If there is one area that I know a thing or two about, it’s raising daughters.
With the last of my seven daughters preparing to finish high school, I unexpectedly discovered a resource that I WISH had existed during all my daughters’ preteen years.
In those many years of needing to teach my daughters about their developing bodies, menstruation, and fertility, I struggled to find the right words and resources to answer their questions in ways that highlighted the amazing design of the female body while also preparing them for finding answers (should they have health struggles in the future).
It is a daunting task and sometimes…a difficult one. Some Pre-teen girls feel awkward and resist the conversation while others begin asking questions before mothers feel confident providing answers. Some mothers wait too long, and then never get around to teaching their daughters all the things they want to–I speak from experience because both these things have happened to me.
The saddest part is that these situations (which are an opportunity for a mother and her young daughter to build a trusting relationship) can be lost. Awkward conversations, incomplete information, and the lack of a structure in which to guide a young girl to understand her changing body can make the mother/daughter relationship worse instead of better. Yet, a young girl needs her mother who can be her best friend when it comes to everything, especially questions about her body and reproductive system.
For this reason, it was with great interest that I watched and read about Period Genius by Natural Womanhood.
When we were approached by Natural Womanhood (which has provided a wealth of knowledge to adult women about reproductive health), I was curious to preview this program they created to help address this need for Mothers and their preteen daughters.
What I found was nothing short of impressive! Truly, I cannot imagine finding something better to teach young girls about their changing bodies and the beauty of their reproductive system. I even learned a few things by participating in this program!
Now, let me clarify here that this program is not simply a “period talk” or “sex ed”. Those programs are almost always shocking, misguided, and not Catholic. Instead, Period Genius focuses on equipping preteen girls with a complete picture of their menstral cycle, the purpose behind each aspect of their body, how they can better understand their body through their cycle, and so much more.
What is included in this course are discussions about puberty, the design of the female reproductive system, the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and how to track and chart a menstrual cycle. Additionally, the program covers mood changes, how to take care of your body so that it can work properly, how to manage your period, what is normal menstruation, and when to seek help from a doctor. By learning all the science behind the female reproductive system, girls can truly understand how beautifully they were made.
And the part that impressed me the most? This course is created for mothers to do WITH their preteen daughters, setting YOU up as the expert in this area and the person your daughter will go to when she has questions about her body, health, and fertility.
Now, a question I know mothers will have: does this course discuss sex?
Other than in the Guide to the Science of Fertility section of the written manual for mothers (not daughters), where sexual intercourse is mentioned, there is no mention of how children are conceived by a husband and wife. In the video section of this program, sex is never mentioned.
However, let me say this: a young girl going through this program may have questions for her mother about how children are conceived, and I believe that is an added benefit to this program.
By raising the issue of female fertility and ovulation, the issue of conception may come up and such conversations should be welcomed by mothers! This kind of conversation at a young age gives mothers the opportunity to teach their daughters about sex in a natural, healthy, and Catholic context before the world teaches them the opposite.
However, when and where to discuss sexual intercourse is entirely up to the parent and Natural Womanhood does not interfere with that decision because it does not push this issue upon the child. Instead, the videos for your daughter are thorough (but age-appropriate) and the presentation is incredibly appealing.
Another question I know mothers will have: is this a Catholic course?
Natural Womanhood is founded and staffed by Catholics. However, they intentionally do not present their materials as Catholic, instead focusing on the science and intentional design that God built into our bodies to educate women about fertility. Everything in this course alights with the teachings of the Catholic Church. This program can be used by anyone of any faith, or no faith at all because it teaches THE TRUTH about the female reproductive system. While not explicitly Catholic, I will say that it is implicitly Catholic.
Last question: what is the biggest benefit that I see about this program?
I can tell you that the demands to get your daughters on birth control are everywhere. I have frequently had conversations with other mothers who tell me the same thing, so I know I am not the only one. Putting girls on birth control does not solve any problems in their cycle, it just creates more problems.
Remember Moms: You have been chosen from the beginning of time to be the mother of YOUR daughter. I hope that this program is an aid to you in that endeavor:
Kerri is the co-founder of Holy Heroes and the creator of the “Adventures” they offer free online. She has graduate degrees in history and law. She now homeschools the two children still at home (having successfully sent the six oldest children off to college).
