Hey Im's!
My kids go to Catholic school, I'm not catholic I just liked the back up of discipline as single working mum. Anyway my daughter is in year 5 so 10 Turning 11. They're doing Sex ed, personally no issue with that. But!! They were given a pad and a TAMPON! At this class.. a pad awesome, no issues but a tampon at this age? Firstly I think, kids are inquisitive and might want to try to insert it? Secondly I could be wrong but I'm sure they could do some damage none the less break their hymen which would be against catholic beliefs ect . What do you all think? I'm never one to approach the principal. Cause I'm the "bad mum" lol as far as the pretend to be good mums go. But I actually think this is something concerning ? What do you all think?
Tampons being provided at school to a 10 year old
Tampons being provided at school to a 10 year old
Posted in:
Sisterhood Stories, Kids, Teenagers, Puberty
22 Replies
I think you are over reacting. I think you need to understand that the hymen can be broken in a lot of different ways and many girls won't have an intact hymen by the time they get a period, or even before there period.
I personally am not a huge fan of tampons, but I have no problems with a 10 year old using one especially if they are swimming/ballet/gymnastics etc.
further to breaking the hymen you have to push the tampon up very high in order to break it. I was using tampons for years before I broke mine having sex for the first time. Most people would experience some pain and stop inserting it!
I am glad they are offering tampons and it would be great to see a menstrual cup too.
I started my period at 11.
PS using tampons is not against catholic principles. I am a catholic. Using a tampon is not the same as loosjng your virginity.
I think this is brilliant. When I was growing up my mum always made tampons out to be something dirty or even slutty, then I had the puberty/sex ed class and was enlightened to the wide variety of wonderful feminine hygiene products available and to be told it was entirely my choice as to what products I used was invaluable as a young woman.
The school is doing a great thing with this, it's encouraging bodily autonomy and knowledge. That's never a bad thing (and considering what the Catholic sex ed used to consist of, this is a massive step in the right direction).
I'm sure this probably caught you off guard but this opens up an opportunity to talk openly with your daughter about these things. You can let her know you feel she's too young to use them but you'll support her decision either way, discuss the risks of tampon use etc.
Don't stress mama x
I actually think this is a great idea and wish all schools would do this.
I think you are totally over reacting. They are showing the girls the whole story. My kids school (not catholic) gave out the same and not once had my girls tried inserting a tampon at that age. They were honestly too embarassed/shy/modest.
Personally I think this is great. My mum was of the opinion of a pad would be enough but for me it wasn't - I'd be changing it constantly and often leaked through which as a young teen was awful. Better to learn and be prepared and have proper knowledge of their options
This is not a new thing. When I was in Year 6 in 1980 at a catholic school we were given pads & tanpons in sex Ed. I think you are over reacting.
It’s a tampon. Some of those kids are going to need to use them whether it be for swimming or another reason. Totally normal and you’re overreacting.
I went through the catholic system, we were shown tampons in year 5 30 years ago, just to show us the options we had
I used them in high school, the right size is fine for virgins
I think they are educating young girls on periods...
They aren't doing anything wrong.
I think it's flipping awesome. Kids as young as 10 and younger are getting their periods and they should be familiar with the options for protecting their clothing/catching the blood. Not a great idea to try to put one in without having a period (just from a perspective that it can create cuts in the vagina and potentially introduce TSS bacteria) but I remember trying to when I was young! Hymens get broken waaaay before they have sex for the first time and the intactness of the hymen does not equate virginity!!
I think you need to address your own feelings around this to be honest. Periods are not a source of shame and your child should be able to feel that she can speak to you about this. She could be only a year or so away from getting hers.
I agree!
My mum was so embarrassed and nervous about talking about periods, pads and tampons, i didnt use a tampon until I was 22 and had a baby!! I didnt even know how or which ones to buy or anything about them!
I felt embarrassed because I knew all my friends used them and they would often comment how gross pads were (for a young teenager everything bothers you lol) and I was too scared to even try using them.
I actually remember the first time I decided to use tampons. I was so friggen scared it would get stuck. But I tried and never lookee back. I just wish I'd been educated about them earlier and hadnt felt embarrassed about them.
I am a teacher who has given out a pack to girls in years 4/5/6 that had samples pads and tampons, we even did the old tampon in the glass of water demo to show how it works. The pack is given with a whole series of lessons about what is going on in girls bodies as they reach puberty.
I personally got my first period at 9 years old, so while some may think year 4 is too young it really isn't...
I think girls need to have a look at this stuff for themselves, pull it apart, have a laugh with it, take the scariness which can accompany all the changes that are happening away.
Catholics are traditionally against any form of contraception so you should be grateful that they're more progressive in that sense.
Hymens can be broken from playing sport so unless you restrict their activities, chances are that it will break before puberty.
Giving them a tampon in a sex ed class is wonderful as it has started a dialogue between you and your daughter(s). Just remember to tell them that trying to put one in when she doesn't have a period may be extremely uncomfortable.
Well done to your school
Also, I met a mother who was trying to buy pads for her 8 year old as her period had started. So no, it's not too young for education.
I don't like tampons or cups for young girls. I hate the pad but at around 10/11 I am not a fan of those products. So many want to push girls into using them and make out those who choose not to are the odd ones. What ever works for your own family.
When my girls get their periods I would prefer they use pads too but if they would rather tampons (diva cups, whatever) I will whole heartedly support that choice because I think it's really hypocritical to teach our children that their body is theirs or about bodily autonomy and then dictate to them about which hygiene products they can use.
Is this serious?! Most ridiculous concern ever!
So I must be super out there, my girls know all about periods tampons etc and they are 8 &6, if they ask a questions I answer, then miss 8 took tampons to school and was a telling all the kids at school about them (that bit in wasn't impressed with, however the parents who let me know she was on the money with her facts) knowledge is power. And the hymen thing is a tad silly nothing sexual about sanitary products
Not super out there at all. My daughter has a "period wallet" where I keep pads, tampons and spare undies in case she gets her period. She's had it in her bag since she was 7. She is 9 next year.
Wow just wow. What a stupid response to have to something that is normal. Better to learn about it in class than hear it from god knows who in the play ground. You need to read what you wrote again and see how ridiculous it is. As all the responders to your post have pointed out.
I got my period when i was 10... i used tampons from the beginning and my hymen broke when i first had sex. I think it is great to get as much education about this kind of stuff as possible