Top tips for managing periods Give her a special pencil case or wallet tokeep a pad or a tampon in, just in case. Help her find out which toilet cubicle/s atschool have a pad disposal bin. Show her how and where to soak bloodstained undies (in cold water) at home beforeputting them in the washing machine.They might startclamming up, and wantmore space to workthings out in their ownway. Tell her she needs to change her pad/tamponabout every 4 hours.The way the world sees and responds to teenagers changes too. A girldeveloping breasts may find herself getting sexual attention she’s not readyfor. Tall boys are able to access the adult world more readily. Talk about who to go to at school if she neededclean underwear, or a pad or tampon. Show her how to make an ‘emergency’ pad outof toilet paper.12 to 14As children reach puberty and their bodies change,they can be extremely self-consious.They want to know ‘Am I normal?’ and ‘How do Ilook to everyone else?’ The opinions of friends andclassmates become more important. Along with thiscomes a new awareness of their own thoughts andfeelings. It can feel like a door opening to a new innerlife, which is fascinating but perplexing too.22They might start clamming up, and want more space to work things out intheir own way. They may have trouble explaining what they are thinking andfeeling, which can be extremely frustrating for them and the people aroundthem.The ‘cute’ crushes that children have had in the past may begin to turn intosomething more like sexual attraction. Many will begin to wonder (if theyhaven’t already) about when they can have a girlfriend or boyfriend, somemore seriously than others. This is a normal, healthy and exciting part ofgrowing up. Sexually, they may (re)discover masturbation.Rules and expectations about gender are often ‘policed’ especially by boysin regard to their ‘manliness’. ‘Tom boys’ may be expected to ‘grow up’ andbecome ‘feminine’.Some young people become sexually active (deep kissing, close touching)by age 14 and a small number will start having sexual intercourse.
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