How to Prepare Your Daughter for Her First Cycle (A Practical Guide)

I prepared Banvoa for her first cycle by having what I called a Flowering Party. I did not want her to fear her first flowering, knowing it was coming but not knowing when. The purpose of the Flowering Party is to encourage the young girl not to be afraid of her menstrual cycle, but to embrace it as a natural phase her body experiences as a part of the reproductive system. The Flowering Party is a comforting moment of sharing and bonding between mother, daughter and other women who cherish and support the woman-to-be in her growth and maturity. In representing another opportunity for the young girl to better understand the biology of her body, the Flowering Party helps to build the girl's self-esteem and worth.

Banvoa had the look of dreadful fear when I chimed, "Banvoa, it's your period," as she stood uncomfortably during a tutoring session. It was my pleasure to share my own flowering story to support and comfort her.

That evening while in bed, I began to think about what I could do to welcome her into our circle of women as the newest member. The next day I called family and friends who would make what I called Banvoa's sacred circle — a group of women favored by Banvoa who will always be available to her. They were all ecstatic with joy when I explained what a Flowering Party was. The Flowering Party is not your typical party in which you merely serve food and drinks. Overall, it is a celebration of knowledge — the knowledge you gain from your mother and the women in the sacred circle, that your body and precious life are sacred. Certainly, our daughters should have a Flowering Party to build their self-esteem and worth before they start flowering. It is only practical to do so in preparation for her first menses. If only more women had known about a Flowering Party, they would not have experienced their first cycle with fear and hopelessness.

Mothers only must remember what their first flowering was like to know that they want their daughter's experience to be much more enthusiastic than theirs. This is why the Flowering Party is so important. It is a proud moment in the lives of all who participated in your daughter's preparation for her first flowering. Her preparation for her first flowering should not be one that merely includes a discussion about choosing pads or tampons.

Explaining to your daughter how you are planning to prepare her for her first flowering is touching and beautiful. Your daughter will always remember how you made her first cycle memorable. This is when you remember to write down your story to be shared with the next generation. This is a remarkable choice that will always be remembered and cherished. The story will be a keepsake treasure of the family. This is why I highly encourage mamas, play mamas, and aunties to write down their stories. It is an experience they will never want to forget. I hope that mamas, play mamas, and aunts who read this article remember that preparing your daughter for her first cycle can and should be an exciting experience. Her preparation should be one that she will fondly remember.