September was National Sexual Health Awareness Month, and in my Facebook Group, Organizing In Israel,  I spent the month doing weekly interviews with different women who spoke about different stages of sexual health and how to organize for each phase. 

For National Daughters Day I wanted to share with you some ways I have spoken to my daughter about organizing her sexual health and body. 

I talk to my daughter about her changing body, early and often!  I’ve made it my mission to give her the information and support she needs to help her feel ok with the changes in her body.

By speaking about it regularly it helps to ensure that she won’t be surprised, but also that she will know what to do and won’t panic! While this may seem like it doesn’t fall under the category of organization, it does to me. It is important that my daughter understands what will happen to her and how the changes in her hormones will affect her. 

Being prepared is a form of organization! (Come on – we all remember that girl from school who thought she was dying when she got her period the first time and personally I don’t want that for my daughter.)

When she was about 8 we read this book – The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, from the American Girl Library.

Using a book as a guide helped us both feel comfortable with talking about sensitive topics, but more importantly, the book was organized so it gave us a structure to talk about things and it is thorough so we didn’t miss anything!

Another great thing about reading with your kids is that it helps them process the information and leaves room for additional questions and allows you to talk about how you can start routines.

It also gives them something to refer back to on their own time. 

As she got older, we went on to the other books in the series and today with her Bat MItzvah just having passed, I think she feels really comfortable talking to me about her body and the changes she is experiencing. (I mean as comfortable as a 12-year-old girl can feel talking to her mom!)

Sometimes she still gets shy about certain things, but she always knows she can come and chat with me and I will give her an honest answer.

Frankly, I would rather her come to me than her asking her friends, or worse googling it –  and getting bad information.

To make her feel comfortable I showed her what sanitary pads and tampons are, and other options she may want to try for her period, like period underwear and cups.  I left a stash in the bathroom so when she needs it she can also try out different things. 

We talk about skincare rituals and even went to a pro to help her get some tips and I keep supplies in the house, like tea tree oil to take care of her skin if she breaks out.  

We talk about how what she eats can contribute to skin issues and hormone imbalance and look for ways to incorporate healthy foods into her diet to help her manage the shifting hormones.

We have looked together for support options that are comfortable for her, for her changing breast shape, and tried many!

Being prepared and helping our kids be prepared is important for when their bodies change and they have needs that are urgent. After all, we never know when the first time will happen and if we will be able to get supplies so good to have a small stash in the house ready.  

Give her the information and tools she needs to organize and prepare herself so she isn’t caught off guard.

For more tips and tricks on how to organize yourself and your family check out the Journey to Organization Podcast.

If you are looking for another awesome ways to protect your daughter – my friend Mimmie posted two tools that every girl should have, a charger so her phone doesn’t die and an alarm keychain in case she is in an emergency – check out her blog for all the details!