"You are going to be okay" - Twitter's #myfirstperiod reveals dads are more involved than you might think | Life

31 May 2019

Elizabeth Mamacos

Girls can get their periods as early as 9 years old and as late as 18 years old, but it seems that for many the first time is a surprise, and many girls are caught off guard.

Recently the topic trending on Twitter under the hashtag #myfirstperiod made for insightful reading.

While everyone's story is different, we were struck by how many women revealed that it was their dads who helped them out their first time.

#MyFirstPeriod genuinely happy to see that most girls on this hashtags had fathers who knew what was happening and helped them accordingly... quite funny stories too ??
— Walking King Bed :) (@mitch_officiall) May 30, 2019

#MyFirstPeriod I run to my dad crying I was doing my matric (yes I was daddy’s little girl) it was Xmas day so shops where closed. He went next door to ask for pads on my behalf???????? May his soul rest in eternal peace ???
— Tebogo T (@TherealMadamT) May 29, 2019

#MyFirstPeriod I got when I was 11. I was at school. I was terrified. Went home didnt tell any1, just bathed & went to sleep, hoping it would go away ?? Next morning told my mom. She walked away, called my dad & he showed me how to use a pad & what to expect. My mom wasnt ready??
— Farah C. Fortune (@fcfortune) May 30, 2019

While many fathers were willing to step up, not all of them knew what they were doing, as evidenced by some of the heartwarming stories shared:

#MyFirstPeriod it was June doing grade 8 at the age of 13. The 1st person to know it was my dad.?? He took me to spar and he said I must take all the pads on that shelf ?? nkosiyami????‍?? I remember the total amount of pads alone was R280 basically pads for the whole year??
— Angella (@MamaBoyza) May 29, 2019

#MyFirstPeriod I was 12, my mom had travelled to EC for a funeral so I was left with my dad. Poor man had to search thru moms stuff until he found a pack??. Told me to bath n put it 1on, asked him when do I change it, poor man just said “when it starts burning” ??????.
— Yoli (@YoliHeaven_Sent) May 29, 2019

#MyFirstPeriod I was 12 years old playing 'Matini' outside with my friends until a boy told me my white shorts are red, I quickly ran inside and showed my dad??. He quickly carried me to the bathtub to bathe me and kept saying ' you are going to be okay'. He then tore his vest..
— Adiegh._xx (@mbalie_mudau) May 29, 2019

Girls can get their periods as early as 9 years old and as late as 18 years old, but it seems that for many the first time is a surprise, and many girls are caught off guard.

This can lead to some awkward situations, and sometimes young women have to ask for help or advice from the most unlikely sources.

I was 13 visiting my aunt in PTA for winter holidays yoh the speech i got from her had nothing compared to my mum's on how it wont stop if i ever kiss a boy????#MyFirstPeriod
— MOTHER-OF-BOYS (@Ofentse_Mohau) May 29, 2019

#MyFirstPeriod i was home w/ the helper.. shook and I just knew you had to put on a pad.. i went to get from mums room and thought I gahts this.. did moghel not stick it to herself not my panty..I go tell my helper wasup she was proud until I told her hw I put it..She died ??????
— Potato (@leprechxun) May 30, 2019

While there is still some stigma around women and their periods, this is fading fast, as evidenced by several boyfriends who shared their experiences:

#MyFirstPeriod was with X girlfriend. She had no pads while visiting so she panicked saying she had to leave. I ran out to buy for her. I now keep a packet of pads in my house and my car. The ladies at work know and twice they have asked me for some when they didn't have.??‍????‍????‍??
— Arch-Bishop-Twit-Twit (@AphiweFali) May 29, 2019

#MyFirstPeriod first boyfriend I had in high school knew my periods down to the letter T. He use to know when my periods started and ended, and would buy me hot chocolate and muffins every single morning of my periods each month, and remind me to buy pads days b4 my next cycle. pic.twitter.com/nH1H4KBCGa
— Anele khoza (@aneleamandaKay) May 29, 2019

Another point that was raised is about how girls (and boys) are not informed about menstruation early enough.

These #MyFirstPeriod tweets are really showing how SA women are totally let down by the education system and parents/ guardians when it comes to positive, affirming information about menstruation (before and when it happens).

We need better education EARLIER on menstruation.
— Leila Stein (@radio_leila) May 29, 2019

To help your daughters, nieces, cousins, sisters and friends to be prepared, browse our Period Series to learn everything you need to about how to handle this sensitive, but monumental, milestone.

Share with us:

Share your #myfirstperiod experience with us, and we could publish your story. Anonymous contributions are always welcome.

First period celebrations and not-so-celebrations

INFOGRAPHIC: First period tips and hacks

Help your daughter get ready for her first period

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