Hello- I am preparing a kit for my daughters Menarche (lol notice red font in spirit).

So far I have: a few cloth pads, a rose flower hair wreath, a (really tiny) pair of diamond earrings, a tiny fairy tea set, a hair brush.

I would really like to make a special box up for her- not so much in "things" but in symbols- like the fairy tea set to remind her to keep believing as a child.

I would like suggestions on some things to include- spam is welcome.

Sounds like a beautiful idea!

When I first started my period I really enjoyed long hot showers... they always made me feel better when bloated or crampy. You may want to include a couple bars of her favorite sent soap, or some bath oils... I bet that would be really wonderful those first few months. :D

Love Val

That is so sweet!
My DD's menarche passed without much fanfare-I was completely taken off guard, thought I'd have an extra year. :wah:
Good for you being proactive!!!

I am preparing too and have a ritual planned. I am planning a "party" with many older "wiser" women being there and some of her friend too if she wishes. I plan to make her a bracelet during the party with each woman giving her a bead and a hand written note of "knowledge". Afterwards, DH will take them to have their ears pierced. What about some natural deoderant or "body spray". Perhaps new panties. A diary. Maybe a cute pair of "little girl" pjs.

Maybe a nice box for her to put her pads in during the "in between" time? That way she can keep it in her room or in her own spot in the bathroom.

Great ideas- she loves bath and body stuff.

A beautiful box would be a great touch- and it can serve as a wrap for all the things too.

I told Veronika she could either have a "red party" with her friends, mothers, and female relatives- or maybe we could go to San Fransisco for a weekend and spend time together- we would invite her grandmothers and aunt.

I warned her that I would not be willing to leave the baby overnite until he is at least 4 years old- that he would be coming with us if she started before that time.

I really want this to be a celebration - not a "now you are in for a life of inconvience"

Keep the ideas coming!

I really want this to be a celebration - not a "now you are in for a life of inconvience"

I think this is very important. I have found since embracing my natural ebbs and flows, they do not bother me like they have in the past. Even if I get a cramp, etc. I just flow with it. It is Mother Nature's way of providing us with children. I want my girls to have the same view but from day 1. I want so much to be there when it happens but since I work full-time and they are in school full-time I don't think that is going to be the case. My mom was at work when I started.

I did this for my daughter too. (o: I did not have a nice box though, so I improvised with a stacking type one. LOL....

I put in it...

Heating pad (rice, microwaveable) for cramps

Teen Pamprin for cramps (not very crunchy, but a godsend for me as a teen)

A WAHM red bead bracelet and earring set

Various disposie pads to try and see how she liked (she was not at all thrilled with the cloth idea)

Teen tampons (which she prefers and uses now)

A Dancing Goddess goddess doll symbolizing her growing up and menarche

A goddess book on a first period

WAHM Paul Frank fabric (her fave...lol) washcloths and facial soap

Goddess shaped bath soap

I had never thought of anything like this, it is a totally cool idea. I got really sick for 2 days before my blessing. I was really embarrased to tell my mom. I hope that i will be aboe to do something like this for my daughter.
Luckily I have at least 8 years to go ( heck she isn't even born yet!!!)
Thanks for the idea and insperation though, even though it was meant for someone else.
Jodi

I always told Raynbow she could get her ears pierced when she got her period. Unknowingly it was one of the smartest things I ever did. The day she got it, she came and said "Well Mom I guess I get to get my ears pierced today" No awkwardness just excitement. Then we went and she got her ears pierced and I got one done. she spent that whole next week obsessing about her ears, she barely gave having her period a second thought. still now 8 months later it is so not a big deal, just a part of life, and she has never said "this is a pain in the a**" Or anything negative about it.
Good for you mama for being proactive, I think the way we approach it has a truly lasting effect on how they feel about it.
anni

A goddess book on a first period

Name please? I would also love to find a book on periods and womanly stuff from a natural POV. TIA!

I'd include some kind of calendar (small sized maybe) so she can track her monthy cycles.

I'd also like to know the title of that book you included in your daughters package, Denise.

I have two daughters who I need to get ready for soon.

Oh, if anyone wants to buy a pre-made box, the new issue of Chinaberry catalog has one in it.

Michelle

there is a book out there specifically filled with ideas for celebrating this important rite of passage....I can't remember the name offhand. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

If I remember it, I'll come back and edit.

Michelle

I am interested too. IT would be interesting to read and pass on to a young lady
JOdi

The Red Tent would be a good one for an older girl. Great book... But not for young teens...

Here is something I found looking for it:

Circle of Stones----by Judith Duwark

How might it have been different for you
if on your first menstrual day
Your mother had given you a bouquet
of flowers
and taken you to lunch
And then the two of you had gone to meet
your father at the jeweler--
Where your ears were pierced,
And your father bought you your
first pair of earrings.
And then you went with a few of your
friends and your mother's friends
to get your first lip coloring. And then you
went for the very first time to the
Women's Lodge to learn the wisdom
of women.
How might your life be different?

It was on this site: (LOTS of books) First Menses (http://www.noaw.com/Maiden's%20First%20Menses/maidens'.htm)

Here is another book I found called: Moon Days : Creative Writing About Menstruation It is endorced by Susan Weed, who is my favorite herbal healing writer. She is wonderful! Here is a link. (http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/December04/pf_anti-cancer.htm)

Love Val

Edit... One more thought... a great book on stuff like this is "Are you there God? It's me Margret." By Judy Blume... not a Goddess book (and no I am not Christan) but it really captures well the things girls are thinking about at that age. :D

Her Blood is Gold, is the book that totally changed my perspective on my moon time. It is by Laura Owen.


I also found this:

Moon Mother, Moon Daughter: Myths and Rituals That Celebrate a Girl's Coming-of-Age
by Jennifer Louden (Foreword), Janet Lucy, Terri Allison "On the eve of winter solstice, my friend Patti and I performed a ""vision-seeding ritual"" with our daughters..." (more)
SIPs: dreaming goddess, female gifts, moon groups, council circles, age celebration (more)

Make it speical, it was a perfect day for my dd and I!

Moon Mother, Moon Daughter: Myths and Rituals That Celebrate a Girl's Coming-of-Age
by Jennifer Louden


we got this book, my dd enjoyed it. I also found this:
First Moon: Celebration And Support For A Girl's Growing-Up Journey

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1577314891/104-1593909-5569561?v=glance

Her Blood is Gold, is the book that totally changed my perspective on my moon time. It is by Laura Owen.


I also found this:

Moon Mother, Moon Daughter: Myths and Rituals That Celebrate a Girl's Coming-of-Age
by Jennifer Louden (Foreword), Janet Lucy, Terri Allison "On the eve of winter solstice, my friend Patti and I performed a ""vision-seeding ritual"" with our daughters..." (more)
SIPs: dreaming goddess, female gifts, moon groups, council circles, age celebration (more)

Make it speical, it was a perfect day for my dd and I!


Yes! That is the book I was talking about in my post above but could not think of the name!

Michelle

How about some chocolate for her kit. I know it makes me feel better! Heck, chocolate pretty much ALWAYS makes me feel better!!

Thank you SO much for this thread! I need to get on this...

The Red Tent would be a good one for an older girl. Great book... But not for young teens...



This is what I was going to suggest. Only for a very mature girl, though, who is used to reading graphic things.

I appreciate all the input.

Chocolate! Great idea- but that will have to be a last minute purchase , I would say it is becuase we live in a hot climate- but is really becuase I have the will power of cookie monster- LOL

I posted this at the market board too. I am so excited!

At first I was bummed that dd is being secretive about getting her period (found evidence in the laundry). But I did the same thing when I got mine (hid it from my mom for several months and raided my sisters supplies).

I have decided to get over my worry that she hasnt told me and embrace the menarche kit (which I will leave for her on her bed with a note) as a great way for me to share my thoughts, guidance and love with her without making her feel too self conscious.

So I am taking this seriously and carefully putting together a collection of things for her and just wanted to share what I have put together so far:

1) Bracelet with garnets and moonstones (symbolism obvious I hope)
http://store1.yimg.com/I/yhst-10435162552167_1840_4487134

2) 2 Lunapad Minis with waterproof carry pouch (she may like cloth eventually as she is sensitive about scratchy things, so I just thought she should know about it and be able to decide for herself)
http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/95305/200.jpg

3) 3 types of organic cotton, dioxin free Natracare Dipsposable Pads (slender, curved, and ultra thin) I have been wanting to try these too and I would love it if she doesnt go with cloth if these might work for her for health reasons. She already has tried some commercial made thin pads that I put under the sink just in case and I doubt she would want to try tampons yet so I am going to only include these for now and the cloth.
http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/46531/200.jpg

4) A bottle of Midol

5) Noxema Triple Clean Pads (to wipe the face - for acne) She is getting pimples and already uses generic Proactive and other face stuff like masks and such, so I thought she might like these for sleepovers and when she is prone to breakouts
http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/16560/200.jpg

6) some chocolates, maybe some Godiva or something better than the garden variety chocolate bar

7) Are You there God, It's Me, Margaret by Judy Bloom (she already has The Period Book and The Care and Keeping of You. I like both of those and thought about adding a more spiritually centered book but looking at some excerpts on amazon, I felt she would find them cheesy and embarrassing. She LOVEs to read novels so I thought this would be a better choice.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0689841582.01._PIdp-schmooS,TopRight,7,-

8) Jansport Half Pint backpack purse in Scarlet. All the items will be tucked in here with a lengthy note explaining the carepackage, telling her about my first period and that I love her.
http://akamai.backcountrystore.com.edgesuite.net/images/items/medium/JAN0019/JANHPSCA.jpg

So what do you think? Am I missing anything?

That is a great little kit, and I am sure she will appriciate it... espically as she gets older... that you took the time to think of her that way even though she did not share with you outright. It will mean a lot mama.

I think this idea is great, although I have a good 8 years before I have to worry about it. My dd is 3. lol... but at the same time, I remember what my mom did when I got my first period at camp when I was 12... she laughed. So planning ahead and thinking of these things are VERY important to me. I will not be that insisitive to my dd. I am planning on letting her get her ears peirced if she wants, and taking her out to a fancy dinner... I know that for sure. I have a lot of time to think about the rest.

Love Val

What a great thread - some wonderful ideas! My dd is only 8.5, but she really looks forward to menarche and talks about it all the time. Just this morning (I think it was this morning - maybe it was yesterday; I have pregnancy brain) she came in all excited and said, "Hey, mama, do you know what the special number on sesame street was this morning?? 13!" And I made some non-committal "uh-huh?" (meaning, yeah, so what? lol) and she looked at me like I was so dense. "Mama, 13! Bleeding time!! I can't wait!" What a crack-up. And such a perfect example of the whole stage, too, that bridge between childhood and maidenhood; sesame street, a show for toddlers, making her think of menarche! What next??

I totally hate spamming, but I do really like my menarche doll (Denise mentioned hers up above): you can see her here: Luna (http://www.dancinggoddessdolls.com/id32.htm)

I am grateful for the rest of the ideas, too - obviously my dd is going to expect one heck of a celebration, and these are perfect ideas for her basket. :)