And now that the sunny vacay plans have arrived, the brighter, longer days inspire regular visits to your local leisure center pool-plus wild swimming adventures. Summer is here, and it means an influx of water-based fun.

Let us separate facts from myths with the period swimwear. Swimming, while you are on your period, is not unhygienic, and you will not leave a trail in the water.

This makes skipping pool parties and swimming classes a thing of the past. The period-proof swim bottoms are here to save the day. Your tween can officially take a dip without worrying about surprise leaks or visible Tampax stains.

Read on to know how to swim on your period, no matter how heavy the flow.

What Is Period Swimwear?

Will you tell the difference between period swimwear and regular swimsuit bottoms when your tween is with her peers on the beach? We didn’t think so.

Period swimwear looks exactly like regular swim bottoms, the only difference being that it contains a hidden lining that helps absorb your tween menstrual fluid and protects against leakage.

And yes, the period swimwear has been specifically designed to work underwater. It is excellent for providing a backup solution if your tween uses menstrual cups or tampons. Some menstrual swimwear also has room for a pad.

Period swimwear is designed for your tween to use while swimming during periods, incontinence, or vaginal bleeding. Period swimwear differs from period underwear in that you can swim with it.

How Does Period Swimwear Actually Work?

Are you the type of woman who believes that period and swimming don’t mix? Well, your tween, you can still go for swimming classes, as she relaxes in the water, as we all know that it works wonders (being inside the water) when you are cramping, feeling ‘period bleurgh’ or bloated.

A period-proof bathing suit can hold up to 10ml (two tampons’ worth) of menstrual blood. It has upper and lower leakproof mesh technology (others have three layers). The triple-layer gusset absorbs your tween’s flow and detects leaks when she is in and out of the water.

The upper mesh layer is meant to fight bacteria and stop any smell, as it is the absorbent layer. Thanks to its antimicrobial technology, which helps wick away moisture and sweat while neutralizing odors.

The second layer is a super-thin, highly absorbent liner that holds the power of three tampons or pads. The bottom mesh layer is water-repellent because it is made from recycled nylon. This helps prevent your menstrual blood from flowing into the water around you, as much as it prevents the water from getting in. The bottom layer is also chlorine-resistant and UV50 plus-rated.

This tween bathing suit will “kill” the story of the dye our parents used to tell us would show up if you dared wee in the water! Some period bathing suits are “period and pee friendly.”

Your tween might want to ensure that the swimwear sits snugly under her vulva. When the period swimwear has no space around her legs, no water will get in.

This period swimwear will protect your tween from pelvic floor mishaps, light period, and spotting.

Can Anyone Tell It Is Period Swimwear?

No one can tell when your tween is wearing her period pants for swimming. This is because the swimwear’s absorbent gusset is very discreet that even she has to look very closely to notice the lining. It is thin and not bulky at all.

The only time someone might notice that your tween is wearing period swimwear is if they also own the same type of swimwear.

Best Period Swimwear For Tweens

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Associates program and other affiliate programs that earn us a commission if a qualifying purchase is made. Some of the links below are compensated affiliate links.

Modibodi Teen Swimwear Bikini Brief

The Swimwear Bikini Brief from Modibodi is an affordable period bikini bottom that your tween can pair with their existing bikini or tankini tops.

This bikini is available in navy and black, and in a limited-edition hibiscus flower and wavy pink if your girl prefers a pop of color.

They are best for light flow (10 ml) and are designed specifically for younger bodies. Sizing starts from a girl’s size 8-10 through to size 16-18.

Find it on Modibodi

Knixteen Period Swim Sport One-Piece

The period-proof sport swimwear from Knixteen is great for your tween girl as it has a variety of trendy colors and prints. If your tween has not gotten the hang of using tampons, then this period swimsuit one-piece got her!

It is a sleek one-piece that will leave your tween girl feeling hot and forgetting all about her periods, as it is for medium absorbency. With this period swimsuit for swimming, your tween will swim freely and fearlessly on her period.

Available in size XXS, suitable for your smallest tween who’s already started her period.

Find it on Amazon

Ruby Love Teen Period Swimwear Ruffle Set

Who can guess that this hot tween period swimwear ruffle set is secretly doing the job of three tampons! This gorgeous swim set from Ruby Love will allow your tween to swim and surf worry-free and in style.

This swimwear is made up of 80% nylon and 20% spandex, with a leak-proof layer that is two layers of 100% absorbent cotton and dri-tech mesh.

Available in sizes XXS, ideal for young girls just starting their period, all the way through to ladies.

Find it on Ruby Love

Period Swimwear – Black Menstrual Leakproof Bikini Bottoms

This tween swimwear from Savvi Wear Store has extra leakproof protection, style, and comfort for your tween to enjoy while in the water. It is a quality period-proof reusable swimwear with light-moderate absorbency.

With a bamboo lining, it perfectly absorbs and fights smell for your tween’s best hygiene with no period smells. It’s a tween’s period swimwear ideal for menstrual periods, discharge, and spotting. It is easy to clean and machine wash friendly BUT remember not to use a fabric softener.

You’ll find sizing all the way down to 3X-small.

Find it on Amazon

Knixteen Period Swim High Rise Bikini Bottom

Period swimwear for tweens that is high-rise is the thing. They have risen in popularity for offering more coverage than traditional bikini bottoms. These high-rise bikini bottoms from Knixteen claim to soak up three teaspoons of blood with zero leaks or drips.

The period swims twist high-rise bikini bottom will ensure that your tween is comfortable during all her outdoor activities that involve splashing around in the water. With a wide size range starting from XXS, it is perfect for your tween to choose from.

Find it on Amazon

Ruby Love Period Swimwear Skinsuit

We are always concerned about sun safety when our tweens are on the beach. That is no more with this period swimwear skin suit that has more coverage, helping protect your tween from the harsh and dangerous UV rays.

With a comprehensive nylon/spandex fabric, this Ruby Love swimwear keeps everything in place while the organic cotton absorbs up to three tampons’ worth. It is flattering, with a high neck, a super-comfy fashion zip, and a rush guard. It is available in large and junior sizes starting from XXS.

Find it on Ruby Love

Beautikini Athletic Period Suit

The Beautikini athletic period suit for tweens is great as it provides them with the most personal protection in their dancing, fitness, swimming, and other sports. It has an absorbent midsection that is equivalent to two tampons’ worth.

The Beautikini swimsuit is designed to replace other femcare products that your tween uses while swimming.

It can, however, be used with tampons or menstrual cups for extra protection as it is made from high cotton fabric, making it soft and breathable.

Find it on Amazon

RED Recycled Swimwear One Piece

If your tween needs swimwear that supports up top and down low, check out this Modibodi one piece that promises protection from light-moderate flow and spotting both in and out of the water.

The Modibodi Red feels like regular swimwear but with a built-in patent-pending lining to absorb fluids and fight odor and bacteria. To activate the gusset tech, you must wash it before you wear it after purchasing.

Available in youth size 8-10, this is an ideal first period swimsuit for a tween (light to moderate flow, 10ml).

Find it on Modibodi

Ruby Love Teen Period Swimwear One Shoulder

Your tween can’t wait to wear this new off-shoulder ruffled swimsuit from Ruby Love!

It is a stylish and discreet swimsuit that no one has to know that your tween is on her period. It is a slim and flattering fit that holds up to three tampon’s worth, and no one will ever find out.

Find it on Ruby Love

Ruby Love Teen Period Swimwear Tank Set

If your tween needs protection but wants to look cute, this Ruby Love two-piece that comes in a handful of colors is the right tank set for her.

It has adjustable tie bottoms made with dri-tech mesh liner ensuring no leakage from all sides and even allowing room for a pad as backup protection.

Available from XXS its a cute and stylish swimsuit solution for your tween girl who wants to be confident in the water this summer.

Find it on Ruby Love

More Advice for Tween Periods

Getting ready for your little lady’s transition to womanhood? Helping parents and tween girls on their journey through menstruation, you may also want to read:

• Our guide to helping your pre-teen daughter prepare her first period kit
• How to track periods – best period tracking apps for tweens
• Picking the best pads for a small tween girl just starting out
• When should tweens’ first be using tampons? Our honest views on suitable sanitary products for beginners

The post Perfect Period Swimwear For Tweens: Top Trends for Summer 2026 appeared first on Tween Parent | Family Lifestyle Blog.

Entering middle school can be a big adjustment for kids, and while the school will help prepare them a little, there are more things you can do at home to help them succeed.

Did you know that research has shown that in the tween years that a lot of children lose interest in school? There are a few reasons for this.

• Many of their interests change. They may care more about their friends and the social aspect of school rather than grades and classes.
• Their bodies are changing. They are at the age where their bodies are going through changes, and they are developing.  
• Middle school can be more demanding. When kids enter middle school, there are more demands that need to be met. That may mean more schoolwork or homework, more classes they will have to take, more sports activities, and others.

As parents, we may not be able to control everything that happens, but we can help prepare them for what is about to come and the beset way to handle those changes. These are a few of the things that you can do when it comes to preparing your tween for middle school.

Talk About Changes That May Be Coming

One of the first things you should do after they finish elementary school is to talk with them about middle school and some of the changes that are going to happen. There are two huge changes that will most likely be happening and those are 1) going to a new school and 2) having to adjust to all of the new classmates they may meet and mingle with.

There may be other changes they are worried about or that you haven’t thought about. Sit down and talk with them to see what they may be worried about or what they are curious about. Flat out asking them may be one of the best ways to get a feel for what they are thinking about when it comes to transitioning.

As they talk, be sure to let them know that even though this may be a scary time with a lot of adjustments, there will be lots of fun and excitement that come along with the change.

Start Establishing a Routine for the Upcoming Year

With middle school comes more responsibilities and many changes. Just like their younger school years, having a routine can really help your tween through the middle school years. Some parents like to start routines during the summer months or a month or so before the new school year starts. This can ensure that your child is eased into the new changes and not just thrown into them.

While you help your tween establish a new routine, it is also a good time to help them learn more about being organization and of course, time management.

In the middle school years, they will be juggling classes and different assignments from each of those classes. They will also be switching classes between bells and having to be on time for their next class. Teaching them some organizational skills will help them keep everything together so they can find it when they need it. Time management skills will help them be on time to their classes.

Another good routine to start is to get your child to pack their bookbag or lunch bag the night before. They can also lay out their clothes the night before so they can get up, eat breakfast, and get ready. All of these will help make the school morning run smoother.

Attend Orientation or Schedule a Tour of the School

Most schools offer orientation days where kids and parents can meet their teachers and get to know the layout of the school a little more and where their classes will be. If your school doesn’t do an orientation, you can always call the school to see if they will give you and your new middle schooler a look around.

Attending the orientation, or a tour of the school, can help them see what their new environment is going to be like. They won’t come in on the first day and wonder where they are going, where the restrooms are, or where their lockers and classrooms will be. Instead, your tween will be a little more prepared and know exactly where their classes are going to be.

Get All the Supplies They Need for the Year

Oh, the joys of back-to-school shopping! As parents, we may not have fun shopping for new clothes and school supplies for the new school year, but your tween may enjoy it.

Shopping for new school supplies and clothes may also excite them for the upcoming year and take their mind off the stress and fears of the transitions.

In addition to your typical folders, notebooks, and pencils, let your child pick out different accessories for their lockers. Their lockers will store everything they need during the school year, so making it their own can be helpful. They’ll feel joy and comfort when opening their lockers and seeing some of their favorite things.

Tip: get them familiar with combination locks. Locks are not something they may have had to worry about in elementary school, but in middle school, they will typically need a combination lock for their lockers. Have them practice locking and unlocking the combination lock beforehand so that they know the process and can get it down.

Encourage Your Tween to Be Social

Middle school is when kids start to be more social. The social aspect of middle school can be one of the most challenging parts of the entire process.

It’s the time when they can join social groups, get involved in extracurricular activities, and make new friends. Encourage them to be social and to take part in these activities. Encourage them to be friendly with everyone and not to treat anyone any differently.

What You Can Do as a Parent

While your tween figures out their new routines and starts their middle school journey, there are a few things you can do as a parent to ensure they are on track.

1. Stay on top of their academics and make sure they are doing their schoolwork so they don’t get behind.
2. Stay positive and upbeat about the upcoming changes. This will help your tween be more excited too.
3. Check in with them periodically to see how they are doing and if they are facing any trouble that you can help with.
4. Talk with their teachers to be sure they are doing well.
5. Encourage and reward responsible behavior.
6. Be there for your tween when they need advice or want to talk about how they are feeling or things that may be happening.

The transition from elementary school to middle school can be hard for kids. Getting them prepared and helping them navigate that change can help them succeed and do well during that transition.

More Parenting Reads And Ideas For Your New Middle Schooler

If your tween is just about to finish elementary school, here are some fun and endearing gift ideas for an elementary school graduate.

Have your girl looking her best, beautiful elementary school graduation dresses

For farewell speeches and graduate gift cards, some inspiring elementary school graduate quote ideas

Shop early for your Middle School supplies, and don’t forget a cool backpack that can fit all their books and tech needs.

The post Preparing Your Tween For Middle School – Positive Steps To Take Now appeared first on Tween Parent | Family Lifestyle Blog.

Tween is short for “Tweenager” – a made-up word really for that “in-between” stage from early childhood to hitting puberty and becoming a teenager. The moniker “tween” is believed to date back to the 1980s.

There is no strict definition of age, but generally, it’s accepted to mean kids that fall in the 9 to 12-year-old age group (though there are plenty of definitions that describe it as 10 to 14 years of age, others say it starts as young as eight).

Whilst the teenage years are most commonly associated with growth spurts, mood swings, attitude changes, and of course puberty, tweens have their fair share of physical and more importantly emotional development needs that need to be met too.

Pre-teens, pre-adolescents, call them as you will; some kids will glide slowly and gracefully through this childhood phase with few changes in their demeanor, while others will confront the tween years front on and with full abandon.

Tween Developments and Changes

It can certainly catch us parents off guard when habits and moods in our little child suddenly start to change. Some of the changes that may occur during early adolescence include:

Mentally – During the tween years, our children’s brains are going through a period of fairly rapid growth and development. Far more capable than their younger peers in reasoning, problem-solving, and anticipating consequences, but often still in a self-centered way.

Socially – Where parents/caregivers and siblings are very much the center of their world in the early years up to about 7 or 8 years old, tweens will start to gravitate more towards their peers. The need to ‘fit in’ will become far more prevalent and friendship dynamics can change.

Physically – Toward the later part of the tween years, don’t be surprised by sudden growth spurts, endless eating, increased sleep, weight gain, and changes in physical appearance. Not to mention hair growing in funny places, growing genitals, and the onset of menstruation in girls.

Independence – Once they would immediately turn to a parent or adult for help, there is a far greater desire to ‘work it out’ for themselves, even embarrassment if you try to interject – or stand close to them in public.

Responsibility – Along with this independence is the granting of responsibility; perhaps to look out for their siblings for short periods, to run an errand for you, or to clean their own room. It will vary vastly by the child, but most will have the CAPABILITY, if not the desire, to be seen as responsible.

Top Tips For Parenting Tweens

Whilst most of us probably read endless books and articles on the early childhood years, once our kids are happily off to elementary school, we tend to put down the parenting manuals and rely much more on our parenting intuition.

It’s fair to say you may require a small (or big!) change in your approach or parenting style once you hit the tweenage years. There’s a delicate balancing act between keeping your kids close whilst giving them the independence and responsibility they need to prepare them for adolescence thoroughly.

Here are just a few pointers for parenting tweens to consider:

• Pushing the boundaries – Be ready to set limits and stick with them, but include your tween in the reasoning process, or it will just feel like rules for rule’s sake. Explain why a certain rule needs to be implemented and let them contribute to where a boundary should be set.

• A united front – This is also the age where children realize that they can quite consciously pick one parent over the other to raise their issues or get things their way. Whether parents are living together or not, it helps to decide important matters together.

• Pick your battles – Oh, how many times have you heard this? Just when you thought it was over letting your toddler wear his Batman costume for three days straight, you need to take the same approach with your tween too. Set the rules firmly and fairly, but decide which ones matter when they’re broken.

• Perplexing personalities – Budding football star one day, fashionista the next. They are truly working out their place in the world, and what was ‘cool’ one day will make them a laughing stock the next. Be prepared for these rapid changes in interests, be supportive, and go with the flow.

• Give them room to expand new hobbies- Be it sports or a new computer game they want to try – but connect with them about it too. Offer to come and watch their games, ask how they felt they played that day, or what did they enjoy today about that online game (I have a far more intimate knowledge of Minecaft than one ever would have thought necessary for a grown adult that’s never played the game!)

• Don’t dish out on their modern role models – Sure, we’ve got no idea who that YouTube star is or can’t stand that song they keep on playing, but it’s THEIR interests forming part of their personality. Be involved, question, guide on what’s appropriate, but don’t pay out or be overly judgmental when it isn’t needed.

• Affection deflection – Cuddles and kisses may not come so quickly and easily once they hit the tween years. It doesn’t mean they don’t love you just the same or get some pure joy still out of those deep warm mama hugs; it just means there’s a time and a place for it.

• Personal space – On the same lines, there will be an increased need for their own time and space and some privacy. Make sure family timetables aren’t so packed they don’t get any of that ‘me time’ they might crave, and they have somewhere at home to call their own.

• Increased workload – Expectations don’t just change at home when it comes to chores and pulling their weight, but at school, too; subjects become more challenging, and homework expectations change. This can add to their overall mental load, and they may need help organizing competing demands from home, school, and friends.

• Be puberty prepared – Although we may think of puberty being a teen parent issue, tween girls especially can hit puberty early. Don’t assume they will learn everything they need to from school, or heaven forbid TikTok; guide them to accurate and reliable resources if they are too embarrassed to ask their questions directly (We have a good guide to online parental and tween health resources here).

• Role model good behavior – Basically, practice what you preach; if it’s healthy to get exercise and fresh air every day and not be stuck on a screen, all of you should do it! And life doesn’t have to always be serious, show them you can still muck around and goof off in fun and respectable ways – growing up doesn’t need to be boring!

Whilst the tween years may not seem like the most stressful compared to all the other ages and stages a child goes through, they’re certainly the most formative of their childhood. It’s where personalities develop, where habits become set, and views on the world around them are formed.

It can be a roller coaster but a fun and amazing one if you’re prepared to jump aboard and enjoy all those ups and downs!

More Tween Parenting Reads

If you’re entering the murky water of tween parenting and seeking out a little more guidance, you’ve come to the right place. Up next, you may want to jump into one of our most-read tween parenting blog topics, including:

How to deal with your tween’s excess phone usage – rules for your whole family to live by
Has your young lady’s mood and demeanor changed? How to cope if you think your tween girl is now the mean girl
Let’s face it; a time will come when you need to start having some awkward conversations with your son – here’s how we’d tackle those touchy subjects.
Is your daughter reaching puberty early? Here’s how to discuss first bras and prepare her for menstruation
Why it’s important to also talk to our sons about girls’ periods
Positive ways to discipline tweens without the domestic battlelines being drawn

So Tell Me More About Tween Parent

In our little corner here of the internet, tweenparent.com hopes to arm parents with the confidence they need to get them through the tween years. From helpful resources to gift shopping guides, a little spot on the internet dedicated to the pre-teen years and preparing you for the teen years ahead.

Pleased to have you on board!

If you’d like to see our latest tween parent guides as they’re published just pop your email at the bottom of this page.

The post What is a “Tween”? Tween Meaning Explained appeared first on Tween Parent | Family Lifestyle Blog.

Most parents worry a lot about finding the best pad that will work for their tweens. And yes, your tween daughter will need you to educate her on pads and tampons before the time arrives to adjust comfortably to the changes of puberty.

Luckily for your tween, there are many pads to choose from. However, the difficulty lies in finding “the right one” that will fit her yet to fully mature body.

With time, your tween will learn all about her menstrual flow and find a safe and comfortable sanitary pad that will be a game-changer for her. The right pad will help her feel confident during what can often be a difficult phase of growing up.

TL;DR – these are the top three pads we recommend for first periods:

Find it on Amazon

Find it on Amazon

Find it on Amazon

Girls’ periods usually start between the ages of 9 to 12, and we need your tween to be prepared for when the day comes. While your tween might have come across a pad either from you, friends, health classes, or TV commercials, be sure to explain that they are meant to help manage periods and stay clean and dry while menstruating.

Types Of Pads

Pads are rectangles (or more like surfboard-shaped!) absorbent inserts that attach to the inside of a tween’s pants to catch menstrual blood. They are also referred to as sanitary pads or sanitary napkins.

Some of the pads have extra material on the side (“wings”), which fold over the edges of your tween’s underpants, helping to hold the pad in place and prevent leaking.

Your tween should change her pad every 3-4 hours, even if your tween has light flow. Your tween girl might need to change her pad more often with heavy flow. Two types of pads do the same job, but they are used a little differently:

Disposable Pads

Most of these pads have a sticky strip along the bottom. Your tween should peel off the paper strip that covers the adhesive and press the pad into the crotch of their underwear. If the pad is “winged”, she wraps the wings around the bottom of the crotch.

When it is time to change or remove the pad, your tween will unstick the pad from their underwear and wrap it in toilet paper, tissue, or the wrapper of the replacement pad. Your tween should then dispose of it in the trash can or a safe disposable bag and wash her hands thoroughly.

Emphasize to your tween that pads are not to be flushed down the toilet as this may cause toilet clogging and make a big mess.

Reusable Pads

Your tween will need to wash these pads every time she wears them. Its concept is the same as that of a single-use disposable pad. These pads are designed to snap or clip securely onto a girl’s underwear and absorb their menstrual flow. They are by far more environmentally friendly but require a lot more work.

Features of Tween Pads

Tween pads are similar in design and function to regular pads, with the important difference being their size.

Tweens have smaller bodies; therefore, tween pads offer more comfort and convenience of use. You should also consider the following features;

• Organic Cotton; when choosing the right pad for your tween girl, remember that she is especially susceptible to hormone imbalance and infections; therefore, ensure their reproductive organs are not exposed to tainted cotton.
• Absorbency; for your tween, springing a leak during her period is embarrassing times ten and then squared! When choosing a sanitary pad for young girls, make sure it features superior absorbency. Even if larger and less comfortable, if she is experiencing a heavy flow, she may need a full ladies’ pad with additional absorbency in the first day or two; smaller “teen” pads we will cover here are only designed for a medium flow.
• Odor and Bacteria Control; Your tween might be familiar with the negative impact of having a tampon on for long. But does she know how long a pad should last? If your tween wears her pad for too long, there’s a greater chance of bacteria multiplying inside the pad, which may result in unpleasant odors and may be a cause of skin rash and nasty infections.

Tip for buying pre-teen pads

Your tween will experience heavy and light flows. The first few periods may be light, with only a few blood spots. Most periods last from three-five days, but anywhere from two to seven days is normal.

She will probably need to use 3-6 sanitary pads for girls per day, although it might be fewer on her lighter days. In the first couple of days and at night, your tween might prefer more extended, thicker pads or pads with wings to avoid any leakages.

Even in between periods, she may have noticed a heavier-than-usual discharge. If this concerns your girl, by all means, she might like to wear a panty liner throughout her non-period days to prevent any staining and embarrassment.

Also, do not forget to ensure that your tween can access sanitary pads at home should they get there when you are not around. You can place different period pads in their room or the bathroom.

Best Types of Pads For Tweens

So now we know what our tween needs; what are the best types of pads your tween should start out with? These are the best types of pads we’ve found widely available and catering to smaller bodies.

Best Day Pads for Tweens: Always Radiant Teen Pads

Find it on Amazon

Always Radiant Teen Pads are one of the leaders in making pads specifically designed for smaller bodies. Their Size 1 pads are ideal for day use by girls who would be a lady’s Small or Extra Small in clothing.

These pads are comfortably thin for your tween and will keep them leak-free throughout an entire school day. Thanks to the broad Flexi wings, the pad stays in place and will not slide around. The leak guard core absorbs in seconds.

What’s more, the always ultra-thin is unscented with my fit strip for your tween to tailor their pad to fit their flow and panty size. If they find these are not absorbent enough, you can step up to size 2.

Runner Up Best Tween Pads: Pinkie Period Pads

Find it on Amazon

Designed specifically with tweens and teens in mind, the Pinkie Period Pads are ideal for smaller-bodies girls, with sizing down to youth underwear size 8.

Their ultra-thin pads come in mini, small, and regular, each in a drawstring baggie with a cloth-like wrapper for convenient disposal, too.

We love that there’s no fragrance, chlorine, or bleach, with an ultra-snug fit to your girl’s growing body.

Also Consider: U by Kotex Security Ultra Thin

Find it on Amazon

U by Kotex Teen is another excellent pad for your tween, as it is a hypoallergenic period pad. It is made without perfumes or lotions and is free of any pesticide or elemental chlorine. It also features a soft cotton cover making it gentle and breathable on your tween’s skin.

Most importantly, Kotex Teen products are uniquely sized for smaller bodies. Their ultrathin pads are still high absorbency using their unique Xpress-DRI Core technology, and they come with wings to hold the pad in place. 

(NB – Kotex used to stock a “tween” range too, but it looks like these have been discontinued).

Best Tween Pads For Overnight: Always Ultra Thin Pads Size 4 Overnights

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With the Always Ultra-thin overnight, your tween will soon discover that a larger, heavier flow pad is still required in the first few days while sleeping. Larger doesn’t have to mean thicker though; technology has come a long way. You can still capture leaks with an Ultrathin pad.

It is unscented and HSA/FSA eligible in the USA with Flexi wings to ensure your tween gets enough eye shut without any leaks. It’s one of the best pads for tweens to use at night.

Best variety pack of pads for tweens: Asana Girl Unscented Pads

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If the package reads girl, it is an excellent choice for your tween. The Asana Unscented pad is a combo pack that includes four heavy sanitary napkins, three mini pads for all-day protection during your tween’s lightest and heaviest days, and five regular pads.

Their sanitary napkins are made with hypoallergenic, breathable sheets that help alleviate irritation, blisters, rashes, itchiness, and chafing. This combo with wings also helps your tween balance her PH and hormone levels reducing menstrual pain and cramping naturally. It’s a great first-period sample kit.

Best Pads for Sporty Tweens: U by Kotex Fitness Ultra Thin Pads

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If you have a sporty tween girl, there are more considerations you may need to take into account when choosing the best pad to fit her needs.

We love that U by Kotex also comes in a Fitness line of ultrathin pads. They’re not as short as the “teen” range of pads we mentioned above, but they are uniquely shaped for active young ladies.

They contain the same Xpress DRI Core that absorbs quickly and wings to minimize leaks but remains discreet beneath their tight workout clothing.

My First Period Sampler Kit

Remember, just because you’re brand loyal to a particular type of pad, it won’t necessarily be the right fit for your tween. She will need to experiment for herself.

Find it on Amazon

A My First Period Sampler Kit will provide your pre-teen girl with the opportunity to test several different brands at once to see which fit she finds best.

Containing Size 1 Always Radiant pads and liners, U by Kotex Teen pads, along with some disposal bags and wipes, this will certainly put your girl on the right footing until she decides which is the right one for her.

Don’t forget a carry pouch!

Unfortunately, periods can start anywhere, at any time. Your tween will undoubtedly find she needs to deal with her periods while out of the house. A cute and discreet napkin purse is a must for her sanitary items.

She may need two, one that she keeps in her bag with a few extra supplies like deodorant wipes, and a very small kit she can keep in her pocket. Here are a few ideas to try:

Find it on Amazon

Find it on Amazon

Find it on Amazon

Find it on Amazon

Alternatives to Pads for Tween Periods

Although pads are the easiest solution for newly menstruating girls, they’re not the only solution.

Some girls may prefer the convenience of period pants. These didn’t really exist when we were girls, so it’s a new avenue you could perhaps both explore in finding the most comfortable solution.

• We look at the best types of period pants for tweens over here.

Another alternative is using tampons. These are not recommended at the very start but learning to use a tampon is a skill your pre-teen may want to learn, especially if they have swimming lessons and pool parties to consider.

• We have a detailed guide here on teaching your tween girl how to use a tampon.

As an alternative, if tampons still feel daunting, you could introduce your girl to the concept of period swimwear. Designed for light to medium flow days, the right set of swimwear could see your girl confidentially continuing to swim through her period or at the very least, feel confident and protected while sitting poolside this summer.

• We compare leading brands of period swimsuits suitable for tweens in this guide.

Summing it up – Pads for Tweens

Organizing your tween with her first period kit might feel like the easy part, but getting to a brand and fit that’s perfect for her is entirely another challenge.

We hope this tween pad guide has helped you find the perfect fit for your girl or at least prepare her for the decision she will need to make when this important moment in her life arrives.

Let us know in the comments below if you’ve found the perfect fit for your pre-teen!

You May Like to Read Next

Helping you through the challenges that can arise in the tween parenting years, you may want to read next:

• Helping Your Daughter Choose Her First Bra
• How to Deal With Tween Girl Hair Removal
• Discussing The Important of Good Skin Hygiene With Your Tween
• Explaining Periods To Tween Boys
• The Best Health Websites Aimed at Tweens

The post Best Pads For Tween Girls Just Starting Their Period appeared first on Tween Parent | Family Lifestyle Blog.

We often forget that being a tween can be hard. Tweens are at the in-between age where they are still maturing. Their body is changing. Their emotions are all over the place and they may not know exactly how to handle those emotions and changes.  That’s where positive quotes for tweens can come in handy.

Inspirational Quotes for Tweens

“The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.” – Matty Mullins

 “Don’t be afraid of failure. This is the way to succeed.” – LeBron James

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” – Unknown

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember…the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”

Henry Ford

“If you are always trying to be normal, you’ll never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou

“It isn’t where you came from. It’s where you’re going that counts.” – Ella Fitzgerald

“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.” – Reba McEntire

“Make it happen. Shock everyone.”

Unknown

“No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.” – P.T. Barnum

“Believe in yourself and you can do unbelievable things.” – Unknown

“Stop doubting yourself! You are so strong, show the world what you got!” – Unknown

“Be brave, fight for what you believe in and make your dreams your reality.”

Unknown

“Be brave, fight for what you believe in and make your dreams your reality.” – Unknown

“If you don’t believe in yourself, why is anyone else going to believe in you.” – Tom Brady

“The strongest people aren’t always the people who win, but the people who don’t give up when they lose.” – Unknown

Encouraging Quotes for Tweens

“No matter what you’re going through, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” – Demi Lovato

“When people try to tell you who you are, don’t believe them.” – Maria Popova

“The people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs

“Be the reason someone feels welcome, seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported.”

Unknown

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out!” – Dr. Seuss

“Everyone you admire was once a beginner.” – Jack Butcher

“No matter what you look like or think you look like, you’re special, loved, and perfect just the way you are.” – Ariel Winter

“Don’t change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.”

Unknown

“Beautiful people are not always good, but good people are always beautiful.” – Imam Ali

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E.E. Cummings

“When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.” – Carol Burnett

“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” – Robert H. Schuller

“Count your rainbows, not your thunderstorms.” – Janice Thompson

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”

Bernard M. Baruch

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of someone else.” – Judy Garland

Positive Quotes for Tweens

“Stay kind. It makes you beautiful.” – Unknown

“Don’t you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are.” – Lady Gaga

“Follow your heart, listen to your inner voice, stop caring about what others think.” – Roy T. Bennett

“You have to be authentic; you have to be true, and you have to believe in your heart.”

Howard Schultz

“When you replace ‘why is this happening to me’ with ‘what is this trying to teach me?’ Everything shifts.” – Unknown

“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” – Robin Williams 

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

Oscar Wilde

“The most beautiful things in life are not things. They’re people and places and memories and pictures. They’re feelings and moments and smiles and laughter.”- Unknown

“You will always pass failure on your way to success.”– Mickey Rooney

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

“The sky is full of stars and there’s room for them all to shine.”

Unknown

“You’re never going to be happy being anyone other than yourself.” – Thibaut

“People are not as beautiful as they look and talk. They are only as beautiful as they love, as they care, as they share.” – Ritu Ghatourey

“We should all celebrate our individuality and not be embarrassed or ashamed of it.” – Johnny Depp

“Train your mind and heart to see the good in everything. There is always something to be thankful for.”

Unknown

“Just be yourself, there is no one better.” – Taylor Swift

“You were born to stand out, stop trying to fit in.” – Roy T. Bennett

“Life is like photography. You need the negatives to develop.” – Ziad K. Abdelnour

Motivational Quotes for Tweens

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

“If you’re making mistakes, it means you’re out there doing something.” – Neil Gaiman

“It is the ability to resist failure or use failure that often leads to greater success.” – J. K. Rowling

“Teamwork can build friendships that last a lifetime.”

Natalya Neidhart

“Resilience means you experience, you feel, you fail, you hurt. You fall. But you keep going.” – Yasmin Mogahed

“Nothing is particularly hard if you break it down into small jobs.” – Henry Ford 

“Take care not to listen to anyone who tells you what you can and can’t be in life.” – Meg Medina

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison

“You cannot change what you are, only what you do.” – Philip Pullman

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” – Colin Powell

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”

Michael Jordan

“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” – Stephen Hawking

These encouraging, positive, motivational, and inspirational quotes for tweens will help them with a variety of different things they have to encounter at this age. They can encourage and motivate them to overcome those challenges – you may also want to see more of our quotes about tweens, from the parent’s perspective!

So tell me more about Tween Parent

In our little corner here of the internet, tweenparent.com hopes to arm parents with the confidence they need to get them through the tween years. From helpful resources to gift shopping guides, a little spot on the internet dedicated to the pre-teen years and preparing you for the teen years ahead.

Pleased to have you on board!

If you’d like to see our latest tween parent guides as they’re published just pop your email at the bottom of this page.

The post Inspirational Quotes For Tweens appeared first on Tween Parent | Family Lifestyle Blog.

It can be a challenging and confusing time for any child. So where do you find the best sources of information to direct your tween to (other than some pretty far out there and erroneous info they pick up on TikTok?)

Best Tween Health Websites

Whilst nothing can replace on-to-one honest conversation with your tween, we know there are plenty of topics that tweens might find difficult to approach.

Here are some safe and kid-friendly websites that may help them with some independent answers:

Health for Kids and Health for Tweens

www.healthforkids.co.uk and healthforteens.co.uk

Both run by the NHS in the UK, these are excellent and reliable sources of health information for your tweens, set out in plain language with accurate and reliable information.

The major focus on both sites at present is naturally Coronavirus, dealing with germs- in a fun and cute way on the kids’ site and in more of a news site manner for the teens. The teens’ site also quite prominently tackles the subjects of anxiety, puberty, alcohol, tobacco, and sexual health in a matter-of-fact way.

Kids can also find fun games on the Health for Kids site, even exercise videos.

Kids Health

www.kidshealth.org/en/kids and www.kidshealth.org/en/teens

Run by the non-profit Nemours Foundation, it’s certainly packed full of useful information thought the design is somewhat uninspiring and unlikely to engage tweens for long, it does have a load of useful information.

One function we love about this site is that it has a Spanish translate button and a listen-to function so those less confident in reading English can listen in.

Young Men’s Health

www.youngmenshealthsite.org

Ideal for your older male tweens, this highly targeted website is run by the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. It goes deep on male teen issues covering general health, sexual health, diet and nutrition, and emotional well-being.

There’s a great back catalog of articles covering any male health issue and concerns you can think of, plus an opportunity for boys to ask questions anonymously – use the search function as there’s a lot in there; your tween’s question has no doubt been asked before!

There is a specific parents section to help you as parents, too, with some super detailed guides for tackling difficult topics with your tween and teen boys.

Centre for Young Women’s Health

www.youngwomenshealth.org

The sister site to Young Men’s Health is an excellent and reliable resource for your tween and teen girls. Covering general health, sexual health, gynecology, nutrition, and emotional health, it’s a treasure trove of information for your older tween girls hitting puberty in English and Spanish.

There’s also a chat function where you can ask all those embarrassing questions. A more grown-up site but easy to navigate and sure to help your tween through those difficult questions in a no-nonsense manner.

Parents will find a great range of health guides here, too, to help their tween and teen girls navigate the journey into womanhood.

The Trevor Project

www.thetrevorproject.org

Tweens with curiosity and concerns about sexuality may feel comfortable exploring The Trevor Project in their own time. Although it may seem quite a grown-up concept for your tweens, the site is designed to help LGBTQ+ youth and their families with sexual identity acknowledgement and sexual health questions.

The site touches on sensitive topics with practical information and the ability to connect with counsellors via phone chat or text.

Final thoughts on tween health websites

The important part of letting your tween research their own health concerns and questions online is there as part of the process. Don’t simply accept that they’ll learn everything they need online and be done with it.

Direct them to these websites as part of building their own understanding of themselves and the world around them, but be part of the process. Gentle probing on what they have learned, the opportunity to ask any follow-up questions for topics they didn’t quite understand – it’s not a term test paper, just being there as a sounding board.

We hope you’ve found this tween resource useful. Let us know in the comments if you’ve found any other handy resources.

The post Best Tween Websites For Health Information appeared first on Tween Parent | Family Lifestyle Blog.

How old should girls be to use tampons?

We’ve been doing some deeper digging into the topic to see how much truth lies behind this statement. Before giving newly menstruating girls tampons, what risks and concerns do you need to consider? And what type of tampon is right for a pre-teen girl?

The slightly terrifying truth – for us and our girls – is that girls are getting their periods much younger. The average age range is now thought to be between 9 to 12 years old – spot on over the tween age group – not teenagers, as you may be lead to believe.

Our tweens still seem so young for this conversation but remember, “the talk” will likely need to occur earlier than when you were a child. From around the first signs of puberty – such as growing buds or the first pubic hairs – would be an appropriate point to start chatting to your tween girl about periods and reproduction.

You will no doubt cover with them the basics of sanitary napkins or pads, period pants, and hygiene during their period; however, it would be remiss to completely skip over the topic of tweens and tampons during the initial discussions on managing their monthly periods.

Is There a “Right Age” Tweens Should Start Using Tampons?

Despite it seemingly being a common conversation thread that tampons are not appropriate for tweens, after some deeper digging, we have found this is certainly not the case, from a medical standpoint, at least.

Let’s talk about how they work and why a tween might want to proceed with caution.

NB, the information in this post does not constitute medical advice. You should always speak to your medical practitioner about your child’s particular needs if in doubt.

How Do Tampons Work?

Tampons are oblong or cylindrical shaped and made of soft, compacted cotton-like material. They are inserted inside the v, and the v wall holds the tampon in place. A string is attached to the bottom of the tampon, so it is easy to gently tug and remove when used.

Whilst inside the v, the tampon absorbs the flow. When filled, a string hangs from beneath that should be tugged, and the tampon will slide out for disposal.

What Sort of Sanitary Items Should I Get My Daughter For Her First Period?

Most parents worry a lot about finding the best pad that will work for their tweens. And yes, your tween daughter will need you to educate her on pads and tampons before the time arrives to adjust comfortably to the changes of puberty.

Whilst the majority of tweens are likely to be happy starting with sanitary pads or period pants, there may be occasions they’ll feel more comfortable if they use a tampon. Swimming is the primary reason most tween girls are likely to want to explore this option, but it can simply be personal preference, too, especially if they know their mom or other ladies in their family use tampons.

It’s important when you first start discussing sanitary products to speak about each in a positive light. They will have pros and cons in everyone’s individual situation; she will need to decide which suits her best.

Types of Tampons for Tweens

So if you’ve decided tampons are something your tween would like to try, getting them the right size to fit their growing bodies and flow needs is important.

Some come with an applicator which is a little more “hands off” but might require a little more time to get used to how it works and find the right position. Other brands are manually inserted with a finger to find the right spot. Regardless of what method, discuss with her the importance of hand washing and hygiene when using tampons.

Having the right tampon for a younger girl will also help. A super overnight maxi flow tampon is no way to introduce your poor little girl to the years that lie ahead!

We strongly suggest you buy more than one brand of everything at the start – be it sanitary pads, periods pants, or tampons – she will need to experiment to find the one that’s right for her. It may well be a combination of brands and hygiene methods that works best.

How Do I talk My Tween Through Inserting Her First Tampon?

The first time using a tampon can be an awkward moment for a pre-teen or teenage girl to deal with (and mom!). She needs to be comfortable with the method of insertion and removal.

It might feel simple once you’ve done it hundreds of times, but can you actually remember back to that very first moment? Here we’re going to talk you through step by step with handy tips for a pre-teen:

Top Tips for Trying Tween Tampons

• You should talk through the angle of her body together before she heads into the bathroom. The packaging will have diagrams, too, to assist this discussion.

• Get several types of tampons. With or without an applicator, try several different brands. It’s only through trial and error she will discover what works best.

• Applicator tampons may work better for a beginner trying to find the right position; plastic applicators may feel more comfortable starting than cardboard applicators.

• Experiment with positions. She can try one leg on the toilet or bathtub, crouching or even lying down while she finds her way to a comfy spot.

• A small mirror may assist her actually seeing what she’s doing down there, though it’s best she practices by feel.

• Reminder her that if it’s not comfortable, it’s probably not in right. You’d rather she goes through more than necessary at the start to get the position right.

• It is best to test tampons when she’s actually on her period. Testing without, she may find her v is too dry. One way to combat this is to try a few drops of lube or Vaseline; it may make sliding things in easier (if you look around, there are a few non-sexual brands out there!)

• Even if she has a heavier flow, start with a “lite” or “light” tampon until she’s worked out her technique; they are slimmer and less intimidating for a beginner. Once she has the basics down, you can move to the right flow level.

• She should only use the level of absorbency required for the flow, not stronger “just in case.”

• Even using a tampon, your girl may fill more confident if she also wears a panty liner. Panty liners are much smaller and more discreet than a period pad, so they should be an almost unnoticeable extra layer of protection for your girl.

• If the panty liner is filling with more than spotting, she may need a stronger absorbency tampon.

• It’s best not to start testing out a tampon immediately before a big event where your daughter might feel under huge pressure to “get it right.” It’s not something anyone really wants mom hanging there for a live demo, but it will help her if you’re outside the door for some moral reassurance.

• When introducing your tween to tampons, you must discuss the importance of hygiene. This includes not just hand washing before and after but when to replace your tampon. The FDA recommends changing your tampon every four to eight hours.

• You should make sure she is aware of what toxic shock syndrome is, but assure them that with correct tampon use, it can be avoided. Commonly associated with prolonged ultra-absorbent tampon use during menstruation, it is caused by the release of toxins and an overgrowth of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus – staph for short. TSS can be fatal if symptoms go unchecked.

• Avoid products that are heavily scented. As much as it’s tempting to think they’ll “mask” smells, they can cause irritation and upset the pH balance of the v.

• Don’t forget as well as insertion; there’s removal to deal with! You may need to clock-watch and remind a little at the start.

• Removal is an easy tug on the string, but she understandably may get distressed if it hiding or a little bit stuck “up there” – it happens. And yup, you wouldn’t be the first mom to have to go on a rescue mission. Stay calm!

• Ask her to look at the used tampon on the way out, even if she finds it grouse. If it’s still quite white after 4 to 8 hours of wearing, she may be ready to step down to a lighter flow tampon.

• It’s important to reiterate to your tween that it’s not appropriate to flush any type of sanitary products down the toilet. While pads are exceptionally troublesome, it’s not appropriate to flush tampons equally. If they don’t have a sanitary bin or trash can close to hand, ensure they have some disposable baggies.

• Tampons should only ever be used once. The FDA does not have any approved reusable tampons.

• If it doesn’t work out the first time, try again in a few months – or a year. As your girl grows in maturity and familiarity with her body, she may feel more confident to give it a go.

Reasons For Tweens to Avoid Tampons

So what are all these arguments against tampons?

At the very start, your tween’s periods are likely to be irregular. As much as they may find it unpleasant to start with, they will want to be able to check on their flow and understand how much they are bleeding, which is easier to gauge with a sanitary pad.

Tweens are also at an age where they are still prone to forget things; it’s essential for hygiene and safety they do not wear a tampon for too long.

Overall, let your girl guide the discussion. At the start of her flow and dealing with changing pads, the sight, the smell of the blood can already be overbearing for young girls. It may take time for them to gain confidence in touching themselves “down there.” Tampons do require more manual touching than other sanitary methods.

Talk to your doctor if you or your tween girl are still nervous. Perhaps with their reassurance and talking through the pros and cons, you can get more comfortable with this step. If not, there’s no problem with continuing with a sanitary method that does suit.

Features of Tween Tampons

• Tween and teen tampons are similar in design and function to regular tampons, but they are designed to fit smaller bodies.

• Remember, “slim” and “light” aren’t always the same thing. It depends on the material they’re made from. A light flow tampon is less absorbent, but “slim tampons” can still have high absorbency.

• Preteens may also be interested in trying “sports” marketed tampons, particularly if they’re active sporty girls. The big selling point of these tampons is “leak protection”, they are designed to leak less – though generally, many beginners report them feeling more comfortable.

• Applicator tampons may be easier for a beginner to use, but as there are more materials, in the long run, they cost more and are not as good for the environment. Discuss the pros and cons with your tween.

• Some tampons come with cardboard applicators which are more environmentally friendly, though they may feel a little more uncomfortable for a beginner to use as they’re more rigid.

7 Best Easy-to-Use Tampons for Tweens

So now we know what our tween needs; what are the leading brands of “teen tampons” ideal for beginners to wear?

We’ve included here some leading brands of tampons for beginners. All are smaller in size and made for lighter flows. As we mentioned above, once her technique improves and she’s comfortable with how they feel inserted, she can move on to a heavier flow or “Super” tampon.

1. Tampax Pearl – Light

Find it on Amazon

Find it on Amazon

Tampax Pearl tampons are great for tweens just starting out. Their simple design makes them comfortable to insert. Once she has the hang of things, you can increase the size to suit her flow. We Love that they come in multipacks, ideal for your changing flow throughout a period. They’re one of the only brands we can find that sell Light tampons in big boxes!

2. U by Kotex Fitness Tampon – Regular

A popular choice for active girls, U by Kotex Fitness tampon should give them more reassurance against leaks. The regular size is not too intimidating for a beginner as it comes in a compact applicator fit. You’ll also get a small compact carry case.

Find it on Amazon

3. Playtex Sport Regular

Similarly, Playtex Sport is another popular tween and teen tampon option. The “360 protection” means the tampon goes in small but expands in all directions when absorbing. The contoured tips make it easier to insert.

Find it on Amazon

4. Seventh Generation Free Clear Lite Tampons

Got a girl with a planet-first approach? Good on you! We love that these regular flow tampons contain no nasties, no perfumes, dyes, and chlorine bleaching, responsibly sourced cotton, and a plant-based applicator. Definitely include these when you are seeking the perfect tampon brand for your tween.

Find it on Amazon

5. U by Kotex Click – Regular

U by Kotex Click Compact tampons are a good starting point for any tween or teen. These applicator tampons will ease their journey into womanhood with their easy applicator system. Simply pull the lower end once comfortably in place, they’ll expand to a regular-sized tampon.

Find it on Amazon

6. OB Organic Regular

OB Organic can be a popular choice for beginners as they tend to be a little smaller than other brands, though the lightest flow their organics range covers are regular. Free from perfumes and dyes and complete with applicators from renewable resources, we’d certainly strongly consider this in your tween’s tampon repertoire.

If you’re seeking something even smaller to start, try OB Pro Comfort Minis (no applicator).

Find it on Amazon

7. Cora Organic Applicator Tampons

The band name may not be as well known, but if it’s a variety you’re after to test out her flow size and get her used to the tampon insertion process, Cora is a great starting point for a tween.

These organic tampons come with an applicator and three different sizes for throughout her period, but definitely start with the lite; the supers can be intimidating.

Find it on Amazon

Don’t Forget a Tampon Carry Pouch!

Unfortunately, periods can start anywhere, any time (even if you use a period app). Your tween will undoubtedly find she needs to deal with her periods while out of the house. A cute and discreet tampon purse is a must for her sanitary items. Here are a few ideas to try:

Find it on Amazon

Find it on Amazon

Find it on Amazon

Find it on Amazon

More Frequently Asked Questions About Tweens and Tampons

Organizing your tween with her first period kit might feel like the easy part, but getting to a brand and fit of tampon that’s perfect for her is entirely another challenge.

We hope this tween tampon guide has helped you find the perfect fit for your girl or at least prepared you and her with the facts you need for this important moment in her life.

Let us know in the comments below if you’ve found the perfect fit for your pre-teen!

You May Like to Read Next

Helping you through the challenges that can arise in the tween parenting years, you may want to read next:

Helping Your Daughter Choose Her First Bra
How to Deal With Tween Girl Hair Removal
Discussing Skin Care With Tweens And The Best Cleanser Products
Explaining Periods To Tween Boys
The Best Health Websites Aimed at Tweens

The post Should Tween Girls Use Tampons? Sanitary Options for Pre-Teens appeared first on Tween Parent | Family Lifestyle Blog.

As tweens enter puberty, they will have many questions about their bodies, and you will notice many physical and emotional changes. Hormones will cause further growth in your tween and cause havoc with your tween’s emotions, body, and skin.

Physical signs that your tween girl is entering puberty include:

• Underarm and pubic hair growth
• Growth spurts
• Facial acne
• Menstruation
• Breast development
• Cramps
• Body odor

Physical signs that your tween boy is entering puberty include:

• Muscle growth
• Deepening of the voice
• Acne
• Body odor
• The development of the testicles and penis

Acne, which is common in preteen girls and boys, will generally look like small bumps on the skin and will appear on the t-zone area – the forehead, nose, and chin area because this is where the oil glands are concentrated.

This brings us to our discussion of a good skincare routine for tweens. Remember that your tween’s skin is still sensitive, infant skin, so you need a gentle tween skincare product.

Boys and Girls Changing Needs

Puberty can be a challenging and confusing time for your tween/preteen. But letting your tween know what to expect and why these changes happen can help them feel more in control as they go through it.

At this stage, your tween will experience many physical and psychological changes, which result from shifts in hormones.

Physical and psychological changes happen slowly over time. They typically begin from 8-13 in girls and 9-14 in boys.

Your tween’s skin becomes oily, and their body produces more sweat. At this time, testosterone, a primary sex hormone in boys, gives rise to male traits while estrogen, a primary sex hormone in girls, increases.

Basics Of Tween Skin Care

If the skin changes in your preteen are becoming hard to tackle, do not fret. Remember that most tweens can manage these changes with appropriate hygiene and skincare.

When is the perfect time to start a skincare routine? Most experts recommend creating a very basic tween skincare routine during the preteen years, between the ages of 8 to 12 years old.

This builds a good skincare habit and ensures by the time significant issues come along, there is an excellent healthy base to work from.

The key to getting a skincare routine going with your tween is to make it super easy. You do not want to make it complicated, but you also want to make it fun so that they will do it regularly.

The first rule is that you need to keep it basic.

Remember your tween is just starting; you do not want to overwhelm them with your fav Korean 10-step routine. Instead, keep it gentle and bare-bones, as there is always room for them to add more products as they become more comfortable.

This slow and steady approach will make it easier to determine what ingredients and formulas work best for your tween’s skin. And what has the potential to irritate it.

With the basic skincare routine, your tween has to follow two simple steps:

• Cleanse 
• Moisturise

Your tween needs to do these two steps ideally in the morning and at night, but it will also depend on how sweaty your tween is during the night. You can make the routine part of the hygiene process. For example, they can do it while in the shower, wash their face in the sink, or even brush their teeth.

Making skincare a quick and easy addition to a morning and night routine makes it more likely that your tween will follow through.

Cleanse

When choosing a cleanser, stick to a gentle formula to clear impurities and keep the skin hydrated. Do not scrub harshly but instead use gentle, circular motions making sure to reach every inch of your face.

Your tween should avoid using soap on their face as it can irritate the pores on their face and trigger acne and pimples.

If your tween has oily or normal /combination skin, you should get them a cleanser containing salicylic acid to control excessive oil production and increase hydration.

This cleanser also helps dissolve dirt and oil, thus unclogging your tween’s pores.

Moisturise

Your tween will need to apply her moisturizer twice daily to help keep the skin supple and hydrated and prevent premature fine lines.

It should be a lightweight,oil-free moisturizer to prevent your tween’s skin from clogging.

A gel-based moisturizer will also do for your acne-prone tween. Choosing a moisturizer that includes a broad-spectrum sunscreen is wise to help protect your preteen’s skin from the sun rays.

Exfoliate

To avoid clogged pores resulting from hormonal surges, your tween should keep their skin exfoliated once a week or every two weeks, depending on how sensitive the skin is. 

Look for exfoliating products that contain clay. Clay has natural antiseptic and astringent properties.

Makeup and Tween Skincare  

Many young girls love to experiment with make-up in their tweens. It can be fun to discover their own personal style, but it’s essential when allowing your girls to learn, you teach them the importance of also washing their makeup off correctly.

Leaving makeup on their skin for too long can lead to blocked pores, worsen acne and damage their skin, especially if left on overnight when the skin should be renewing itself. Always insist makeup is removed before bedtime.

Make sure when starting their journey with makeup you also equip them with the right makeup-removing tools, followed by their usual skin care routine.

Best Skin Care Brands For Tweens

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These gentle skincare products for preteens will help keep breakouts at bay, leaving your tween feeling happy and confident.

Aveeno Kids Sunscreen

If it reads kids, you know it will be safe for your tween. The Aveeno kids is an excellent product for your tween’s sensitive skin.

It has an SPF 50 for superior broad-spectrum protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

It’s an effective mineral sunscreen lotion as mild as water and applies to your preteen skin, quickly locking in moisture without stinging or irritation.

It contains naturally-sourced 100% zinc oxide active and skin-soothing oat and is both sweat-resistant and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

It also features a tear-free formula that is non-greasy, hypoallergenic and paraben-free,phthalate-free, and fragrance-free, making it ideal for your tween’s skin.

Just like makeup, sunscreen is great while it’s doing its job outdoors, but always take care to wash sunscreen off before bedtime. Sunscreen left overnight can dry out the skin and clog pores.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

The Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a great tween face wash. It contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerine. They help hydrate your tween’s skin without stripping off moisture.

It removes dirt, face makeup, and excess oils, providing 24-hour hydration leaving your preteen with a non-greasy feeling and moisturized.

It is free of paraben, soap, fragrance, non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and non-drying. It is an excellent moisturizer as it helps restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier. 

It is suitable for daily cleansing and can double up as a handwash for your tween’s delicate hands.

Clean & Clear 2-Pack Day and Night Face Cleanser

The clean and clear day and night cleanser is a great tween face wash pack. It gently cleanses your tween’s skin without overdrying it in the morning and night.

Its clean and clear morning burst facial cleanser removes skin impurities that build up overnight and features a refreshing citrus fragrance with ginger extract to help wake your tween up in a fantastic mood.

The clean and clear night relaxing deep cleansing face wash washes away dirt, impurities, and oil that builds up during the day. The clean and clear face cleanser contains deep sea minerals and sea kelp extracts that deeply cleanse pores with a calming aroma.

Catephil Exfoliating Face Wash

Cetaphil exfoliating face wash is extra gentle, making it a great facial product for tweens. Its micro-fine granules gently buff away dry, dull skin-supporting a natural surface cell turnover without irritation.

It’s infused with a vitamin complex and skin conditioners that help keep your tween’s skin comfortably hydrated. It is an effective yet non-irritating daily scrub ideal for your tween’s sensitive skin.

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Sugar Facial Scrub Exfoliator

The Palmers Coconut Facial Scrub is a great product to be incorporated into your tween’s skincare routine. It gently buffs and polishes away dirt and dead skin cells, leaving your tween with a brighter, fresher, and purified complexion.

It has the finest natural, raw ingredients making it great natural skincare that your tween will love.

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

An excellent daily moisturizer perfect to apply after cleansing, CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Loton contains SPF30 for all-day facial protection again UVA and UVB rays.

It contains hyaluronic acid to retain the skin’s moisture and niacinamide to calm the skin and keep hydrated all day.

Gentle on the skin, this fragrance-free and oil-free moisturizer is suitable for all the family to use.

We hope this guide will help you formulate a skincare routine that will work for your growing tween.

Puberty will strike at different moments and every tween’s skin will react differently to their changing hormones. The best you can do to prepare them for these changes is to instill healthy habits and model good behavior when it comes to skincare.

The post Essential Tween Skin Care Habits to Instill on Your Pre-Teens appeared first on Tween Parent | Family Lifestyle Blog.

Adolescence comes with many new changes for your female child – hair growth, development of breast buds, and body odor. It is common for some tweens to feel the need to shave their legs, while others prefer not to, or show no interest until their teens.

Either way, you should support your baby girl. You need to sit down with her and get to the root of what’s causing them to get the urge of shaving.

Sometimes the need to shave stems from peer pressure or what they watch on social media. You can talk with your tween and ensure they get the real picture of what will happen once they start shaving.

For example, hair that grows next becomes darker and rougher after shaving. So, if they’re ready for these changes, you should help them learn the best hair removal products for tweens.

You’ll often find that tween girls want to shave their legs and maybe armpits, while tween boys prefer shaving their facial hair. Facial hair removal for tweens is common, especially facial hair removal for girls. Girls prefer getting permanent methods to remove any facial hairs.

Why Girls Might Want To Remove Body Hair

First off, if your tween girl came to you asking for permission to shave, you should be glad that they did so instead of going off the limb and looking for shaving tips from their peers who have no clue what they are doing.

Society today is in a good place, allowing women to have body hair without shame, so if your tween girl doesn’t care about hair growth, let her be, and don’t push these techniques until she’s ready for them.

Your tween may want to shave because they’ve seen their peers shave and feel the societal pressure to fit in. If that’s the case, you’ll need to sit your tween down and explain to her how not to succumb to peer pressure. Let her think about it, and if she still wants to shave. You can guide her on the best ways for hair removal for tweens.

Sometimes tweens also feel the need to shave because they’ve grown faster than their peers, making them feel out of place. All tweens grow at different rates, and some may have body hair come in in their teenage years rather than their tween years. So, you’ll need to explain this concept to your tween, so she understands what’s going on and stop being self-conscious.

Tweens can also get the idea of having perfect brows and shaved legs from their influencers or even celebrities. You’ll need to explain to your tween that what they see isn’t always what the reality of things is. But if they want to shave simply because they prefer no hair on their bodies, then it’s your time to step into your mommy power and guide your tween.

Hirsutism

In rare cases, tween girls may develop hirsutism, excessive hair growth connected with hormonal issues. If you notice your tween girls hair growing in places it normally wouldn’t, primarily on their face, back or shoulders its time to see a doctor. It can be a sign in many girls of PCOS – Polycystic ovary syndrome.

Different Methods of Hair Removal

There are many different ways to go about kids’ hair removal. These include:

Shaving

Shaving for tweens is a common hair removal method. Shaving is a hair removal method where one removes the tip of the hair shaft that has grown through the skin using a razor.

Shaving is the most common hair removal method. Most tweens start by shaving, then, later on, explore other hair removal methods.

Some razors are disposable, others have disposable blades, while others are electric. An electric razor is the easiest method for shaving because it’s easy, takes less time, and is less intimidating for your tween girl.

The best razor for tweens is this Intuition Schick Island Women’s Razor Blade when looking for razors. It has soap built right in; hence you won’t need to lather your body, saving you the time to apply the cream.

If you’re more into the electric razor, you can get this Women’s Electric Razor Shaver Trimmer that is easy to use and has a feminine touch.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Easy
• Better, for coarse hair

Cons

• Bumps
• Razor burn
• Nicks and cuts
• Ingrown hairs
• Upkeep is more regular
• Needs shaving gel

Epilating or Plucking

An epilator is an electric device that looks like an electric shaver but works like tweezers. It works by pulling your hair from its roots. Of course, this sounds very stressful, but it gets better once you get used to it.

It is a painful hair removal method, but it keeps hair growth away longer than shaving does. Shaving requires your preteen to do it most days of the week, while epilating gives you a bit of time before you need to rid hair.

Alternatively, one can pluck hair from the skin using tweezers. This method can also be painful, like epilating, and takes a lot of time, so you can only do this to the brows where you only need to remove a few hairs.

An epilator is easy to use. The best epilator for girls is this Braun Epilator Silk-Epil. Not only is it cute, but it also gets the work done seamlessly and is a safe hair removal method for tweens.

Pros

• Long-lasting results
• It needs replacement after a few years
• No sticky mess, cuts, or nicks
• You can epilate anywhere
• Hair grows back thinner and softer

Cons

• It can be pricey at first
• It takes longer than shaving
• It’s painful the first few times
• Can cause ingrown hair

Depilatories

A depilatory cream removes hair from the skin. When applied to the skin, these creams react by fighting with the protein in hair, making it so weak that you can easily wipe it away or even wash it off.

After using a depilatory cream, your tween girl won’t need to remove body hair for up to two weeks.

Before using any depilatories, it is best to test it on a patch of your tween’s skin to see if she reacts to it. Some girls tend to have specific reactions to particular creams. Since your tween’s skin may be sensitive, the best hair removal cream for tweens is this Veet Hair Removal Cream Sensitive Skin with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Painless
• Inexpensive

Cons

• It can be messy when applying
• The odor can be unpleasant
• Some people get allergic reactions to the creams
• They may not be effective on people with coarse hair

Waxing or Sugaring

Waxing involves spreading a sticky solution on a patch of skin where you want to remove hair. After applying wax, a strip of cloth is put on the wax and then quickly pulled off, removing the hair root and dead skin cells.

Waxing can be done at home or at the salon. On the other hand, Sugaring is similar to waxing, but you won’t need waxing strips or wax. Sugaring combines heated sugar, lemon juice, and water. You can apply this on a patch where you want to remove hair, then pull it off, repeating until the mixture can no longer come off with hair.

When using Sugaring, ensure the mix isn’t too hot as it may burn the skin. If you’d like to experiment with at-home wax, you can try something like the Nair Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit.

Pros

• Leaves behind smooth skin
• Cost-effective
• Results last longer
• Readily available at home and in grocery stores
• Hair grows back lighter and softer
• Less noticeable compared to shaving

Cons

• Painful
• Temporary redness, inflammation, and bumps after waxing
• Risks of burns when not done correctly

The following methods are not normally recommended for young girls but to put all the options out there a worth talking through with your daughter to fully understand all the pros and cons as they get older:

Electrolysis

Sometimes your tween may want a more permanent hair removal method, especially if they have hair growth on their faces. Electrolysis treatment is the solution in such a situation.

It involves working with a professional over a series of appointments where a probe is inserted into the hair root killing it. Electrolysis ensures that the hair removal is permanent.

Pros

• Some people get permanent hair removal.

Cons

• Expensive
• Can be painful
• Causes dry skin, scarring, scabs, and inflammation
• It can be risky if the instruments aren’t sterilized well

Laser Hair Removal

Compared to electrolysis, laser hair removal isn’t permanent. The laser is directed through the skin to the hair follicle, stopping the hair from growing. Your tween has to return in six months to a year for maintenance as it isn’t permanent.

It can be a little concerning for your tween due to the use of radiation., but it helps take care of large areas of the body that need hair removal.

Pros

• It’s long-lasting
• You can treat large areas of the skin at the same time.

Cons

• Expensive
• Treatment can lead to inflammation after treatment.

We hope this will help guide you through one of those challenging puberty conversations you’ll no doubt need to be ready for with your tweens. Unlike helping your daughter select her first bra, or being ready for when her first period starts, there’s no urgent health reason to deal with tween body hair.

Social norms and peer pressure may dictate otherwise, but with all things tween, keeping a good channel of open communication on the changes they are starting to go through will be essential.

When she’s ready, discuss the pros and cons of each method here and guide her in the techniques she’ll need to master until she’s confident to try them on her own.

You can find more articles and advice helping you navigate tween health, hygiene and puberty issues over here.

The post Best Hair Removal Products For Tweens appeared first on Tween Parent | Family Lifestyle Blog.

You might be wondering what to tell your tween boy about girls and their puberty changes, right?

Your tween boy will always have females in their lives (starting from their mmm, friends, intimate partners, colleagues, and maybe even their own daughter), making it very important to raise empathetic and kind tween boys that respect women.

And while you might be unsure how to start explaining periods to boys, what to tell them and how much they need to know, the earlier you talk about puberty, the easier it will be. Teachable moments on how to explain a period to a boy are everywhere when you are ready to find them!

Tween boys want to know more about periods. As a parent, this is your opportunity to start sharing positive messages about periods with your tween boy, counteracting the negative messages they may already be receiving from the media, friends, and society.

Talking to boys about periods will also ensure that they grow up without adding to the shame often associated with periods.

When Do Boys Need To Learn About Periods?

Is there a “right” time to start explaining puberty to your son? NO. The moment your tween son hits the pre-teen, you need to have “this talk.”

Starting when your tween boy is younger helps you to gently introduce the concept to them that one day their bodies will start to change from being a child’s body to an adult’s body.

While they might not fully understand the “why,” “how,” and “when”, they will accept it as just another thing that will happen to them—making them see periods and puberty as normal.

And as earlier stated, there are many possibilities of opportunities for talking to your tween boy about periods. To mention but a few:

• They might find period supplies in the bathroom drawer and ask what they are meant for.
• Your boy might walk into the bathroom while you are changing your tampon or pad. Prompting them to ask queries about why there is blood from down there.
• Your tween boy might be upset the sister is always locking themselves for long in the toilet and unwrapping papers (pads wrappers aren’t the quietest).
• Your tween boy might see a period leak through a girl’s clothes.

What Do Tween Boys Need To Know About Periods

Before discussing with your tween boy about periods, review information about menstrual cycles. Incline to reading materials specifically written for children while reviewing diagrams of women’s reproductive health.

This will ensure you are at your tween’s level of understanding, making it very comfortable for you to explain everything better.

Starting to explain puberty to your son and the changes both boys and girls go through early on is always a great way to introduce the concept of periods.

Let your tween so fully understand that they both(boys and girls) experience many similar growth spurts such as:

• Body odor
• Growing hair under the arms and the pubic area
• Having new emotions as being attracted to the opposite sex
• Getting taller

 But that some things are also different, like:

• Boys will start to produce sperms during puberty.
• Girls have ovaries that contain eggs and a uterus where a baby can grow.
• The sperms that boys start to produce are needed to help make babies.
• For girls, every month or so, an egg is realized from the ovaries. And if a sperm fertilizes the egg, it lodges into the lining of the uterus and fertilizes into a baby.
• If the released egg from the ovaries is not fertilized, the lining comes out of the v monthly or so as a period.
• This monthly process is called the menstrual cycle and is a very normal and healthy process that a girl’s body goes through.

As part of a package of the whole puberty talk with your tween son, you can also introduce him to all the feminine products a girl might use during her periods. These are:

• Tampons
• Pads
• Menstrual underwear/Period pants
• Menstrual cups

You can also take your tween son along as you go shopping and take him through the period products aisle to ease any awkwardness he might feel.

When unpacking the shopping, you can use the products you bought to explain how they are used. That is to demo how a pad is unwrapped and used on pants. Or how a tampon is unwrapped and explain how it works.

Do not overlook an important part of how a girl may experience premenstrual symptoms, such as:

• Moodiness
• Cramps
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Become more sensitive

Let your tween boy know that a girl may not mean to hurt them in the days leading up to her periods and that he should not take it personally. This might have to do with her changing hormones.

Talk to your boy that sometimes periods can also be embarrassing for a girl, and she may not want others to know when she has it. They should not tease them or make jokes about periods. They should also not go through a girl’s purse or backpack without her permission, as she may have pads or tampons.

Let your tween boy understand that supporting each other through puberty and periods is crucial, thus being mindful of each other’s feelings.

It is wise to include dads when having these period talks. Finish by asking your tween boy whether they have any queries about girls or their periods.

Do’s and Don’t When Explaining Puberty to Your Son.

1. Do Keep Things Positive: when talking to your son, avoid any language that inadvertently makes periods sound negative or dirty.
2. Do be clear and concise when explaining puberty and period to your son. If some words are new to him, make sure you explain their meanings. You can also use diagrams for ease of understanding.
3. Do encourage empathy: talk to your tween boy about having a quiet talk with a girl who has leaked her cloth rather than commenting on it to his buddies.
4. Don’t use euphemisms: When talking to your tween boy about using the right terminologies. This will avoid perpetuating the idea that periods are to be kept hidden or ashamed of. You should also explain any slang term he might have heard, like “aunty floor” or “on the rags.”
5. Don’t dodge queries: if your tween boy queries anything on periods and puberty, do not brush it off because you do not have an answer or you are too busy. Respond as best as you can and, if possible, come back to it later.
6. Don’t let him tease girls: let your tween boy know that it is very inappropriate to tease a girl because of her periods, which might make the girl very upset.

Resources To Help Your Son Understand Periods And Puberty

Many fantastic resources will help you naturally talk to your tween boy and girl about sex while respecting your personal values.

You’ll find many blog posts, YouTube videos, and books to help you talk to your child about growing up.

You’ll find our selection of the most appropriate tween health resources over here.

Got a tween girl? Make sure you head over here for our advice on dealing with first periods and making sure she has all the right supplies to be prepared for the big event.

The post Explaining Periods To Your Tween Son appeared first on Tween Parent | Family Lifestyle Blog.