(((Mulan)))

My introduction to womanhood was very similar to yours, although I'm 20 years older than you, how on earth I worked everything out was a long journey full of misinformation.

My mother told me nothing, we weren't close like that - like you I was silently given towels when I came to her days into my first period (I finally worked out what was happening!). The nurses came to talk to the girls at school about periods but I was 13 by then and it was a year too late.

By not talking about it openly with my mother I believe I mistakenly learned my body was a shameful thing, I was very embarrassed by my periods and some months I couldn't work up the courage to ask her for the pads - I'd fashion my own out of toilet paper and cotton wool, not the best idea. I use a mooncup these days so don't buy those products now but one of my funniest memories is my 5 year old son holding up the tampons at the checkout and loudly asking "what are these?" to the amusement of all around. I told him I'd explain later and I did - we have openness about these things in our family, that was a conscious decision after my upbringing.

Thanks for sharing, hope it helps to know you're not the only one.