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When we have shared this ceremony with groups of women it is amazing how excited the women are to tell their stories about their first periods or other experiences they have had around menstruation. We have also heard many, many stories of the different ways women and girls have acknowledged the time of the first period. We would love to hear your stories and will post them on this webpage.
A friend of mine shared one of the funnier tales of a first period. Her mother had given her all of the information as to what to expect and she felt prepared. The day finally came and she told her mom and was just fine. A month later she came storming down the stairs absolutely furious with her mother. She did not recall being told it would happen again!!
There are so many ways to celebrate and honor a young woman's first period. Many women have shared how important these special acknowledgements were for them. A Mom named Sandi shares her special honoring of her daughter.
From a Mom named Sandi: Thanks for having this site. It is important to celebrate this time in our daughter's lives. When I was a child, we never talked about such an important happening. My daughter got her first period the day that my husband and I were celebrating out 18th anniversary by renewing our vows in a more-or-less ceremony at home. When she shared the news with me I told her that I would say a special prayer in her honor at the ceremony. It is a beautiful prayer that says "Thank you G-d for bringing us to this day" and we say it on special occasions. Only my husband, my daughter and I knew that this prayer was really dedicated to her. Our guests thought that it was in honor of our anniversary. I wish that I could have done more to honor this event, but this concept is quite new, and many girls are not comfortable going public with such a personal happening. By taking about this in women's groups, we can change this. Keep it up!! (I will be talking about this in my monthly women's group next week)
Something special to honor a young woman's first period has a life long impact.
A story from a young woman named Kait:
When I got my first period I was 14 years old. I was afraid to tell my mom
because we never talked about that "dreadful" subject. My mom eventually found
out by discovering my soiled underpants which I tried to hide in the closet.
She gave me a hug and kiss, told me not to worry and that I can always talk
to her about anything. The next day she brought home a cake and a silver moon-shaped
necklace with a blue stone in the middle to celebrate. I didn't feel nervous
anymore and I knew I could talk to my mom about anything.
We would love to hear your story about your first period. Girls all over the world love to read about the experience that other girls have. This is especially important for girls who don't have sisters or family with whom they can talk about menstruation with. Many girls have no one to talk to and are afraid of what will happen at the time of their first period. Your story could make a difference in the life of a girl. We would love to hear from Moms too. Your stories about your first period or stories about how you have honored or celebrated your daughter's first period.
Stories can be e-mailed to brooke@celebrategirls.com
If you have an event that you would like to mention here, please email: brooke@celebrategirls.com. I will happily display it. Be sure to put the city, state and country.