First Period Celebration
Change the story for your family.
How a girl experiences her first period can set the stage for future body image, self-esteem and confidence. When mums' experience has been negative or neutral at best, then it can be harder to imagine how to give your daughter a better experience. I have hundreds of menarche stories now, and just like birth, the experience has a powerful and lasting impact consciously or subconsciously.
Change the story for your family. Scroll down for how I work with individual families (e.g. to support puberty where a child is neurodiverse), organisations and as a mentor to others working in this field.
I offer:
Body Positivity workshops for 7-9 year olds
Celebration Days for Girls for 10-12 year olds (sometimes 9-13 depending on child)
Mother & Daughter Circles
These events take place in Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, but can happen elsewhere in the UK and online.
Resources to help you feel confident talking about periods with your daughter
Support your daughter to have a positive experience. This resource kit includes:
6 handouts with activities (that you can do together that gently prompt discussion around periods and self-care)
15-minute yoga sequence (to model the benefits of movement in general, specific postures to help period cramps and partner yoga just for fun)
15-minute relaxation (to show her resting is okay too)
5-minute bellydance video (to introduce movement to work with big emotions)
12-minute video for you with 3 top tips to support your daughter.
You can use each of the resources as many times as you wish and have lifetime access so you can use them again if you have another daughter!
Access to Know Your Cycle Facebook group to ask questions.
Body Positivity workshops
I started running these when I was approached by mums at my daughters' school who wanted to add to what was in the school curriculum and be part of their children's learning about puberty.
7-9 years is a great time for your child to learn about the changes that the body goes through at puberty because either they might already be experiencing the changes or seeing them in their friends. The earlier you can talk about the proper names for body parts and what to expect as you change the better as you will be met with curiosity rather than awkwardness.
The 2-hour workshop is with the mum or female caregiver and uses craft activities to engage the children while talking about the information that helps them feel more confident.
Please contact me to arrange a workshop with your friends or to enquire about when the next one will take place (usually a weekend afternoon, but can be held at other times).
Mother & Daughter Circle
In 2021/2 my colleagues Catherine Holt and I held four sessions over a year for 7-9 year olds and their mums. We are planning a two-part event later in 2022 - first session with mums only and second session also with daughters.
Please email to register your interest.
Celebration Days for Girls
The Celebration Day is a one-off event for girls between the ages of 10-12. They may or may not have started their period (we won't put her on the spot by asking!). On the Friday evening before, the mums meet to discuss practicalities for the day and how they can help their daughters at this time of transition. (We can Skype if this isn't feasible in person.)
The Day itself happens on a Sunday (unless otherwise organised e.g. in school time, for Girl Guides group). Throughout the day we use craft activities to focus on while we talk about cycles, periods and bodies changing in an accessible way. There are also movement breaks. Mums share stories about their experience of growing up and this helps normalise talking about bodies.
If you think this gathering would be beneficial for your daughter, I recommend you book it and bribe her to come with her favourite lunchtime treat! It's just like swimming lessons - they don't always want to go, but you know it's good for them and they end up loving it. If you ask your daughter whether she wants to spend a day talking to a stranger about periods, the answer 90% of the time will be "No!". If you say, "I've booked a day where we can hang out together (without your brother/sister) because I can see you're growing up and I'm really proud of you", it's more likely to be "Yes".
Usually, the Celebration Days take place in Caversham from 10am (mums' meet up on Friday before at 7.30pm).
Cost per Mother (or other female caregiver)/Daughter couple is £85.
The event is not a period party or menarche celebration as such because not all the girls will have started their periods. It is a menstruation celebration in general. After all, if we are likely to have around 450 periods in our lifetime, it's worth spending some time thinking about how your daughters can care for themselves through each month.
What people are saying
"It was an eye opening day. I learnt things and Juliet exceeded my expectations on what she already knew and how comfortable she was to talk and ask questions. We both felt a warm connection to you all."
- Beckie
"We absolutely loved the day. My daughter and I have been preparing her little bag of treasures for the special day. When we got into the car she said "I am excited about getting my first period now". How beautiful is that? You and Billy rocked it."
— Tanya
"We both loved the celebration day. I really felt more connected with my daughter, she confirmed this as well. Making time together to plant both feet back on the ground I find so vital."
— Nan
Hire me for a talk or event at your school or group.
I love creating tailormade sessions. Perhaps you've covered the biological side of the menstrual cycle at your school and would like the children to think more holistically about how to support their big emotions and learn about self-care. Perhaps you've noticed in your youth club or Girl Guides group that some are struggling with the transition through puberty.
I also have a kit of period products including period pants, menstrual cups and reusable pads that I can lend to you for your own PSHE/ RSE session if I don't have an event booked. Refundable deposit required.
Family session.
Perhaps your child is neurodiverse and finds the prospect of puberty very daunting. A standard session may be overwhelming with new faces, new information and lots of activities so I can tailor a session to work with their likes and dislikes, finding a point of interest to start from.
I can come to meet you both in familiar surroundings and have an initial meeting to simply say hi. We can discuss what activities / content may be most helpful by phone or Zoom to have the most beneficial outcome.
Mentoring for educators.
I have a background in lecturing at university, been running circles for 8 years and running my own business for 11 years. In that time, I have developed business and marketing expertise in addition to creating a range of events. It's my passion in life to support other educators to make a sustainable business out of teaching this important information to girls and women.
Not just period books or period education - Remember the whole cycle!
My books for children.
Ruby Luna's Curious Journey
Illustrated. 5+
Ruby Luna's Moontime
Novella/ diary format. 9+
Dante Leon's Curious Journey
Illustrated. 7+
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