To prepare your daughter for her first period, from a very early age you want to be using the words “period,” “menstruation,” and so forth, so that it becomes natural– not something “Oh my god!,” no running off to the dark room to talk about. It’s just a fact of life, it’s what happens with women. Second, try to pose it as something very special. You know, the guys don’t get this. They can’t create babies inside of them. This is unique to women. This is like pretty cool. Third, be realistic about the downside– that there is pain and it is messy and it does disrupt your life to an extent. But you just say, “That’s the price you pay for the uniqueness.” Fourth, tell your daughter when her first period hits, “We’re going to have a celebration because it’s a very special event. It’s an incredible moment in your life. You’re becoming a young woman.” How she wants to celebrate is between her and mom. Some girls want to be private. They don’t want the whole family to know. They don’t want their brothers to know, and that’s okay. Respect her privacy but tell her, “Whatever kind of celebration you want, that’s fine, because it means you’re growing up and I’m just so incredibly proud of you.”