Before She Gets her Period by Jessica B. Gillooly

Book Review

A short overview of this book

Before She Gets her Period by Jessica B. Gillooly is a book that will help parents to prepare their daughter for her periods (menstruation).

This book focuses 100% on periods and is a really good book that is filled with lots of helpful information, and suggestions on how to get talking, whether your daughter wants to talk or not.

It is filled with lots of exercises and activities that will help you to get talking. And shares lots of stories, which are always interesting to read!

This is an older book that was published in 1998, but it hasn’t really dated, as not a lot has changed with periods. We now have period pants, and talk about gender differently, and girls can now chart their period with an app on their phone, but other than that, not a lot has really changed!

So if you’re looking for a book that will help you with chatting about periods, and you don’t know where to start, then this is the perfect book for the job!

Ideal Age

This book is for parents.

Buy this book

Buy a copy of Before She Gets her Period by Jessica B. Gillooly from Amazon.

Video Transcription

A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener

Hey there! I’m Cath Hak from Sex Ed Rescue, where we cover everything related to sex education. Today, I want to talk about a book that I recently came across. It’s called Before She Gets Her Period: Talking with Your Daughter About Menstruation by Jessica B Gillooly. Now, this book was first published in 1998, but let me tell you, not much has changed when it comes to periods. They’re still periods, right?

Of course, nowadays we have period pants and there’s more discussion around gender and sex. Girls can even track their periods on apps! But hey, be careful with those apps because some of them have some inappropriate content. We want to find something age-appropriate for our daughters.

Now, let’s dive into the book. It’s a chapter book, kind of like a novel, packed with loads of information. But you know what? I was pleasantly surprised. It’s actually a really good book, especially for dads who may not have experienced periods themselves but want to support their daughters.

The book covers a lot of ground. It starts by discussing when to start talking to your daughter about periods. It encourages early and open conversations because girls are starting their periods at younger ages these days. It also explores how culture shapes our experiences with periods. It’s fascinating to see how different countries have different practices, like using cow dung as a menstrual absorbent. It really opens our eyes to the diversity out there.

The book also addresses what it’s like for young girls when they start their periods. Imagine being the first one in your class with breasts, pubic hair, and a period while your friends are still flat-chested. It can be a lot to handle, so this book offers nurturing and gentle guidance.

It’s important to brush up on the facts too. The book helps parents understand the changes their daughters will go through during puberty, not just periods but also mood swings, cramps, and PMS. It even provides tips on how to talk about these topics, because let’s face it, talking about it can be tough. And guess what? It also offers ideas on how to get dads involved in these conversations. It’s all about supporting our daughters together.

But here’s the best part: the book emphasizes that having a period is also something to celebrate. It suggests fun activities and conversation starters. For example, you could plan a holiday and make sure to pack pads, or maybe show your daughter a book with diagrams about periods. It’s all about finding creative ways to engage and educate.

Overall, I really love this book. It’s a gem, even though it’s a bit older. I was hesitant at first because it’s over 20 years old, but I’m so glad I gave it a chance. It’s a practical and useful resource that can help parents start those important conversations with their daughters and prepare them for their first period. And let’s not forget, it’s also a great book for dads who might need a little extra guidance. So go ahead and check it out!

I hope this review gives you a good idea of what the book is all about. It’s packed with lots of words and a few diagrams, but trust me, it’s worth it. Alright, take care and happy reading! Cheers!

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