How do I tell my mom (or dad) I got my period?

We know, it can feel ~weird~ to talk about periods with your mom — but it doesn’t have to! You can share the news in any way that feels right to you: tell her simply and directly, write a letter, send her a text, stage a one-act play about the moment you realised what happened (hey, like we said: whatever feels right to you!).

Moms (and Dads) can help!

Truth is, your mom had/has a period, and she can probably answer a lot of your questions about what’s going on and what to expect. Not only that, she can help you get the products you need to manage your period and feel prepared. She’ll probably have a good sense of how you’re feeling and what you might need help with, and, of course, a whole lot of advice to give. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you might have—mom knows what’s up (or will know where to go for the answer).

Start the conversation

If you’d rather tell your bff, older sister, or aunt first, that’s just fine. It can even be good practice for talking to your mom! You can ask them how they started the conversation with their parents about getting their periods: How did it go? What did they say?

But it’s still important to tell your mom (she knew this day would come!). Something as simple as, “Mom, I got my period and I need some supplies,” is all it takes to start the conversation. If you’d rather not talk about it beyond that right now, that’s okay, but it can be helpful to explain your feelings. Are you excited? That’s great! Are you scared? That’s a-okay, too! Are you sad? Totally fine. First periods can be all those things—exciting, scary, sad—all at the same time.