If You'd Be So Kind

[girlieerin.livejournal.com]

Background:

Last summer I read the novel The Red Tent by Anita Diamant in which I was introduced to the phenomena of the menstrual hut. I was intrigued by this communal approach to menstruation especially considering how taboo a subject it has become throughout the course of history. What I plan on looking at for this project are several instances of menstruation in literature, folk lore, myth, and reality and compile them as an informational web site. Hopefully one that will offer a personal touch at dispelling the taboo of menstruation, and offer a collective of helpful links, information, and personal testimonials as well.

Method:

What I would like for you (my wonderful web friends) to do is answer the following questions with as much detail as you can muster, and then send your replies back to me ( erin@fetching.org ). Some of your answers will be posted at the web site listed under your first name and linked with your e-mail address (if you’d rather I didn’t do this please just note that in your responses). I of course thank you in advance for participating in this project.

Questions:

Describe the events surrounding your first menstrual period. (examples: How old were you? Where were you? Who did you tell first? Were you embarrassed, excited, nervous?)

Did you find that you acted or were treated differently by people once you began menstruating? (examples: your parents, friends, boys?)

Do you recall any misconceptions that you heard or at one time believed regarding your period?

What is one thing (or more) that you would like to see included on this web site?

Comments

heck...

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

feel free to post the info here in the hut, too! :)

Re: heck...

[byagghametta.livejournal.com]

Done and done. :)

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

My answers are on their way. In fact, they should be to you... right... about.. NOW.

:)

[byagghametta.livejournal.com]

1) I was 11 or 12 (I know it was 1992, I just can't remember if it was before or after birthday), babysitting at a house two doors down from my own. The kids were both in bed, and I was watching tv when I got a strange feeling - kind of like having to pee, I think - followed by a strange and wet sensation in my crotch. I knew I hadn't wet myself, so I went to the bathroom and checked. My underwear had a sizeable puddle of red going. I remeber not being scared about it, due to a huge amount of information that both mom and school had given me. I wrapped some toilet paper around the crotch of my panties and called my mom to bring me new underwear and a few pads. It was a bit of a surprise that it happened then, and honestly my mom was more excited at the time than I was - kind of a passage from being her little girl to her daughter, really...growing up.

2) Not really. It was business as per usual for me - no more or less taunting than usual. All the other girls I know came into theirs at about the same time, so it was pretty much even there. The breast-growing, that was another story. :)

3) No, school was really good about informing us early - I'd gotten the lowdown on menstruation (and so had everyone else in my class) in grade 4. My teacher was good like that. Everyone had to sit through it too, even the guys.

4) Perhaps an area debunking birth control myths? A lot are still going around, and having all of them - and the truth about them - on a site like this would be great. :)

[orangiegirl.livejournal.com]

1. When I first started, I didn't want anyone to know, and I wanted Mom to just KNOW by looking at me. What a silly girl I was. I finally told her, of course. I didn't know where the pads were.... I must have been twelve years old. It was in the summer time - I remember what I wore that day. I remember going to the Eye/Ear/Throat doctor for an appointment that day with my mom. I didn't know any better and didn't bring any pads with me. My mom asked the nurse at the front desk for one. I about died when she told her that I needed one, AND that this was my first period. The nurse didn't have any pads - "Just the other things" and my mom was like, "No way."

We went to the drugstore after going to the doctor's - to get a prescription, I suppose, and Mom bought me a big bag of Lemonheads to celebrate. For some reason, I think that's just a little quirky, but it was sweet. I think a new outfit would have been more fun...

I remember going to my grandma's house after the doctor's appointment, and I was sitting on the steps to her porch, all bummed out. She asked me, "What's wrong, honey?" I just said, "Nothing." and left it at that.

A few years later when I must have been 15, I started my period, and didn't have any pads on hand. My mom was pregnant, and on bedrest, and couldn't drive. She called my grandma, and asked her to bring me pads.

When grandma gave me the pads she winked at me and gave me a pat on the rear end.

Basically, I was embarassed about having my period, in a way, and in another, I was excited - IT finally happened...

2. I don't remember anyone acting much different towards me. My mom was open - almost annoyingly so. My dad didn't seem to even notice, or didn't make much of it, if he did. I was homeschooled, so I didn't have to deal with boys of my own age much at that time. I just didn't talk about it with my friends until a few years later - when I felt more secure about it. I was probably 17 before I felt comfortable bringing it up with anyone other than my mother, If another girl brought it up, I would say whatever came to mind, but I probably didn't say much. I was pretty hush-hush about it.

3.My mom was a pretty good teacher, and I didn't really get exposed to any wrong ideas about about it, until after she taught me what was right... except for the fact that she dosn't think virgins should use tampons. Sorry, Mom. Couldn't handle the pads anymore! I started using them two years ago, and I'm still a virgin, thank you very much.

4.Nothing comes to mind at the moment, but if something does, I'll write you.