I am a big believer that if a cilh is asking a question you should always answer it honestly. If that answer leads to another question, then answer that one honestly. She may not even ask further questions until she has a think about your answer but one thing is for certain, she is old enough to know what a period is and what needs to be done. Just one point I'd like to make, is that tampons shouldn't be used by girls who are just starting to get their periods. It is really important for them to understand their flow, get used to the different hygiene practices and also

is also be surprised if she didnt already know at least a little bit at her age! my daughter was asking about tampons after she saw the "mousey mousey" ad when she was about 5 lol

hasnt she ever seen them in the bathroom or when you go shopping? anyway family planning normally starts in about grade 5 or it did back in my day and they teach about periods and the like then.

like alot of the other mums here i just gave my daughter the truth when she asked "women bleed once a month when they get older and they need to use pads and tampons to get the blood" why? "because thats how the body works to show that you can have a baby"

i didnt really say much else and she didnt ask but shes 6 lol

To be honest with you, I am surprised that she hasn't seen them before and doesn't know what they are for at age 10. 

Girls usually talk freely about such things at a very young age now and even without knowing the gory details, would usually have an idea about periods.

As others have said, do sit down and explain how the menstrual cycle works and why we have them... (Because someone couldn't come up with an easier way???? LOL). 

Seriously, there are lots of pamphlets and books etc. on the topic, and you may wish to find a couple of appropriate information articles about it online that you can read together.

Best of luck, try not to make it sound like too big a deal, I get the feeling she may know a little more than you think and be testing you out. 

I would be honest with her, tell her what they are for in a way that you know she will understand...

I also went to the Stayfree website (link included) and checked out some of the information they had there for teens...I am sure other female product websites will have similiar information and maybe even freebie packs to help you discuss and understand together....

http://www.stayfree.com/teens_forteens.jsp

(No I don't work for one of these companies and this is not an advert for stayfree, but I thought they may of had some info.and stayfree was the only company name I could think of.......)

Good Luck (maybe an advise article would be good, I will need help with this and many other topics within the next 5 or 6 years.....)

Cheers Spinnychic

My daughters 12 (13 in a couple of months) my hubby  and i over the last few years told her what would happen. We were factual and to the point, allowing her to ask Q's and get A's. We also made it alittle on the funny side. She has very quiet personality. Just be yourself and discuss according to your childs personality and age group. You don't need to tell her every thing, just start with tampons and follow her lead. She'll know what she wants to know and will ask. Don't go overboard and overdose her on info. It's alot to take in at their age. I hope this helps.

When I was at school they touched base on this and found it confusing and I was embarressed about talking about it deffenetly talk to her about it while she is happy to hear about it I would also buy a book for her to go throught with her asking her teacher at school might be an idea to so they can also address questions for the your daughter and the other students. I started at 11 and wished I understood why I was going through so much pain.

I agree with the previous postings.  Some girls actually start menustrating by the age of 10.  Granted, there are not that many but some do.  You do not want her to be terriefied when that day comes.  It is a fact of life.  It is not something to be embarassed about.  You do not have to tell her everything in one sitting but it is time to get the conversation started.  If she knows that she can come to you for honest answers then she will.  If she feels like she is not getting the information from you that she needs that she may ask someone else.  It is better that she gets the information from you then from a friend.

My daughter is only 2.  I know that the conversation will come soon enough.  I am not looking forward to it.

Good luck.

Now is the time to tell her all about periods, sanitary items and the changes that are very soon going to start happening to her.

Do your research and be honest about it.  Include things like the risks of using tampons, like toxic shock, because it is a problem for young women when they first get their periods.  Help her make the choices, when the time comes, of the types of pads she would like to use, and buy them together.  All this is very important.  If you become embarrased and try to avoid the issue, she will feel it isn't a normal thing to happen, and be very upset and unprepared for it.

I think the best way to approach this is simplely telling the truth. im actually surprised it has taken til the age of 10 to find one i have 2 older sister (10+ yr gap) and when i was about 6 i found one and my sister sat me down and said whenu get older things start changing.  I think the most important thing is not to make a massive deal out of it. explain it in easy terms without overloading her. dont be shy answer any questions she has i think u would be surprised its more of a big deal for u than her. she will come back to you if she has any more questions. Hope that helps

Its funny you put this here. My daughter no 30 mins ago found some that were on my dresser that I am trowing away (have no womb any more so dont need them) and asked. my daughter is 5 and I just told her that they were for when girls become little women and get a special thing that allows them to know when they are able to have children. Being from a semi religious family (hubby is christian) I just told her that it was a gift even thou some of us think it is a burden (I sure did, LOL)

I would be every open and forthcoming woth her and let her know what you can tell her about them and periods etc. she may be like me and go from nothing to blossom over night.

good luck and there are some great advice articles on here on how to tell them about this.

tell her from a factual standpoint. dont make it sound cold but tell her the facts, the emotional side can come when she actually gets her period. answer all her questions, use information on the net, books whatever.

my son at four asked how babies got out and my partner showed him a good quality you-tube animation of the specifics. he is now six, we have discussed some of the birds and the bees with him in an age appropriate manner and matters of the soul. their perspective on such subjects can be most enlightening especially when not clouded by taboo or stigma.