How to talk with boys about the periods of their siblings

If your daughter is aged between 8-12, you have probably spoken to her about periods. What to do when she arrives. It’s important that your boys understand when their sibling has their period and how they can best approach it. How should parents explain menstrual cycle to their boys?

Depending on the age of your children, they might already know what a period is. They may also know what to do and not do in order to support their sibling. It doesn’t matter if they have learned about menstrual cycles in school, or viewed TikToks and television shows about it, it can still be an awkward conversation with your son.

Experts agree that it is important to have a period conversation with your son or daughter, regardless of discomfort or awkwardness. How can you best talk about periods with your child? Yahoo Life asked parents and therapists for advice on how to discuss menstruation without making it scary or frightening for both of you.

Teach your son about the menstrual cycle

Michelle Felder is a licensed clinical social worker from and therapist. Parenting PathfindersAccording to, it is important to have an honest and open conversation with your son about what a periods is and why it occurs.

Felder states, “I encourage parents and caregivers to be honest, truthful, and open about the changes that can occur to any body as it develops,” and then to talk about the changes that usually occur to a person given a gender at birth and a person given a male at birth.

Felder believes that while you can have the conversation using information from your entire life, there are online resources to help you explain. what it means to have a period A tween can understand these terms, and so on. informative videos YouTube

Conversations about menstruation don’t need to be long. Carinne Saini Chambers is the founder of a menstrual product company DivaAccording to, a simple way to provide children with the information they need is to simply say, “It’s a monthly cleaning process for the body, to keep the uterus clean, so that one day a child could grow, if she chooses to.”

Encourage empathy and understanding within the household

It’s possible that your son doesn’t fully grasp what it is like for your daughter when she starts her period. Dr. Sophia Yen is the co-founder of and chief executive officer at Pandia HealthExplains that the monthly cycle of a woman who is having a period can sometimes be very painful. embarrassing … If They bleed through their clothes and stain their sheets.

Felder says, “Regardless of whether your child was born with male or female siblings, it is important that they empathize and understand what their sibling goes through.” “Puberty can bring about a lot of changes, so it’s important to understand that there are many ways to experience it.

“Hopefully, having that perspective can help your other children increase their level of empathy understanding and compassion for their sibling’s struggles,” she says.

Answer questions honestly, and be open to discussion

It is possible that your son will have questions about periods. That’s completely normal. Be as transparent as possible. Saini-Chambers says, “Whenever one of my children would ask me questions about bodies we would have mini conversations. We would just keep it super calmed and factual.” “I never said such things.” That’s not your business! Oder That’s not something to worry about.

Christina Mann Karaba, mother of two, said that conversations about periods weren’t just a one-off affair. She says that her son knew about periods through open discussion.

Mann Karaba used a similar strategy to Saini Chambers when answering her son’s question about periods. “We are a very open and honest family,” she said. “I always answer his questions in an age-appropriate, truthful way.”

Examples of what you should not say

It is easy for your sons to say Oh, she must be so grouchy that she’s on her period Oder She is on her period and she’s so mad at her.Experts warn that this is a great opportunity to challenge the negative stereotypes men have about menstruation.

“Tell your son to avoid blaming anything on their period — not their mood, lateness, frustration — nothing,” says Felder. “They should never ask.” Are you having your period? It’s a way to understand someone’s mood.

Felder explains, “Asking a question like…” Is this your period? It is not only intrusive, but also ignores the fact there are many factors that could be influencing how someone behaves or pays.

You can also teach non-menstruating children in your house to avoid using common phrases such as Stop being dramatic That’s just gross!.

Felder says that as a rule, siblings should allow the person who is having their period to decide when and if they will talk about it. Felder also warns that any embarrassment, shame, or concern around normal bodily functions should be avoided.

Your son might be able to help you in other ways

While your son might not be able understand the gravity, your child will likely be willing to help and support their sister.

Felder says that everyone experiences their period differently so it’s difficult to know what to say. It can be helpful to ask. Do you have anything else?

Discuss with your child the helpful things you can give to your siblings during your period.

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