As many of you already know I am participating in the Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of U by Kotex Tween. As a mom of 1 teen and 1 preteen I understand how important it is to keep the lines of communication open! Today I am going to share some times on how to help you discuss awkward topics with your daughter. The first time can be stressful but the more you do it the better you will be! TRUST Me!
One of the most important ingredients to enjoying a healthy relationship with your daughter is to have an open line of communication between you two. This makes it easier for both of you to open up to each other, give and take advice/suggestions and concerns, as well as cover sensitive and awkward topics.
Awkward topics, by far, are some of the most daunting talks to bring up, let alone discuss. These topics may cut across a lot of areas, including her menstrual periods, relationships objects of affection, sex education, pregnancy and the like. As a mother, it is important for you to understand that this is a very vulnerable and somewhat nervous phase for your daughter or any young girl. So the way your discussion goes can help her in the long run, or not so much. Feel free to turn to this article and get some helpful tips that will prepare you for these awkward talks with your daughter.
Why You Should Give Her the Talk
Of course, it would be a bit easier if you just waited for her to talk to you at a time convenient for her. However, would you really want to risk the chance of her learning about “it” from someone else rather than yourself? I wouldn’t take that chance if I were you; chances are the teacher will be her friend, who may have more false stories than true about her experiences so far on the subject. Your daughter is priceless to you as a mother, or a parent. And I am very sure you understand exactly what I mean when I say; she means more than she might have calculated. This is why it is important that she gets the gist from you. Although others may care for your daughter, it is undeniable that the mother-element will ease her assimilation in any talk that might be heavy on her mind. By talking to her on important issues, you are sure that she gets fed the right information, and that her questions are entertained properly.
Prepare for the Conversation
Expect that your daughter will ask questions, so you should be prepared to answer them. The best way to have this in the bag is to review your facts for validity and recent trends. The easiest way to get across to her on any topic is to keep it as modern as possible. Let her see in her mind that you actually know what is trending in her generation. Keep in mind that you just have to explain the important things to her, so do not worry about getting too deep with “university terms”. There are sources online for reference such as the Kotex.com/tween/ website that can help you with handling these mother-daughter topics.
Another thing you should remember when preparing for a dynamic conversation is to look back on your own experience. How did you learn about this topic? What approach did your mother or anyone you learnt from use? Was it effective? You can also learn from other moms by going to the Kotex.com/tween and www.ubykotex.com/helloperiod, both sites have great reference and questions to prepare for your talk with your daughter about her period.
Open and Start the Conversation
You do not have to be overly serious about it. As a mother, you should know best about what kind of atmosphere have the room in, while the conversation flows. When the talk eventually kicks into gear, you may be more nervous than you would have thought. But don’t worry, this is natural. Talks like these are usually done at home, and when the other members of the family are away – and you see you can comfortable enjoy sometime together. Entertain her questions and answer them to the best of your capacity. It is okay to lean towards her side a bit in some contexts, she is your daughter, and you want her to feel you can relate to what it is she has brought forward. Even though you don’t share her current views, coming from her view point to convince her otherwise is always easier than vice versa. If she pops a question that you are not sure on how to respond, try not to evade it. Instead, keep it general and re-route her to something that can help take care of the daunting question in this case.
Finally, remember not to make something up for the sake of giving an answer.
*I wrote this while participating in a Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of U by Kotex Tween and received products to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate