For many people, menstruation used to be a taboo topic. Young girls were told about ‘that time of the month’ by their moms in hush-hush tones and young boys were sometimes kept out of the conversation. But not anymore. New-age mothers aren’t embarrassed about explaining the concept of periods to their sons. In fact, they think it is important for them to have the right information from the right source.
Writer and mom Franki Cookney recently described her 3-year-old son’s reaction when she explained menstruation to him and how well he took it.
So I told my 3yo about periods today. He asked why there was a bit of red in the loo and I thought about fobbing him off but then was like… why lie? He knows (at a rudimentary preschool level) how the digestive system works. Why can't I explain this? So I did.
— Franki Cookney (@FrankiCookney) March 4, 2021
And it was basically fine. I kept it as simple as I could and he seemed to take it on board. And we had a good old giggle about how you defs wouldn’t want a baby *every* month cuz “that would be soooo many!”
— Franki Cookney (@FrankiCookney) March 4, 2021
This led to many other moms sharing their own experiences. Some of them said that the kids understood quickly and were very chilled out about it.
Yes! My son is 13 now, but I was always open about my periods. When he was 8 he yelled at me down a store aisle “mom the pads you like are on sale, you want some?” I REFUSE to have my son think there’s something dirty or wrong with periods!! pic.twitter.com/ruqVD3cunl
— EriKa (@nectarpuff) March 4, 2021
Yes!l Kids that age are pretty matter of fact about this stuff! I remember telling my son (when he asked whilst we were waiting for his karate lesson 🤦♀️),I did the period bit, he nodded, shrugged and tottered off to his class!! It’s brilliant to make the conversation normal!
— thewellhq (@thewellhq) March 4, 2021
We did something similar with our 7 year old. He was totally chilled about it
— Michelle Gyimah (@EqualityPays) March 4, 2021
My boys were always fascinated by tampons when they were small, esp when we shared a loo when out and about, they were happy to know about periods
— Samantha Evans💙 (@SamTalksSex) March 4, 2021
A few revealed that their kids were very concerned about how painful periods could be.
We had the exact same question this week from my soon-to-be 4yo and I did the same 🙂 very undramatic though we had talked about it a bit before as well. He was briefly worried I needed help, bless him.
— Catriona (@catrionacurator) March 4, 2021
Huh. Interesting. Mine started crying because he thought I was going to die. I just told him it’s something that happens to women and that I was fine. Maybe I should have explained better!
— Elizabeth Rust (@ElizRust) March 4, 2021
Twitter applauded these moms and remarked that this is what good parenting looks like.
As menstrual hygiene champion, breaking the stereotypes and wrong perception around period especially.. It’s dirty, female matter, taboos… Let talk about period
— Iroegbu Daniel Ifegw (@dannyogwo) March 4, 2021
100% fantastic. I really admire and respect. Periods aren’t something to hide – they are part of being a woman and I will never be ashamed to say I am on my period.
— Sophie Boddington-Hucker (@sophie_hucker) March 4, 2021
Don’t treat kids as if they can’t handle reality — look at this thread and tell me again that children can’t handle health, sex, and/or queer conversations. https://t.co/4xYaqcqt8p
— Em (@LiterateElf) March 4, 2021
Periods are completely normal and the only way they are going to stop being a taboo topic is if all of us speak openly about them.