Daughter's First Period: A Single Dad's Survival Guide

As a single dad, you've enjoyed watching with pride as your daughter hits major milestones, and you have likely acquired more than a few useful skills in your tool belt such as mastering a ponytail. Yet, there is one area of fatherhood that many men find hard to navigate - the first period. According to the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, custodial fathers make up approximately 17% of households in America, which means that there are quite a few daughters who are depending upon their dad for information about menstruation. While her first period does mean that she is growing up, you can support your daughter through this major life event using these simple strategies.

Start Early

Most girls begin their first period between the ages of 9 and 15, and the last thing you want is for her to be confused or scared. Initiating conversations about periods early will also help establish a comfortable environment where your daughter knows she can turn with other potentially difficult topics. If you are unsure of where to begin, try picking up a book written specifically for teens or use a movie or magazine article as a springboard for conversations.

Stock Up

Being prepared for her first period will help to eliminate the awkwardness of a rushed shopping trip at the grocery store. It is also a good idea to suggest she keep a pad in her backpack, just in case she starts her first period at school. Since most girls will develop their own preference regarding brands and pads, it is best to start with a multipack of several different absorbency levels. Then, place the supplies in the bathroom, and make sure she knows where they are and how to use them.

Follow Her Cues

When your daughter does finally start her period, she may announce it with excitement, or she may prefer to let it go unnoticed. Either way, respect her preferences and avoid making too big of a deal if she is not the type to want a big celebration. However, some girls don't mind marking the occasion with a special dinner or low key shopping trip. When in doubt, just ask. She'll appreciate the gesture, even if she prefers not to make it a big deal.

Schedule a Doctor Appointment

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a girl should have her first gynecologist visit between the ages of 13 and 15. Although a full pelvic exam is not necessary until she is sexually active or 18, this early visit will provide your daughter with an opportunity to talk to her doctor about what is normal for her body as it changes. It will also provide her with a trusted resource she can turn to should she encounter any problems with her period such as painful cramps.

Raising a daughter alone will sometimes mean having to navigate through life events that you have never personally experience. Yet, showing your daughter support during her first period will build bonds that last a lifetime. With a small amount of planning and frequent conversations, your daughter can blossom into womanhood with all the information she needs to stay healthy.

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