Thank you. You taught me a lot about myself that I didn't know!
Wish you could...
It's hard, feeling like you may be disrupting her stage of "innocence," but...
...your daughter isn’t going to magically wake up one morning knowing everything she needs to know about periods.
And even if she starts puberty a little bit later, she has friends who will be starting sooner.
If you don’t teach her, someone else will…and it's important for her to receive the strong, confident message you want to give her of her body. I know it can feel awkward, especially if you didn't get that kind of education yourself, but we don't want that fear to bleed down to our daughters.
As her primary educator, you know these important conversations are on you, but you have so many questions...
When is the right time to start? (Hint: It's probably earlier than you think.)
How do I even start?
What should I say? (And what should I definitely NOT say?)
You know it's the first of many of these kinds of talks - and you want to get it right.
A lot of parents like to start the conversation by sitting down and watching together, but if you just want to purchase the program FOR YOURSELF, so you can feel more confident knowing what to say and how to say it - parents, that's fine, too!
Remember your experience?
Did you feel confident about the approaching changes to your body... or terrified because you had no clue what to expect?
Were you taught about the entirety of the menstrual cycle and the importance of ovulation... or just about periods?
And were you told why periods happen... or just that they were terrible and pain was inevitable?
Our experiences of puberty talks vary greatly, but one thing most parents have in common is that we want the experience for our daughters to be BETTER.
Here's what "better" looks like:
Confident, prepared preteens who actually understand what's going on in their bodies and why
Moms and dads who have the tools they need to support their daughters on this journey
A culture of girls-supporting-girls, not labeling this incredible function of female design as taboo or a "women's curse," but affirming one another in their dignity through thoughtful care
And that's exactly what I teach in Cycle Prep.
A first period course that prepares her AND you for the start of menstrual cycles with science, values, and the dignity of women in mind
Imagine your daughter:
Feeling confident in approaching her first period, knowing exactly what to expect and why
Knowing when things seem off and how to talk to the doctor
Seeing her period (and future fertility) not as a burden or something to just be dealt with, but actually as a beautiful part of God's design for her body
Having a supportive parent who is prepared, informed, and calm about her approaching menarche
This course is perfect for your family even if...
But why so early?
One of the questions I get most often is "When should I start talking to my daughter about her period?" - and people are SHOCKED when I say this course is for girls from 9-11.
"But won't knowing all of this so early, especially that it's not super fun, just make her more nervous?"
Nope. There's more nerves in the anticipation and not knowing. The knowledge doesn't eliminate the uncomfortable aspects of course, but it does empower them to know why it's happening and to actually see it as a good thing.
Because according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, "girls who have been educated about menarche and early menstrual patterns will experience less anxiety when they occur."
And knowing how our bodies work is just a basic right for people at every age.
*If your daughter is older than 11 but hasn't gotten her first period yet, Cycle Prep will still be helpful!
What an excellent workshop! Cycle Prep explains the complex science of the menstrual cycle in a way that is both understandable and engaging for young girls. Being prepared is key, so I recommend this to all young girls and their parents well before they reach menarche.
Getting the conversation started
Gone are the days of awkward fourth-grade presentations, in a room full of pre-pubescent girls who only learn about pads, tampons, and pregnancy prevention.
Which is great...but no one ever taught you how to teach your kids about this (let’s be honest, no one really taught you about this for yourself, either).
That's why parents love Cycle Prep - it respects your role as her parent. I teach you both about the dignity of her body and the amazing work that goes on in the menstrual cycle, which then empowers YOU to set the foundation for a positive puberty and future conversations.
of parents reported that Cycle Prep exceeded their expectations
of parents reported that their daughter's preparedness for her first period was 5/5
of parents reported that their daughter was very prepared for her first period
Although she was initially skeptical, my daughter learned so much from this thorough presentation! The workshop helped her approach me with questions that she surely would never have brought up otherwise (even having had a few body talks before)...The presentation helped move her away from secretive talks among friends towards a more mature, fact-based understanding and appreciation of her body’s rhythm.
So Much More Than Just "What to Expect"
Cycle Prep is broken into eight easy-to-digest modules you can watch together.
(No need for you to prep ahead of time - just hit play!)
Here's what you'll know in a little over an hour (but you don't have to take it all at once!)
ANATOMY
Finally understand what's actually going on in there as we demystify internal female anatomy and the organs involved in the equation of life (egg + sperm = baby).
MENSTRUAL CYCLES
Put meaning to the menses with our unique "Kingdom" analogy, describing the role of four hormones - FSH, estrogen, LH, and progesterone - pivotal to menstruation.
PERIODS
Say goodbye to vague explanations and period anxiety: We break down what it's actually like to have a period, how to use various hygiene products, and what's normal vs. when it's time to call the doctor.
CULTURE OF CARE
Promote period positivity by learning how cycles affect energy levels and moods, what to put in a "period kit," and how to contribute to a culture of girls-supporting-girls around menstruation.
Plus, you get lifetime access, which means you can go back at any time to review as her first period approaches or even rewatch with your younger daughters years from now.
PLUS BONUSES!
For You
Parent Planning Video
This video is JUST FOR YOU! I explain some of the key values in this presentation, offer tips for planning your CYCLE PREP experience, and share ideas for navigating future convos (like... "How does the egg meet the sperm?)
Talking to the Doc:
Never fear talking to your daughter's doctor again. This guide will help you determine whether her cycle is normal and the exact language to say to get the pediatrician to actually listen if it's not (and not just prescribe birth control)
Book Recommendations:
Cycle Prep is going to unlock a whole new depth to conversing with your pre-teen. Keep the conversation going with this list of books on puberty, cycles, and sex.
For Her
Workbook & Discussion Guide
This beautiful 17-page follow-along guide has tons of activities, discussion questions, and additional info to start conversations and keep them going after the presentation!
Period Kit Checklist
She'll feel extra confident and prepared when she takes this list on a shopping trip and finally gets her own kit ready to go!
Cycle Prep for Groups
Get a jumpstart on the Culture of Care by hosting a Cycle Prep workshop for your church, school, or other group!
We offer Cycle Prep group hosting options as well as in-person events.
Answering "What's it going to be like?"
in language they can understand
Concrete Visuals
One of the most common questions I hear from girls is "how much blood am I going to lose?" In Cycle Prep, I literally pour out the entire amount they're likely lose in a cycle to illustrate. I also provide concrete examples for things like cervical mucus so there's no surprises.
The Power of Story
Let's be real, the menstrual cycle can be confusing even for adults. That's why I utilize an allegory of "The Story of the Kingdom," Cycle Prep's unique way of inviting girls to discover the "story" of their menstrual cycle and the hormones that accompany it.
No Fluffy Science
I'm giving our girls the education we wish we'd had. Correct anatomical names, diagrams, and an actual explanation of what's actually happening during period bleeds - our girls deserve to know what's going on in their bodies and not just the high-level overview.
hi there, fellow mom!CYCLE PREP is an incredible gift to moms who desire open and clear discussion with their tweens regarding the specifics of their changing bodies. Christina explains the monthly cycle in a way that inspires awe for the beauty of the female body. I've been an avid fan of NFP for years and even I learned something! I am so thankful for such an amazing resource!
Got Questions?
DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD THIS PROGRAM?
Pearl & Thistle is honored to join with MyCatholicDoctor to provide flexible access options for our acclaimed CYCLE PREP program!
Having access to quality menstrual cycle and period education can make a HUGE difference in the lives of girls and families. So if you’re concerned about being able to afford this program, speak with your MyCatholicDoctor physician today.
We all want our girls to be...
Confident, fearless young women
As prepared as possible for all that faces them in life
In awe of the dignity of their bodies
And that all starts with her first period.
Give her the gift of confidence - in herself and in you - with Cycle Prep.
Stop fearing her first period
and be prepared, together.
Ready for a positive puberty? Get started with Cycle Prep, the first period course that prepares her AND you for the beginning of her menstrual cycles and beyond.
