I'm a Catholic mom, and my own preparation before my first period wasn't all that great.
But when I became a Natural Family Planning instructor over ten years ago, I began to realize that my experience wasn't unique!!
Women and men from all different backgrounds routinely told me, "I never learned this!" And for men, especially, this knowledge opened up a whole new appreciation for the women in their lives.
So this guide is intended to help boys aged 8-12 understand the biological reality of the menstrual cycle in the context of:
how boys and girls are both made in the image of God
the uniqueness of our male and female bodies
navigating the changes we observe girls going through with puberty
body literacy as a path to living the "truth" of our bodies
PDF download, 35 pages
This parent-son resource is designed to explain the hidden work of the menstrual cycle in an age-appropriate way for boys aged 8-12. It explains the basic functions of four key hormones and contextualizes the onset of this process within the broader discussion of puberty, the "language of the body," and how our bodies (uniquely male and female!) help us live out the universal call to be a GIFT to God and one another.
"I am a very straightforward person so sometimes the language I use comes across as to adult. This helped me navigate that with my boys and also offered some practical tips I had not thought of to use with their sister and friends."
"I wanted to educate my son about this important aspect of life without having it seem gross or weird. I love that it's a simple, Catholic way to explain the menstrual cycle to my son!"
"There's a need for awareness of commonality and differences of each sex, to be more understanding of others especially in this way that is more hidden from boys about girls. This book does that!"
Get your copy today for only $11
contents
God's Image: The Language of Our Bodies
Growing Up: Puberty for Boys and Girls
The Menstrual Cycle: A Hidden Part of Girls' Puberty
Growing Together: Your Part in a Culture of Care
Discussion Questions for Families
Additional Resources for Parents
At Pearl & Thistle, our model of education relies on an incremental, age-appropriate approach! We respect the natural development of the child, rooted in the parent-child relationship.
We believe that it is possible to give our children accurate information about their changing bodies WITHOUT immediately including conversations about sex, marriage, and family planning.
And if you're not sure what that sort of education looks like, then this book is PERFECT for you!