BUT...
There are things we can learn that will help us:
be more confident speaking with our daughters about cycles and periods.
understand WHY her menstrual cycles are not quite "regular," and
be able to recognize specific signs that we might need to chat with the doctor.
create a plan for incremental, age-appropriate conversations rather than dumping one big "sex talk" on our kids.
root our entire family in the Goodness of God's design for our bodies... even when things are a little messy!
I'm a Catholic mom, and I've been a menstrual cycle educator for over 10 years.
I know how important it is for PARENTS, as the primary educators, to have conversations with our kids about growing up.
I know that in today's world, Catholic families in particular have concerns about making sure our girls grow up with POSITIVE messages about their female bodies.
And that we aren't content with the standard "sex ed" approach which lumps VITAL menstrual cycle education in with all sorts of other topics like sex, pregnancy, contraception... and more.
But I also know that my own education and formation growing up didn't prepare me for horrible periods, painful cramps, and the confusion I felt starting my cycles as a teen.
And even working as a Natural Family Planning instructor didn't totally prepare me to understand the key differences between teen cycles and grown women's cycles!
A course to prepare moms, dads, and caregivers with all the information and tools YOU want to know to feel more confident guiding our daughter through the tween and teen years of menstrual cycles.
"Between research-based science, developmentally appropriate language, anecdotal stories, and helpful analogies, Christina has created a course perfect for any parent of girls to help prepare them for puberty and understanding the female cycle. These videos are engaging, informative, and encouraging for both moms and dads; they equip parents for the important conversations. We will be sharing this course with all of our friends who have daughters!"
"Christina is SO smart and knowledgeable. I absolutely adore her courses and have full confidence in what she teaches. I love knowing that what she provides is not only scientifically accurate, but 100% rooted in our Catholic faith."
"I cannot emphasize enough how excellent this course is! The information and resources provided go beyond what is happening biologically during (pre)teen cycles and offer a full picture of how we as parents can confidently show up and support our daughters in their human formation. Christina gives parents a very practical toolkit for what to expect and how to continue conversations on body literacy over time. I highly recommend this course for all parents!"
Not sure what to expect from the tone and content of this series? This intro video will share more!
Learn all about the different hormones and phases involved in the menstrual cycle, and why ovulation is the most important part of the entire cycle.
What is it that makes teen cycles more irregular, and what should I look for to know that my daughter's cycles are within the "normal" range of variation for her age and stage of development?
In addition to the normal "irregularities" which are part of puberty, this section dives into explanations of common cycle health issues that can sometimes be spotted in the teens years. It concludes with advice on getting support from doctors, plus suggestions for additional resources.
Taking guidance from various Church documents and what we know about teen brain development, we'll discuss ways to incorporate faith-based, body positive language into family life in general-- and specifically during this time of change.
This section will explain incremental, age-appropriate suggestions for helping your daughter build body literacy by combining Church guidance with stages of development.
A word of encouragement to reiterate how important Dads are in supporting our daughters! Plus a quick guide to period products, just in case it's helpful. :)
Tips from a cycle educator (and fellow medical mom!) on things to consider as we think about how cycles may impact our daughter's medications, routines, and hygiene needs.
(Or, things I expect you might ask!)
This price is for individual, at home licensing only. If you have ideas for using this program in a group setting, please contact christina@pearlandthistle.com with a pricing and licensing inquiry!
While some general explanations of pubertal development are discussed, the primary focus of this program is menstrual cycles and periods.
Of course! If you believe in the fundamental goodness of our male and female bodies, respect for the natural design of our bodies, and want to help your children embrace that Truth as they grow-- then you'll find a lot of resonance in this program, even if you aren't Catholic.
This course is offered with "lifetime access," meaning you can watch these videos again and again for as long as Pearl & Thistle remains in business :) Hopefully that's a long time!
Whenever you will find it helpful! Some parents may want to take this course before their daughters are even showing signs of puberty, just to be prepared. Others may wait to take a course like this until questions arise with their daughter's cycles. It's entirely up to you! The course doesn't presume you are taking it at any particular time.