I found out I was menstruating after a disastrous ballet exam (which I failed). I was alone at home and called my mom for help. I learned how to use pads over the phone and found out I used the wrong ones 4 hours later after asking my mom why there's so much blood... Haha I guess everything was easier for me because I have an older sister. Even though I didn't know exactly what's going on, from daily interaction, I have a vague idea that I would bleed monthly. However, I don't exactly remember learning how to use pads in school. It was even sort of taboo to talk about it. Now that I think about it, that's kind of weird, especially since I went to an all girls school. Wouldn't think that teachers would openly talk about menstruation?
Found out today that there's something called leparcel where you get a box of supplies monthly for your period. You can customize the brand, type and amount of pads, tampons and liners you'd like. Isn't this cool? I would order it for my daughter as like a right of passage.
On a related topic, when did you learn about sex?
I honestly don't remember. Haha. I think there was an introduction to sex during our PSE lesson one time. But I don't exactly remember what we learnt then. I don't know how I learnt about sex nor do I remember how to protect myself. I'm lucky that my mom's pretty open about using protection, so from early on, I knew what condoms are and why we need to use them. I'm a big supporter of sex-ed and not abstinence only. Teenagers are at the stage of life where they're fearless and most curious. I think it's really important to let them know how to protect themselves rather than telling them just not to do it. What's the point of creating this whole 'elephant in the room' when they're going to try and find out by themselves anyway? Are parents really that naive to think that as long as they don't talk about it, kids will not find out?!
I think I'll start talking about sex with my kids when they're 5? I'll probably use this book along with it.
Ok, are those Ferrero Rocher chocolates?!?
ReplyDeleteBoth sex and menstruation are physiologically natural and yet incredibly taboo in a lot of societies. As a teen, most of my knowledge about these two things came from whispers and giggles at school and google. Because of the taboo nature of sex though I think it's important to have a sex ed expert teach the sex ed class(es). The average primary/secondary school teacher doesn't know the first thing about teaching sex ed.
-fi