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Periods how

Dear Sam,
ok so I am 11 years old and I really want my period. I have had discharge for a year now and I have hair everywhere. How do I tell my mum that I need to start buying pads. At the moment I just have to put toilet paper in my underwear. It's very a. Annoying and I don't know how to tell my mum to get me some pads. I don't think she knows that I know what discharge. Also she said that we have to have the SEX TALK soon and she thinks that I don't know how a baby is made but I do. I find it hard talking to my mum about puberty so I usely talk to my friends. soon we have the puberty talk in school so I will get a chance to ask the school nurse some questions. THX XOXO P.S please don't put this on the website!
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Sam

Hi there,

The changes we notice as we go through puberty can feel really embarrassing when we first experience them. But actually, they are changes that show that we are healthy and developing as we should. It’s something that everyone goes through. Like anything that’s new, puberty can feel really scary until we get used to the changes it brings.

It’s likely that your mum will be aware that you are going to start your periods soon, as most girls start their periods between the ages of around 10 and 16. It’s likely to be something she will be expecting. It’s also something she’ll have experienced too. You don’t mention how well you get on with your mum, but it can still feel confusing to know where to start. Planning how you might talk to someone you trust can help you to feel more confident about bringing the subject up. 

Talking through your worries can really help. Whether you feel able to talk to your mum or not, there will always be someone here at ChildLine to listen. Puberty can feel embarrassing to talk about, but the message boards are a private place for young people to talk about their worries, and you will see that lots of girls talk about their periods here. You can also talk privately with a ChildLine counsellor.

Take care,
Sam

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