Preteen refuses to go to camp cuz of period

amother

OP ↓

Sun, Jul 17 2022, 1:49 pm

Background - I only signed her up for one week, with her approval. And she was excited and very nervous. Last night she got her period, probably her fourth time or so, so definitely still getting used to it. She tells me point blank she's not going to camp tomorrow. I couldn't have a conversation with her yet because I'm not fasting well and my head hurt too much for that kind of "argument".
Would you force the issue? I'm not sure how to go about it ... I hate day camp for this reason - I pay then I sometimes need to "force" kids to go. It is supposed to be fun, not like a need like school!!

Ema of 5

Sun, Jul 17 2022, 1:55 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

I wouldn’t force her but I would have a conversation with her to find out WHY having her period means she’s not going. Are there a lot of water activities this week? Does she have pain when she gets her period? Find out why she doesn’t have a problem going to school, but she won’t go to camp. If she still insists on not going after that talk, I would reach out to the camp and tell them something came up, is there any way she can go the following week instead?

amother

Ruby

Sun, Jul 17 2022, 1:58 pm

I would not force the issue.

I would, however, point out to her that she only has this one week in camp, and that it would be a shame to miss it. I'd try to address her specific concerns of where her period could interfere with enjoying camp. Is she worried about leaking? Is she concerned about bringing pads and how to hide them? Does she get cramps?

If even after discussing all of the above with her she still doesn't want to go, I would not force her. Periods can be a very big deal to a young teen.

I understand the financial frustration though!

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Jul 17 2022, 4:46 pm

ra_mom wrote:

The girls wear bathing suits and shorts on top while they tan.

Not so sure that's my daughter 's speed. She's the type to want to swim and will (does) feel bad if she can't. But I'll mention this. Thanks.
So far no luck in our conversation :-(

↑ ra_mom

Sun, Jul 17 2022, 4:47 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Not so sure that's my daughter 's speed. She's the type to want to swim and will (does) feel bad if she can't. But I'll mention this. Thanks.
So far no luck in our conversation :-(

You can teach her how to use tampons and she can join. It's not too early.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Jul 17 2022, 5:26 pm

ra_mom wrote:

You can teach her how to use tampons and she can join. It's not too early.

I explained the best I was able, cuz I don't use them, and it was a no way!
I appreciate the help though!

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Jul 17 2022, 8:18 pm

BH I was able to get through to the counselor. She said my dd should just not bring her bathing suit, say she left it at home - they don't swim every day and apparently girls are often forgetting their swim stuff.
BH that'll help iyh with the first day. We are taking it one day at a time :-)

amother

Pear

Sun, Jul 17 2022, 9:06 pm

amother [ Burlywood ] wrote:

She can wear this period swimwear underneath her regular bathing suit/swimming dress.
https://www.amazon.com/Period-.....r=8-5

Love this. My dd decided she will not swim in camp at all this summer cuz she doesn't want ppl to guess when she has her period. Gonna a show this to her

amother

↑ OP ↓

Mon, Jul 18 2022, 7:52 pm

So, today worked well BH because we had a lot of rain and they didn't even swim anyway. Tomorrow is another story - they plan to swim...
I showed her the period swimwear, because as I told her we will be going away at the end of the summer too iyh with a pool and she may have an issue then too. It was a no way there too... She didn't even want to hear options, honestly. So, whatever - this is the best I can do right now. Iyh she has it light and quick or changes her own mind.
Thanks for the help!

amother

↑ OP

Tue, Jul 19 2022, 6:12 am

amother [ Burlywood ] wrote:

She can wear this period swimwear underneath her regular bathing suit/swimming dress.
https://www.amazon.com/Period-.....r=8-5

I'm just curious if you have personal experience with it? It has very mixed reviews.

amother

Tangerine

Tue, Jul 19 2022, 6:45 am

No advice here I just wanted to share that I clearly remember the summer before 6th grade I devised a plan to wear the thickest pad I can find so I'd only have to change my pad once in camp and no1 would figure it out if I just went to the bathroom while everyone was outside playing sports.
I have no recollection of what I did by swimming time (Maybe we didn't go swimming)
Though I love tampons now they scare a lot of girls so I understand her refusal.
Faced a similar situation with 13 y/o sister when she visited and couldn't swim with us Sad