Rites of Passage for Girls Getting Their First Period

Rites of passage have been important throughout history. They have been celebrated in every culture and for many different reasons. Some, such as graduations, are celebrated with a diploma. Others, such as special birthdays, get a special party with cake and sometimes alcohol. Some of the most important rites of passage are not celebrated in our society today, however.

These days, when a girl gets her period, it is seen as something to be feared or ashamed of. Girls call this change by hateful names such as "the curse," "the crimson tide," or "riding the cotton pony." Where this important change of life from girlhood to womanhood was once seen as a powerful and important time in a young lady's life, girls are now usually taught to fear and abhor their life changes as well as to hide them from friends and family.

It is a shame that young women are taught to feel as though having their period is something to be ashamed of. On the contrary, menstruation is a sign of maturity, fertility and womanhood. To ancient cultures, it was a sign of power and the symbolic change of a girl into a grown responsible woman. Menstruation is the body's way of cleansing and should not be thought of as "dirty" or "disgusting." It seems strange to me how something so beautiful and important can be looked on with fear, hatred, and disgust when the change to something as silly as legal drinking age is celebrated with huge parties and alcohol.

Many parents are beginning to realize what an important change having your first period is. New traditions are beginning in open-minded families where girls and boys alike are having coming-of-age celebrations. Even if your daughter does not want the embarrassment of having a party to celebrate her new womanhood, there are many other wonderful ways to celebrate this important experience.

Commemorative Jewelry

Getting a period is a good time for a girl to receive a special piece of jewelry in honor of this important occasion. You can choose a necklace, ring, or bracelet. Some girls like jewelry that is symbolic of getting their period such as red-colored gemstones. Garnets have a deep wine-red color and look lovely set into both gold and silver jewelry. You can also choose jewelry that contains the girl's birthstone.

Jewelry that is engraved is also special for such an event. The jewelry does not need to say what it represents, but a nice piece with the girl's name and a date are appreciated. You may want to choose the jewelry for her or she might like to pick something out for herself. If she is very spiritual, a religious piece of jewelry might appeal to her.

Feminine Product Gift Box

A gift box loaded with many different menstrual products would be a great gift to give to any young girl who does not yet have a product preference. You could put together a lovely basket or box with a variety of disposable products if she is very mainstream. Natural products would be an even better way to celebrate this very natural change of life.

The Diva Cup is a silicone cup that works like a tampon, but is more hygienic and fits inside the vagina. The cup catches menstrual blood and can be rinsed and reinserted much like a tampon. The cup is small, soft and flexible, and with a little practice is extremely easy to use and cannot be felt while worn.

These cups work much better than tampons, are non-toxic unlike tampons, and can be left in for very long periods of time, also unlike tampons. You need only one for life, so the cost of buying one Diva Cup will save thousands of dollars over the years and will also help save the planet by reducing the number of feminine products consigned to landfills.

Cloth menstrual pads are also a great way to go, especially for a girl who is just starting or who may be uncomfortable with tampons or vaginal products. Far from being unhygienic, cloth pads are quiet, discreet, and much more comfortable than disposable pads. They also tend to leak less and be more reliable. They can be washed and reused for years.

Some mothers have asked me if this is an unhealthy way to go. The fact is that reusable pads are as safe as reusing your own washed underwear. Many pads come in very beautiful prints and patterns and are as easy to use as disposables. They also help to conserve the environment and best of all, you never find yourself out of pads, having to run to the store with a bit of toilet paper stuffed in your underwear.

Sea sponges are another alternative product that can be used like a tampon. These sponges which are also called "Sea Pearls" can be purchased from the same companies that sell the Diva Cup, the Moon Cup, and several types of cloth pads. The sponges are inserted and then removed when full, rinsed, and reused. These sponges are very clean and much safer to use than tampons which are known to cause Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Other Gifts to Include

If you are making a gift basket, there are some other wonderful gifts that you can include with feminine products. There are plenty of things that women like to have during their periods. You could include a little bottle of Midol or other menstrual pain relief. Chocolate will also be appreciated as well as menstrual relief herbal teas (sold in most natural food stores), bath products, self-care items, books about getting your period, and other items to help the budding young lady to feel good about herself.