celebrate menses

[thesweetsweetness]

Maybe it's because I'm a guy, but the concept of throwing a party for something like this is really weird. If my cock released part of my insides for the first time and I became moody and obnoxious once a month, I wouldn't want a party. I'm not trying to be rude, it's just an odd idea to me. I guess girls are different. But it seems like an odd thing to celebrate. (commence stone throwing)

No stones from me, I completely agree with you.

 

[Lord Pmann]

The point you're missing is that the first period marks the entry into a girl's childbearing years - i.e. it is the point at which, physically, she stops being a child and becomes a woman.

Right. Like the first time I masturbated or had a wet dream.

 

[Eilan]

If I had a daughter who started her periods, I'd be showing her these and calculating just how many tons of waste would be saved by someone using one for the whole of their menstruating life (me, I only found and fell in love with them about 5 years ago).

http://www.mooncup.co.uk/

I've had a Diva Cup since 2009, and I regret not getting one sooner.

Now that I have two daughters who are menstruating *cries* and two daughters who will be getting their periods in the next three or four years, I'm seriously considering going the cup route with them to cut down both on waste and on money spent on products. Assuming, of course, that they'd be open to giving cups a try. My oldest isn't even a little interested bit in All Things Menstrual.

 

[thesweetsweetness]

I've had a Diva Cup since 2009, and I regret not getting one sooner.

Now that I have two daughters who are menstruating *cries* and two daughters who will be getting their periods in the next three or four years, I'm seriously considering going the cup route with them to cut down both on waste and on money spent on products. Assuming, of course, that they'd be open to giving cups a try. My oldest isn't even a little interested bit in All Things Menstrual.

You could always try mama cloth too. I have a cup and cloth. But I still use traditional products. Variety is the spice of life! lol

 

[fire_breeze]

Would this be like having a party for a guy when he has his first wet dream?

Maybe it's because I'm a guy, but the concept of throwing a party for something like this is really weird. If my cock released part of my insides for the first time and I became moody and obnoxious once a month, I wouldn't want a party. I'm not trying to be rude, it's just an odd idea to me. I guess girls are different. But it seems like an odd thing to celebrate. (commence stone throwing)

No stone throwing. In most cultures, there are rites of passages for boys, except those are usually age related as opposed to physically related. In other words, it's at that age that the boy is considered to be responsible for himself, and to be a contributing member of his society as a social and familial provider. Rites of passages, regardless for what, are both teaching tools for the initiates (this is why it's important, this is your role, here's your importance to ensure the continued smooth functioning of our world) and a reminder for those who have been initiated (here's why being a mother or father is important, here's why being a good hunter or warrior or teacher or priestess or healer is important). Finally, successful completion of a rite of passage will enable the society to acknowledge that the person is someone new (so the society acknowledges the girl as woman - until society views her as a woman, she can bleed like a stuck pig, but she's still just a girl).

In modern Western/Industrial societies, rites of passages are virtually non-existent. Additionally, at least out here, menstruation was considered to be an 'illness' or a 'curse' when in fact it is a hallmark for a healthy female who is now capable of being a mother. Most modern Western menses celebrations were developed in a way to stop negative thinking about this completely natural occurrence and to reclaim feminine positivity. In other words, it was meant to lift the shroud of negative connotations and to encourage girls to view this as something natural, not as a curse or an illness that should be hidden or be ashamed of.

And yes, I agree, something should be done for boys as well - I know that my brothers had a little something after their first shave - I think they went out with Father to buy their first razors and then out for ribs or something - a type of male-bonding moment.

And I went waaaay off tangent. Again. I'll shut up now.

 

[Eilan]

You could always try mama cloth too. I have a cup and cloth. But I still use traditional products. Variety is the spice of life! lol

I'd be totally on board with some of those products. The amount of waste we generate every four weeks or so is unreal! Fortunately we're on pretty much the same schedule.

And I went waaaay off tangent. Again. I'll shut up now.

Please don't shut up. I learn a lot from your posts.

 

[thesweetsweetness]

I'd be totally on board with some of those products. The amount of waste we generate every four weeks or so is unreal! Fortunately we're on pretty much the same schedule.Please don't shut up. I learn a lot from your posts.

Each woman would need their own cup I feel, although I suppose you could share cloth. It's cheaper to go reusable in the long. Plus stopping the use of bleached, over absorbent tampons will help relieve cramps, reduce the amount of bleeding and have no risk of TSS. Combined with the reduced waste, makes it a pretty awesome choice.

 

[SweetErika]

Each woman would need their own cup I feel, although I suppose you could share cloth. It's cheaper to go reusable in the long. Plus stopping the use of bleached, over absorbent tampons will help relieve cramps, reduce the amount of bleeding and have no risk of TSS. Combined with the reduced waste, makes it a pretty awesome choice.

I've looked into the DivaCup and Mooncup in the past, but put it on hold because I had issues with the Instead cups and kind of figured my body wasn't well-suited for a cup solution (I have a weird cervix ). Then again, now that Costco has stopped carrying my Playtex tampons and I'm finding the Tampax to be crapola, I might reconsider trying a cup again.

Pads squick me and are totally not an option for primary protection.

Which cup do you have?

 

[Lord Pmann]

No stone throwing. In most cultures, there are rites of passages for boys, except those are usually age related as opposed to physically related. In other words, it's at that age that the boy is considered to be responsible for himself, and to be a contributing member of his society as a social and familial provider. Rites of passages, regardless for what, are both teaching tools for the initiates (this is why it's important, this is your role, here's your importance to ensure the continued smooth functioning of our world) and a reminder for those who have been initiated (here's why being a mother or father is important, here's why being a good hunter or warrior or teacher or priestess or healer is important). Finally, successful completion of a rite of passage will enable the society to acknowledge that the person is someone new (so the society acknowledges the girl as woman - until society views her as a woman, she can bleed like a stuck pig, but she's still just a girl).

In modern Western/Industrial societies, rites of passages are virtually non-existent. Additionally, at least out here, menstruation was considered to be an 'illness' or a 'curse' when in fact it is a hallmark for a healthy female who is now capable of being a mother. Most modern Western menses celebrations were developed in a way to stop negative thinking about this completely natural occurrence and to reclaim feminine positivity. In other words, it was meant to lift the shroud of negative connotations and to encourage girls to view this as something natural, not as a curse or an illness that should be hidden or be ashamed of.

And yes, I agree, something should be done for boys as well - I know that my brothers had a little something after their first shave - I think they went out with Father to buy their first razors and then out for ribs or something - a type of male-bonding moment.

And I went waaaay off tangent. Again. I'll shut up now.

I was kidding. I don't think I'd want a celebration of my first ejaculation. In fact, I'd rather wear underwear made of bees. I suppose girls are different, but this literally seems like the most awkward thing imaginable in our society. When I turned into a a teen/man capable of having children, I wanted to be left alone to masturbate quietly. I didn't want a party for it.

Again, I'm not trying to be an ass. Trying being the operative word. This whole concept is just the weirdest thing I've ever heard. I can't imagine an awkward young girl enjoying it. Just my two (male) cents.

 

[NomadLady]

I think the decision should be hers....and hers alone with no pressure. You mentioned she is not very sure of herself so to "celebrate" something she might also be unsyre of may not be in her best interests.

 

[fire_breeze]

I was kidding. I don't think I'd want a celebration of my first ejaculation. In fact, I'd rather wear underwear made of bees. I suppose girls are different, but this literally seems like the most awkward thing imaginable in our society. When I turned into a a teen/man capable of having children, I wanted to be left alone to masturbate quietly. I didn't want a party for it.

Again, I'm not trying to be an ass. Trying being the operative word. This whole concept is just the weirdest thing I've ever heard. I can't imagine an awkward young girl enjoying it. Just my two (male) cents.

I'm not saying you're being an ass *laughs*. I'm just pointing out that celebrating menses for cultures that do is/was a rite of passage the same way as boys become men, either at an age, or the first kill, or first shave or whatever.

First ejaculation is not, and as far as I know never has been, equated to menarche. It's not the same and is completely different. I would say that your first shave is more comparable to menarche than your first ejaculation. I'm obviously not a male so I cannot speak from the ejaculation point of view, but I can assure you that having your period - no matter how body positive your family is and how prepared you are - is somewhat traumatic. Something positive, even if it's a favourite dessert, off-sets that trauma and alleviates your fears and makes it bearable. Not dealing with it at all can potentially confuse the girl.

Also, these things are awkward to us because for the past two centuries, Western societies in general did not have rites of passages. It will not be awkward for societies around the world because children grew up seeing this and couldn't wait to experience them for themselves.

That being said, I do agree with going what the girl wants and to make her feel comfortable. If she's unsure, then something small and low-key is the thing, or to deal with the event practically. YMMV.

 

[Flybigirlsea]

I've looked into the DivaCup and Mooncup in the past, but put it on hold because I had issues with the Instead cups and kind of figured my body wasn't well-suited for a cup solution (I have a weird cervix ). Then again, now that Costco has stopped carrying my Playtex tampons and I'm finding the Tampax to be crapola, I might reconsider trying a cup again.

Pads squick me and are totally not an option for primary protection.

Which cup do you have?

I currently use the Divacup...works well and is very comfortable.

 

[desertslave]

How about a "girls day out" with her? Do some shopping with a 'best friend' mindset. Don't be her mom for a day, just another female on the same adventures. If she's into clothes, let her take the lead and tell you what she likes. Try on crazy stuff. Same with shoes or accessories. Just have fun!

Or maybe a mini spa day, or a makeup lesson if she's so inclined.

And definitely a lunch out with something decadent for dessert.

The point is, fuss over her, make her feel special so that she remembers this when she's the victim of crazy hormones and cramps and screaming at a zit that shows up at the worst possible time.

Just don't tell her that she has about 40 years to deal with this stuff.

 

[AdjectiveNounVerb]

I feel like I should be reading all the women's profiles on this thread to try and figure out which one of y'all is my girlfriend (not that I think she actually has ever visited Literotica). She swears by the Diva Cup and has told just about every menstruating friend and relative of hers to get one. And, menses celebrations are a tradition in her family (assuming it counts as a "tradition" if her mom did it for her and her sister and her sister is planning one for her niece).