I'm so anxious that my daughter will get her period at sleepaway camp (average, clothes)

[JustJulia]

I wouldn't want my daughter to try tampons for the first time away from home. I think those need Mom's supervision.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

My daughter has had the underarm hair, pimples and other signs of puberty for a year already without starting her period. Just in case, she keeps a little purse in her backpack filled with supplies, and she's practiced putting a pad in her underpants in case it happens when she's not at home. They make pads for teens that have bright colored wrappers and little designs on the pads themselves. I guess they're supposed to make the period more fun. We signed up on the Kotex website and my daughter got a little box of sample pads and tampons in the mail.

[luckynumber4]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

I wouldn't want my daughter to try tampons for the first time away from home. I think those need Mom's supervision.

They aren't that complicated.

[Stijl Council]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

I wouldn't want my daughter to try tampons for the first time away from home. I think those need Mom's supervision.

I agree it's not ideal, but if swimming is mandatory at this camp, she can't do it without them.

[Kibbiekat]

Talk to her about it beforehand and send some supplies just in case.

[gimme it]

Originally Posted by Stijl Council

Ultra-thins, yes, and I'd suggest getting ones without wings since she'll be managing for the very first time.

Is there going to be swimming at camp? If so, she needs tampons too. Make sure she knows about TSS! It might also be good to make sure she knows what to do about cramps if need be.

Yes! There is a big lake and swimming and watersports are a huge part of the camp. I don't think I want her using tampons yet. Am I wrong? They may freak her out.

[gimme it]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog_Mom

My daughter has had the underarm hair, pimples and other signs of puberty for a year already without starting her period. Just in case, she keeps a little purse in her backpack filled with supplies, and she's practiced putting a pad in her underpants in case it happens when she's not at home. They make pads for teens that have bright colored wrappers and little designs on the pads themselves. I guess they're supposed to make the period more fun. We signed up on the Kotex website and my daughter got a little box of sample pads and tampons in the mail.

This made me LOL!!! Fun and period in the same sentence.

[gimme it]

Speaking of periods, aren't our daughters supposed to get them around the same age we did? I was 12 and 8mos old, but then again I didn't get any sign of boobage until I was about 12 and 1/2. The kids these days seem to be developing much earlier.

[skahar]

Originally Posted by gimme it

Yes! There is a big lake and swimming and watersports are a huge part of the camp. I don't think I want her using tampons yet. Am I wrong? They may freak her out.

It may be upsetting for her to have to sit on the sidelines for the water sports stuff. If you have no objection to her wearing tampons, you may just want to buy some and show her how to use them just in case. That's what I would do. Hopefully all the worry and anxiety is for nothing but you are right to be prepared just in case.

[stan4]

I wouldn't give an 11 year old tampons. Especially without supervision and instruction on how to use them...and being there to help her if something happens.

Just make her a little package of tampons, load her up with lots of extra underwear, and talk to her. She will be fine. You can even practice putting the pads on the underwear together.
Unlike another poster, I would recommend the wings. Camp is pretty active...wings will keep the pad in place better. Talk to her about how often to change the pad, as well.

She won't be the only camper there on her period.