Talking about menstruation early is a good idea. Girls get their first period as early as eight years old and as late as 15, although the average is around 12. If you prepare your daughter for what’s coming it will make the experience much smoother for her. Armed with the facts and knowing that she’s going to experience what all girls have been through since time immemorial, she will be able to take it in stride and possibly even celebrate it as the rite of passage it is.
Even before the age of eight, your daughter may express interest or ask questions about her body and its functions. She may notice your feminine hygiene products and wonder what they’re for, for example. The best thing to do is to be clear and accurate but keep it simple and appropriate for her age. Instead of giving her all the information at once, you can work it in during many casual conversations.
If your daughter hasn’t been asking many questions, it’s up to you to initiate the conversation about menstruation. Don’t assume she knows, since the information she’s getting from elsewhere may be inaccurate and unreliable.