[LyndaSLP]

I stopped to look at socks/hosiery at the grocery store last night.

7 yr old DS was with me.

The display next to the socks = sanitary pads/tampons

My DS points to the super-size pack of Always pads and says, "What are these things? You bought something like this with your triple coupons. I've been wanting to know, but keep forgetting to ask."

I replied, "Well... do you need an answer right now?"

DS: "Is it inappropriate to talk about it in the store?"

Me: "No.. it's not an inappropriate topic. It's a private talk."

DS: "OK... then I'll ask you in the car."

Me: "Please do... we can talk about it there."

DS did not remember to "ask me in the car". I didn't re-open the topic b/c I had no earthly clue what to say. Now, mind you, if he had remembered, I would've figured out what to say.

But now that it seems I've been granted a bit of time before the topic comes up again....

HELP!

Any advice? guidance? sites? something? I don't have a clue how to have this conversation -- I am quite befuddled, but want to be honest/open and age-appropriate.

Help! Anyone out there with words of wisdom??

[mmtinga]

When my son was about 3 or 4 he found a large pack of panty liners under the cabinet and made air planes and butterflys all over his wall by sticking them on the wall. Thankfully he did not ask what they were . I would have probably just told him that it was something that big girls use and not for little boys. Now as a teen with three older sisters he gets embarassed if someone tells the story.

[LyndaSLP]

[FirealSwords]

I found this site that says it will help:

Talking to Your Child About Menstruation

So, how do you discuss menstruation and offer education, as well as guidance and support, before the big day even arrives? Or, what do you tell your son? (Boys have questions, too.) Before you can discuss menstruation, it's important to have a good understanding of how the process works.



I googled "how to discuss menstruation with a child" and a lot of sites came up, but as expected, some were how to talk to GIRLS about it, so maybe you could read a few and get a general idea of how to approach it.

[jbarber8]

My son is 4 and he asks me from time to time. So far I have told him those are supplies that only Mommies use in the bathroom, not boys and that has satisfied him to this point.

My mother told my brother and me 'the facts' at the same time, when I was 9 he was 10, but that was 30 years ago!

[Kmchamplin]

My son, now 13, never asked about it even though they were in plain site.

[lurkin1]

Reminds me of when my son (now 20) was that age. He thought tampax were the coolest rocket launchers he had found!

[carmended]

ooohh goodluck with that. my sons dont even care, they think they are soft things to throw at each other. now my nephew on the other hand, likes to throw them in the toilet and reach back in and get them out. :-p gross i know.

[PeachyPeach]

My mom likes to remind me of when I was young... I thought they were bandaids. I'd just tell him that it is something that ladies use and not men, and see if that satisfies him. At 7, he probably doesn't need the gory details.

[Lynda1811]

I don't know what to say to him, but wanted to say that you have a very polite little boy.

Lynda

[LyndaSLP]

Originally Posted by Lynda1811

I don't know what to say to him, but wanted to say that you have a very polite little boy.

Lynda

Thank you.

[mcdlady1]

I just tell my 4 year old that it is girl stuff and he is okay with it.

[mona08]

My 4 yr old DD just thinks they are big girl diapers