We have been talking about it for a little over 2 yrs now. She has been expecting it. All of her friends had gotten theirs and, not wanting to be left behind, she was hoping hers would come any day now. She was well prepared, in case it happened at school, she would know what to do. She knew that we would celebrate her becoming a woman with a special outing just her and I, a mama/daughter bonding thing. A special piece of jewelry, dinner wherever she wanted, a little shopping and a long conversation filled with answers to the MANY questions she was 'saving up'.
Big Daddy is the one who does the driving to and from school everyday, it's their thing. Perhaps I should have been preparing him for this day too, I don't know why I didn't think of that. But he totally handled himself BEAUTIFULLY, even if he isn't so sure.
J gets in the car:
BD: Hey Kid, how was your day?
J: Good, I don't have any homework.
BD: Awesome.
silence, like he knows there is more and is waiting for it
J: Daddy did they show the boys the health movie about the girls their stuff when you were in school?
BD: yep
J: so you know all about that from back in the day?
BD: yep
J: So do girls sometimes talk to their dads about it?
BD: yea, I guess if the girls want to (please don't want to, please don't want to).
J: OK. (deep breath) Well I am a Woman now. Today I started my period.
BD: Oh, umm. Wow.
J: Don't worry I knew what to do. I already had the talk and was prepared. I can't wait to get home and tell Mamarazzi she is going to want to give me a very big hug.
BD: Well, good. Are you feeling OK?
J: Yea, if you have any questions I can answer them for you.
BD: OK (so glad we live 2 blocks from the school)
J walked in the door and i am at the computer (where else would i be?) and she says with a HUGE smile on her face, "Guess what?" I smile back excited about any news that she is excited about, "What?" and she excitedly says, "I am a Woman now!!!" (gulp!) "Oh wow, come here let me give you a big hug!" I will admit at that moment my heart broke a little. First of all I was wondering (in my head, of course) why she hadn't rushed to the nurse and have her call me to come and get my little girl. I wanted to be there for her. We had been talking about this moment for a while. She was really looking forward to it (i didn't wanna burst the girl's bubble and tell her it's not all that great). But soon we got too busy talking about our special Womanhood Celebration. She knew where she wanted to eat dinner and was excited about picking out a new necklace.
We went to one of her favorite restaurants Chili's. She was thinking about Sushi, but didn't feel right about Daddy missing out on our favorite family meal. What a sweetheart right?
deeeeeeeeelicious!
mmmm fajita pita (it was YUM)
here she is the next morning (ready for picture day) wearing her VERY special and VERY beautiful new necklace that she picked out.
Let me tell you I was too busy holding back tears to take pics while we were shopping (I know, how very unlike Mamarazzi). We had been deciding between 2 very pretty sterling silver necklaces when she spotted this one, "Look it's a mom and a daughter and their hug is making a heart, it's me and you and you are welcoming me to womanhood."
Yeah, like you wouldn't have choked up over THAT! She decided that was the one she wanted. I asked her if she was sure and told her it was totally her choice. She said, "I love it. It's special. It's about today". It was a little more pricey than the other ones we had been looking at, I didn't care, she was right, we bought it.
Yep, she is growing up. I am really proud of her. I am so happy that she and I are so close. That she knows she can ask me anything (and trust me she does) and I will not only answer her but I will listen to her,not just the words she shares, but what is behind the words.
I gotta tell ya, this young woman is a treasure. She was born to be my kid. I was born to be her mom. I know that I have said this over and over and over; that we are a match made in heaven. Seriously, we are and it is times like these that 100% confirm that. I am TRULY blessed.
Moms of young daughters. J has told me so many stories about girls her age who were scared to death when they started their periods. Last year she found a girl crying in the bathroom thinking she was dying or something. J took the pad she has been carrying around in her backpack and told the girl what to do and then walked her to the nurse. She felt so sad for this little girl. If you haven't given this much thought, start thinking about it now.
OH and i highly recommend the Womanhood Celebration, it takes the 'ick" factor out of it and totally opens the lines of communication about SO much more than menstruation. Isn't that what we all want as our little girls head in to young womanhood and the dreadful teen years?? I do.
56 Dandelion Wishes Made:
Oh my goodness! This post had every emotion in it for me!! The laughter at big daddy and J's convo in the car. Then your special outing together and what she said about the necklace! I love it all! Thank you for posting this, seriously! I know my daughter is still very young, but this gives me a whole new outlook on IT. I love how you prepared and how you handled it and made it a celebration! PERFECT!!
I was more like that little girl crying and scared. Not that my mom didn't talk about it with me, but I got IT when she was gone and I locked myself in the bathroom for hours until she got home. Mind you we only had one bathroom and my dad was freaking out a bit as I was crying and wouldn't come out. I'm sure he probably knew what was going on! I just wanted my mom there and wanted my SPECIAL little kit we had made in preparation. That was the only thing that would make me happy! :)
That is SO sweet!
This is a really beautiful story and you both are so very lucky to have each other.
I could not agree with you more about talking to your children, when they are very young, keep those communication lines open about everything. Menstruation should NOT be something to be ashamed of, it is a glorious gift and should be honored.
Thank you so much for sharing this. Have a magical WW!
That is so wonderful. Your daughter is so lucky to have such a great mom and such a great outlook on becoming a woman. I loved your post!
YOu have a seriously special girl on your hands....I have a feeling your modeling has been such a big influence in this. :)
I think I would have actually Sobbed if my daughter said that to me about the necklace.
She's a gem. No doubt about it.
i love that "CAR" conversation! he handled it really well!!! i wonder how SPENCER would have handled it!?!?!?!
no that good i am SURE!!!!
she is gorgeous... and i think my daughter has a dress just like the one she has on in the last 3 pictures.... is that from Limited Too?? if so... it's the same one!!!! and we have great taste!!!! :)
congrats J...welcome to womanhood. It's beautiful!
how sweet, glad you blogged it.
She is pretty amazing! As are you for preparing her in the best way possible. I was sooo angry because I had zero desire to become a woman. I know It would've helped had we "celebrated" like you two did.
Hubby's convo was truly perfect even if he was dying inside. :)
That was so awesome, I'm sitting here in tears. You are the BEST mom!
I hope I can be that awesome! We have a book also, called "The care and keeping of you" by American Girl. It has helped my oldest already and she's only 10. We are looking forward to that day also and it will be a celebration for all my girls.
Thank you for your amazing example and for blogging about this personal thing.
You really are awesome and I feel blessed to know you!
Tell J congrats from me!
Glad you blogged it. The car conversation was funny and perfect. I think that is really great. We will have to use your ideas at the Solomon girls house. I really think the more open you are from the very beginning makes a big difference. What a great necklace.
You gave me mommy chills again.
This is stuff I am so not ready for. Some days I think I need my kids just to stay little and oblivious and then I remember all the great stuff that comes with growing up. I'm struggling with striking a balance on that front lately.
I truly hope I have a realtionship with my kids when they're J's age that you two have.
1st - sorry about blasting your eardrums -
AND- that post totally made me tear up!!!!!! OMG! This is so sad tome - really, I know it is all natural and the process of life . . . but oh, how I do really dread this day. And the poor girl - to have it at school. SHE IS SO MATURE!!!
You handled this beautifully! I would love to know how you prepared her. What age did you start? Did you use a book? If so, what is the title? Help! (My daughter is only 7 but I want to her to be as prepared as your little girl.) I so admire your posting of this! Thank you!
The conversation she had with her dad was precious. Brought a tear to my eye. My daughter is mortified if I even mention the P word. She let me fuss when it arrived, but now I am not allowed to talk about it unless she brings it up. :)
Aww... so sweet and special. Despite all the funny looks from people, I've always said I can't wait until my daughter is a teenager...except when she kissing boys at 5 yrs. old! To answer your question, yes, the pictures in my post are 'MH' and we got freakin' lost on our way to 'MH' and ended up in 'S' just south of the 'M' penninsula! Talk about your scenic 2 hour drive!!
You have got one special girl! Not that you didn't know that already :) My mom prepared me really well and I was super excited about it, like J, but when it came I had no idea what it was. For a week I thought I was having accidents or something, until after 6 days I finally asked my mom. Boy did I feel sheepish! J really is super special and probably an angel to the poor little girl and countless others!
Oh so sweet! I love that she wanted you to blog about it...she is SO going to be a blogger!
Right now I have my fingers in my ears singing lalalalala really loudly about my girls growing up. You'll have to tell me to take the out in a couple of years!
What a wonderful group of pictures
oh....it happens. congrats to u both! when p staarted, we made choc lava cake and ate it right out of the pan!
What a wonderful post! My daughter and I have a very similar relationship. She talks to me about everything...I think. She is growing up and I'm sure there are somethings that she only shares with her friends. We had our own little womanhood celebration too. I think it is great to have an open line of communication with your children. My son talks to me a lot too, and wow some of the things that he has asked me...well let's just say they make me blush.
Aw, what a sweet post.
Your daughter is wise beyond her years.. I can tell why you are so proud of her.
She is a very pretty young lady..
I am glad that the two of you are close..
and how sweet to think of her daddy missing his favorite dinner..
Sweet sweet girl!
OK, so I'm totally tearing up right now! My daughter is 17 months and I find myself looking at her now saying, 'wow, I can't believe you're going to be a woman some day!!' Precious post! She is absolutely gorgeous!!
Oh and I so have a blogathon hangover right now....that was TOO much fun!
~melody~
WHat a great way to celebrate a "special" day. I hear stories like this and I start planning what I will do with my DD when she is "ready" in a few (7-10) years
I can only hope that when my daughter gets IT that we have a relationship as strong as you have with your daughter! I got goosebumps and tears while reading your post! Your daughter is a lucky, lucky girl, oops, woman to have a mother like you!!! If there were more mothers like you out there then our world would not be in the state that it is!! Thank you for being a wonderful example!
I'll say it again...YOU are the BEST MOM EVER! I love the idea of a Womanhood Celebration! We will definitely be doing that when S's day comes!
I am completely wiping tears from my eyes. I found you through a comment you left on a friend's blog. Mommy--you deserve a huge award. Although I'd say your daughter's reaction to her entrance into womanhood is probably reward enough. I'm in awe. You handled the lead up so well by educating her and helping her to be prepared. I am seriously sitting here hugely grateful that I just read that so I can make sure my daughter's are prepared and perhaps even smiling (gasp!) when their periods start. I can't compliment you and thank you enough for sharing. You rock! My oldest just turned 9. Every 6 months we have a casual sit down chat about everything and your plan will be a part of it this time. I'm curious how old your daughter is?
Wow! I think that is so cool that she could tell her dad about it! I'm 32 and still can't talk to him about some stuff. That is the kind of open relationship I want my kids to have with Dan & I.
How wonderful for her! Josh and I were just talking about this the other day and discussing when would be the right time to bring it up. With it happening to girls younger and younger...I want my girls to be prepared. When did you start talking to J about it?
I had already decided to do a Mom/Daughter outing for it (and the bra shopping day...which if they are anything like Mommy, won't be till they're 17! LOL)
Aw, how super! You guys rock. Seriously. This reminds me of the Cosby Show when Rudy gets her period and Clair celebrates with her 'cause it's "Woman's Day" or something along those lines. It's cute.
Hurray for Jordan!
Welcome to the Sisterhood of Women, J. Thank you for asking your mom to share your special memory with us - :0)
I AGREE - You are a wonderful mom and this was a very sweet post and story about a great mom taking wonderful care of her sweet girl! I loved this story!
Take care - Kellan
what a great mom you are!!!! and congrats to Jordon.. She'll get over the excitment quick - it's more of a pain then anything special, LOL...
Again -- the connection between you and J is just amazing. This post gave me chills. Yup, that's right. A post about a girl's first period gave me CHILLS!!!
You're such a good mama!
Ok, are you sick of me yet? I have another question for ya? What do you use to keep track of when blogs update? I've been using bloglines but it doesn't show when blogs have updated until a few days later...which is annoying
Wow her comments about why she wanted THAT necklace just cement why she is now a young woman. She truly is special and your relationship with her is one of a kind. I hope my relationship with my girls can be half what your's and J's is!
Hive five Mom! My oldest became a "woman" when she was 10, I don't think either one of us handled it correctly. I have 4 more girls to improve on. I like the dinner and necklace deal, maybe we'll give it a try with #2 monkey girl.
With my daughter being only 3, I know I have some time to prepare but can I just tell you... I am so thankful that you decided to post this (Thank you J!!) it gives me a great place to start. I think the Woman's Celebration is a wonderful idea.
Wow - this is really an awesome post. My daughter is VERY young,so I haven't worked my way into even thinking about this convrsation. I'm still just trying to have her keep her hairbows in! :o) I think it is wonderful that you prepared her so well and that she felt confident in taking care of herself. It is a great example of the type of mother you are. Thank you for sharing.
And the comment about the necklace? Seriously, how did you make it through?! :o)
If J is excited, then I am excited for her. I can tell you, though, when that day comes for MA we will not be celebrating. When she had the first film in 4th grade she FREAKED OUT! She did not want to grow up. She was scared to death. She's gotten better and thank goodness she isn't one of those early starters so she has time to get used to it. I think it's funny how different women react differently to it. Maybe part of my problem is I didn't have the best periods and had really bad cramps and don't wish THAT on anyone.
Again, congrats to J!
Wow, that is a very mature young lady. I was horribly embarassed by the whole business clear into college! I wouldn't even mention it to my Mother (she found out when she found my panties in the trash) and I would have DIED rather than mention it to my Dad. I was even embarassed to refer to my class "periods" in High School. That's good that Jordan can be more straightforward about it - she'll have a much more balanced view of things.
All the pictures you put on here along with your commentaries are like a digital scrapbook. I hope you're going to print this out someday! I live in fear that I'll accidentally delete my blog someday for that reason! :-)
This is precious. I love that necklace and have never seen one like it. She's such a sweet, considerate, thoughtful girl, just like her Mom!
What a wonderful post. I love your husband's responses to her questions. Too cute. And Mom and daughter relationships are so important. (: The pictures are great.
What a beautiful story, so glad your daughter wanted you to share it with us. I love special moments like this. <3
We went through that in July!!! It's hard to believe that my baby girl is a women! My husband is not prepared for it. But she and I had "the Talk" and so she knew what to do. we talk about issues like this openly (out of earshot of daddy). But i'm thankful she feels comfortable enough to come to me. Congratulations J!!!!
This is Sarah and my mom is here too. I'm not sure why she is crying but she is. She says this story is so sweet. I love your necklace and your bedroom. Thanks for finding me blog.
YOU get the mommy of the year award. Forward thinking. Open minded. Encouraging. Celebrating.
And dad...you were great!!
What a wonderful way to remember coming into womanhood! Your daughter is so precious and you are a wonderful mom!
GREAT blog! I have a 4yo daughter and I hope that our relationship is just as great as yours! Thank you for the idea! :}
I loved that she picked that necklace because it reminded her of you and her. It made me tear up. That is so sweet. You two have such a great relationship.
And after some major cramps and maybe a bit of throw up, she'll have wished that it waited a few more years.
But it's awesome how positive she is! Seriously.
How awesome :)
Yep, we've had this talk over two years ago and I think she's ready. I am not, but I guess it will be ok.
Glad everything went so great for her and you :D
You did an awesome job preparing your daughter for this day!
I don't remember my mother talking about it with me or even making a big deal about it! So I wasn't really prepared when it happened. That probably made all the difference for her.
Big Daddy handled that well. And you're an awesome mom.
My 12 year old "became a woman" two weeks ago. She actually cried because she said she wasn't ready and didn't want to grow up yet. But, she dealt with it like a veteran. No new necklace for her, though!
She doesn't want me to blog about it, but your J is right. It is a memory. I remember my first one. I'm glad that my "baby" had the "talks" with me and with school since fourth grade.
aw, what a great story, and what a great mom. Way to go.
Wonderful post. I loved it and I loved that J wanted to share it.
I was raised the same way. We were to go to brunch after IT happened. I couldn't hardly wait. Then, my younger sister by three years, got IT before ME and my mom felt bad about taking her to brunch before me and well....brunch never happened for either of us! But it was still a very special time worth celebrating...in 10th grade...can you believe it?
My daughter and I talk about it frequently...she is 11...I think she has a long way to go, but we did buy some pantyliners to have at the house for either her or a girlfriend that might be over and need something.
Nice job, mom! You did good. And I also loved your post today. We need to not be so hard on ourselves as mothers and celebrate motherhood as well as womanhood!
P.S. our fav family dinner is sushi also...started the kids out young!
Wow. $10 buck says if any of her future boyfriends see this article, she is going to be mortified!! haha, love it.
My first one was no big deal.. but second one, however, was HELL. No lie. Now they are just annoying lol.
Tell her I said "congrats" on takin it like a woman!
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