This year at my daughter’s physical, another item was added to the list of things we talked about: how much longer until she might start her period. Although there isn’t a guarantee when, her pediatrician was able to tell me they think she has a while. Still, when the day does come, I want her to be as prepared as possible. It has been my life experience that periods were awful enough on their own. And I know I’m not the only one who ran out of tampons on occasion.
Recently, I have also seen a growing number of threads on local moms’ pages with a common theme: what is it that my teen (or pre-teen) really needs on hand in case she starts? If you haven’t yet, consider putting together a period kit for her.
A period kit should contain anything she will need, plus a few things she might just want.
I would recommend having one small kit in her backpack or locker and either a second kit at home or an already stocked bathroom drawer. Don’t overthink it. Here’s what she needs (remember, just a few in her to-go kit):
- Pads with wings
- Pantyliners
- Tampons
- Feminine wipes
- Pain pills, such as Ibuprofen or Midol
- Extra pair of undies
That’s it! Just pop it all in a cute little pouch for her to access quickly should the need arise. Both Kotex and Always make teen lines now and carry a lot of these items. There are also plenty of “natural” lines if your teen is more sensitive or concerned about what’s in her products.
If you just want to grab something quicker, a lot of brands have even taken the work out of it for you entirely. I’ll link some of my favorite options below. Don’t forget to have a heating pad on hand for home, and maybe some chocolate.
Pre-Made Period Kit Options:
- Lola (more natural)
- Individually wrapped (great for purses and backpacks)
- Etsy (a step-by-step and note from mom)
- Etsy (survival/spa box)
