| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/29/2008 9:27:32 PM | I've got a 12 year old daughter that told me today she wanted to use tampons. Mainly because tomorrow is a pool party at school. Her Mom didn't use them, so I never had to even buy a box before.
My first thought is to tell her sorry, but no. Not until you can get some instruction in proper use. Of course, she tells me "I know how to put one on". I may not know much about tampons, but I do know "on" is not the proper word to use when describing the proper application of a tampon.
Any suggestions out there. | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/29/2008 9:42:29 PM | | Well, every box of tampons comes with instructions on how to insert it properly, and the warnings of using them. So maybe if you tell her to read the directions before using them there shouldn't be a problem. | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/29/2008 9:45:56 PM | Do you have a mom, or sister, or other female relative that can help her????
They do make (ok haven't had to use that isle in a pretty long while) small for younger girls her age... Believe me, if all else fails she has gf that can help her out...
If all else, let her and her GF's mom, go to the store and give her the money...
It's tough enough being a female that age having periods, let alone not being able to go swimming because dad nixed the tampons... | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/29/2008 9:57:19 PM | | Oh, don't give her a complex and let her use the darn things...She might decide she does not want to after all, but let her have that freedom to at least try. | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/29/2008 10:12:54 PM | please don't tell her no....lol....
i was afraid of them at first. and one day my sister took me to wonderland and as soon as we got through the gates....she said "im not walking around with you sounding like you are wearing a diaper and pulling out your wedgies all day" and she took me to the bathroom and made me try a tampon....oh to be 12 again....
 thanks big sis!!!!
yes, try and see if there is a female friend/relative whom she is comfortable with to help her out. if not, and she asks you for help...sit and talk with her first. explain how it doesn't go "on"...lol...
suck it up and take her to the store. even if she doesn't wanna be seen with you, at least tell her she can talk to a pharmacist or something. (sometimes they're nicer then the other employees in regards to this matter). good luck!!!! | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/29/2008 10:27:02 PM | I just had a flash back...
It was high school, we're cheerleaders and my friend has her period and her parents won't let her "use" a tampon. She brought one to the game, (who would want to cheerlead with a freaking log between your legs. We all know the boys are trying hard to get a peep!) and asked me to go into the stall and walk her through it. I did, of course! The two of us squished into a bathroom stall at Chatsworth High School and I taught her how to do this.
Now, I think to myself... is this how I want my daughter to learn how to use a tampon? Hell no!
Please, I know you don't understand... maybe you should try wearing a pad for a day???
or missing a pool party because you have your period?
or going to the party and have everyone wondering why you aren't going into the pool?
Make sure she is informed, get someone you both trust to "help her out" (if she needs it) and let life happen.
She will respect you for respecting her. Choose your battles, you'll never win this one. Because, I really don't think you'll be checking
Peace | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 12:23:22 AM | | Oh Boy, what a thing to have to deal with...You are my hero at the moment, what a great dad. I would suggest perhaps a sister or your mom, her grandma, could help you out?? Good luck.. | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 2:04:32 AM | | If there are no females available to assist your daughter, I would like to recommend a brand called o.b. | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 2:30:10 AM | It really isn't a big deal. I started using them at the age of 12, and so did my 3 daughters(Without any help. It was very clear where they went.). On might not be the exact word, but I am sure she will figure it out. Maybe she just didn't want to get into the details of where they go with her dad.
Just go buy her a box of the smaller size, and leave them where she can find them. | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 5:10:19 AM | Just to be clear, I don't have a problem with her using them. My concern was over proper education regarding their use. The last thing I want her to do is hurt herself or improperly insert the thing, go swimming and suddenly have an accident.
I'm just frustrated she brought this up the night before the event rather than 3 days ago when it started. Or even better, last summer. | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 5:52:41 AM | There aren't too many ways to improperly insert the thing  ...but safety can be a concern. It might not be a comfortable conversation, but in every box there is info about Toxic Shock Syndrome. You 2 should probably go over that together to make sure she knows although rare, it can happen. Also, remind her that she needs to remove the last one at the end of her period (When I worked in the ER, we would get someone every now and then that had forgotten...this is usually when we saw TSS symptoms to be honest).
Good luck today! | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 6:35:02 AM | I'm with the poster who mentioned the instructions in the box. That's really the best way to learn how to put a tampon in . . and also to learn about Toxic Shock Syndrome and understanding the importance of how frequently to change tampons.
Despite the fact that I have 4 sisters and a mom - nobody ever taught me or showed me how to put a tampon in. But they were in the house. And from the very first day I started my period, I have always used tampons. I can't stand pads. Yuck. The only time I've ever used a pad is if I started my period at someone else's house and they only had pads. But I was always an active person - played sports all-year round and swam. There was no way I was ever going to be wearing a big fat pad between my legs.
So - go buy her some tampons so they are in the house (not sure of how she earns spending money - but tampons aren't totally cheap). And tell her how she needs to dispose of them so they don't clog up your toilets. Some toilets are so powerful that they can even handle flushing the applicators. Some aren't even powerful enough (or they have a septic tank) and so the actual tampon should be thrown away, rather than flushed. | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 7:44:35 AM |
I'm just frustrated she brought this up the night before the event rather than 3 days ago when it started. Or even better, last summer.
 Patience dad, try and remember she still is young, and thinking that far ahead as to how to take care of this annoying thing called a period, and what horrific purpose it has is not forefront to her sweet mind. Be glad she didn't ask hours before.
With that said, the one poster said OB, those work well for some, then there are tampax..
I wouldn't suggest the playtex one, simply because they have this "blooming action" which I can promise you that is a very good way to break the hymen trying to pull the freaking thing out once full saturated.
Since today is the pool party all things are well, and she has a good time...
Hopefully at three days into a period she will be almost done, unless she has the misfortune of being a heavy bleeder. What would be good is to remind her once the party is over to make sure to change, soaking up a bit of pool water can cause bacterial issues if the pool isn't properly treated, and is just good female hygiene.
Good luck
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 7:52:19 AM |
not sure of how she earns spending money - but tampons aren't totally cheap
Seriously....you would make a 12-year-old buy her own? This is a parent's responsibility until she's an adult out of the house!!
Go daddy....buy her a box and let her work with it. She may waste a few learning how, but that's no big deal. Just so she doesn't flush them all at once.....LOL.
OH - and are you sure she hasn't used them already? | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 3:08:39 PM | | Right on Dad... I thought you were worried about the whole... "will she still be a virgin" thing. Rock on. Buy her a box, let her read, and let her enjoy! | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 3:42:46 PM |
Right on Dad... I thought you were worried about the whole... "will she still be a virgin" thing. Rock on. Buy her a box, let her read, and let her enjoy!
That is funny! Actually, the chastity belt is taking care of that! Along with the shotgun backup. | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 3:56:53 PM |
That is funny! Actually, the chastity belt is taking care of that! Along with the shotgun backup.
^^^Ahahaha... you ROCK dad!! | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 5:15:08 PM | So? What's the verdict? Is she free from the pad?
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/30/2008 5:32:35 PM | Tampons are perfectly safe & ok, but it is very important that you read the safety instructions with her.
Some people still forget or leave them in for too long & the possibility of toxic shock syndrome, is still there. | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/31/2008 2:14:48 AM | | There are instructions in every box. Get the small sized ones...regular, I think. She will not get it right the first time, probably, but she will figure it out on her own or with help eventually. Do mention the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, but expect rolling eyes :) | |
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~Kyn~
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Joined: 2/15/2008
Msg: 21 | |
| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/31/2008 2:31:41 AM | Well its the day after by my clock...and since you havent posted anything further...
...here's my 10 cents worth for future reference.
Buy her the "Mini" sized tampons with the self applicator. Even regular sized tampons are likely too big for her.
Now since you dont know...the self applicator isnt like a guided missile thats gotta find its target without pointing it in the right direction.
But she's not likely to miss and get it in the wrong place anyway.
The whole idea behind the applicator is to aid with the actual insertion because the tampon needs to be pushed up and into the vagina before its held in place by muscles.
By using the applicator...she still has to insert *it*....but the tampon is pushed up through the tube and into the canal rather than her having to use her own fingers which she might feel funny about cos its a little invasive.
Buy them for her regardless of whether she made it to the pool party cos she's gonna need them anyway at some point...
Let her read the directions herself and tell her that from what other ladies told you...it may take a little practice.
When its inserted correctly...she wont notice its there at all.<< thats how she'll know its in properly
Oh and things like "accidents" do cross a little lady's mind...so often board shorts to wear over the top of bathing costumes in a dark color will give her the discretion she's looking for till she's comfortable with tampon use.
Do all this before her next pool party/gym class
OH and dont stop buying her pads....cos she should still wear them at night instead of tampons.
Decreases the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome...cos tampons that are left in too long are one of the major causes. | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/31/2008 6:20:37 AM | LOLOLOL..you are the BEST!!!
First, we all want to know...did she get to the pool party???
My 11 year old started her period this year (good lord they're young).
I'll tell you, she probably agonized over talking to her dad about this for a week prior to the party, and finally in desperation she talked to you the night before. Poor kid...LOL..poor dad...
Somehow I get the feeling that you're both going to do just fine.
Peace and Blessings | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/31/2008 9:01:24 AM | To answer all the questions. Yes, she went to the pool party. Yes, we got a box of tampons. Yes, she swam. So I guess we batted 1.000!
It was nice to have a thread on here that doesn't focus on "bad parents", "why don't guys/girls want to date a girl/guy that is a single parent", or "who has it worse single parents or 'part time' parents" (I hate that phrase). | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/31/2008 9:11:32 AM |
It was nice to have a thread on here that doesn't focus on "bad parents", "why don't guys/girls want to date a girl/guy that is a single parent", or "who has it worse single parents or 'part time' parents" (I hate that phrase).
I think the subject scared them off.....wimps!!! 
I'm glad your daughter got it all worked out, she's probably so happy she was able to go and not be all self conscience about it! I'll never forget the first time I swam with a tampon in.....I was like AHHHH FREEDOM!!!!!
Good job Dad  | |
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| Tweens & Tampons
Posted: 5/31/2008 10:21:26 AM | Your daughter is probably able to figure out how to use them, as it is pretty clear. However my daughter had a little trouble with cardboard applicators and needed the slim plastic ones designed especially for junior girls.
Please however make SURE she understands the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome and knows to change them regulary. Not a comfortable topic for you or her I am sure but just be matter-of-fact about it, kind of helps with embarrassment!
Good luck Dad! | |
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