First Period stories from Women Everywhere.
Tween girls can be a little dramatic about their first periods. Each girl might think she is the only one that has ever experienced this life changing event. However, we all know, it happens to every girl every where and no book helps understand this more than My Little Red Book by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff.
My Little Red Book is a collection of first period stories gathered from women of all ages the world over. Some of the women are famous, like Cecily von Ziegesar, the author of The It Girl and Gossip Girls book series, and Erica Jong, author of the best-selling novel Fear of Flying. However, many of the stories are from women just like you and me who had an experience that they vividly remember.
My favorite story is by Aliza Shvarts, a Yale graduate and conceptual artist. Her first period started while she was in seventh grade and she remembers the class watching a movie about the Ming Period in Chinese history. She had pain in her lower abdomen and decided it was either appendicitis or her period. Aliza talks about how she handled her period and the talk she had with her mother when she got home.
Many of the stories are from women who grew up in other countries and it is interesting to read about how menstruation is treated by different cultures. Once again we realize though that no matter what, each girl has the same first experience of seeing something in her underwear. Many who contributed stories to the book knew what that stain meant and many did not.
This would be a great book for you and your daughter to read together. I think it would be fun to take turns reading the stories out loud to each other and then discussing each one. And then take some time to explore the website. Rachel provides information on contributing to organizations that provide feminine hygiene supplies to girls in poor countries. This is one of many reasons that keeps girls home from school as they don’t have supplies each month for their period and therefore don’t leave the house.
Your daughter will definitely gain a greater appreciation for the common female experience of first periods when she is done reading this book.
I love the idea of this book my oldest daughter is 12 and at the age for this kind of stuff.
Hi Kimberly, thank you for your comment. The book is really good for all ages.
Would love to win this for my oldest granddaughter!
My first period came just before my 12th birthday. My mother was of the era where certain things weren’t discussed–ever. So I knew absolutely nothing! I started on a Monday and on Thursday my mother did laundry. She found my underwear and came to me and said “I see you’ve started”. My response was to ask “started what?”. Yep, I went to school for 4 days without wearing a pad or anything. I can’t imagine what I may have smelled like. And I guess I was really lucky that nothing ever leaked through my clothes!
Hi Beverly, I had that same experience, my mother did not discuss periods with me. I can’t imagine you going four days without pads though, an experience you obviously haven’t forgotten!
Every girl should have a book that discusses this, I remember mine called, Have you started yet? My Aunt gave it to me as my Mom had passed when I was only 11 and this helped soooo much! I’m sure this wasn’t is so much more up to date! 😀
Hi ToCo, I am going to have to look for that book – Have you started yet? I don’t think I’ve seen it before. Thanks for the tip.
My daughter is only 10 but this book will help me prepare her what’s to come.
Yolanda, thank you for your entry. I agree, this book would help your daughter be ready for her period.
What a lovely book. My daughter, at 9 1/2 is developing at a faster pace than her peers, and I keep thinking that I’m running out of time and one of these days it will happen and my basket of goods will not be ready for her. There is not as much as I had hoped to support her on this journey – but this is one of those things that would go into the basket.
Monika – what a great idea – a basket of goods. I hope other mothers see this post and do the same for their daughter.
My oldest daughter just turned 10 & has just noticed some body changes that thankfully she came to me to talk about! I would really love to share this book with her as I’m very disappointed in how our school system doesn’t acknowledge the fact that our children are maturing faster these days but yet they haven’t changed the grade of when they start to have those talks about their bodies, it’s not until the fifth grade here. I can’t even count on one hand the number of girls that are wearing bras because they need to! Luckily I’ve been open with ask my kids on their bodies.
Heather – I also think schools might be a little behind the times. Perhaps they too are overwhelmed with the way puberty seems to creep up on younger and younger children.
Would have been great to have when I was younger, now would be great for my 12-year-old
Hi Anna, thank you for your comment. This book would be great for 12 year olds, it is really written at their level.
This is such a great idea! Kinda makes me wanna start one myself with my family for my 9 year old. (10 this year) She’s growing faster then I expected and more knowledgeable then I’m prepared. Would love her to hear how other girls have gone through what she’s starting go through.
Hi Erin, thanks for your comment. Gathering stories from your own female relatives is a great way to prepare your daughter for her first period. And makes a wonderful family connection.
Congratulations Erin – You are the winner! I will contact you by email for your mailing address.