got a call from my father in Florida and my great grandmother congratulating me on becoming a woman! I swear I could have just died. I know if I have a daughter, I won't call up our extended family to notify them or make her a cake!

In our tradition(i hail from India) its common practice to conduct a cermony for this occasion. I was 13, was in school. Came home from school and informed my mom. She called all our relatives(women) and also our neighbours ,prepared some sweets made with Til/flax seed for the occation. it was celebrated for 6 days. On 6th day a cermony was arranged (alomost like mini marriage) got gifts sweets and dresses etc. I felt bit embrassed first. But its a tradition in our culture.

I was 11 or 12 at basketball practice. I was shocked! I had to go back out to practice not sure what to do with myself. I was one of the 1st girls in my class to get her period. I told my mom in the car on the way home. Then later that evening I heard my mom telling my dad. I was so mortified that she would tell anyone! Looking back on it of course she would tell him. But you know young girls, it was embarrassing!

My aunts took me to Chili's a bought me a virgin Blood Mary. It was the most embarrasing day of my life but then again it is also the most memorable also!

My grandmother, who was for all intents my "mom", was with me when I started my period. She made me feel so grown up! We went shopping at Hinshaws, a fancy shop, and she bought me this beautiful grown up satin night gown. Nothing trashy, just very classy and beautiful. Then we went to a fancy restaraunt and she told me how much she loved me as a little girl and how much more she will love me as a young woman.
It was a very special day, and I am definitely going to do the same for my daughter, who should be starting very soon. She is almost 13.

I did not have a menarche party but i would like to have one for my child. I think it's important to pass on a little wisdom about periods and what better way to bond with a child. Now i think it should be private. Not a huge celebration but maybe a small dinner out. where you can talk.

I mean i didn't say a word to my mother when i got mine because my sister had gotten her's while we were at an amusement park...my mother had to ask her boyfriend for a quarter and he wouldn't hand it over till he knew what it was for so she reluctantly told him and as my sister came out of the bathroom He stuck out his hand to shake hands and congratulate her. My mother and sister were mortified. How embarrassing. I hope i don't embarrass my kids but am still able to pass on the knowledge.

I had no idea how to use a tampon and let me just say there is nothing like being in high school swim class and finding out you've put the tampon in the wrong spot while it inflates with pool water! I don't wish that on anyone least of all a daughter!