The Flower Box

It's almost time!

My daughter is 12 years old now, and I know that any day now, mother nature will pay her a visit. The majority of the women in my family got a little visit from mother nature around the age of 12 and 13. For me, it happened two months before my 13th birthday.

My daughter knows she can come to me about anything. I am an open book. Specifically because I never wanted her to feel ashamed or embarrassed about the changes that are happening to her. So I decided to create a Flower Box.

A Flower Box contains the essential things she will need to properly care for herself, along with some other things that she can enjoy.

The first item of course, pads. I plan to inform her about the use of tampons, but also that those should be the last option for multiple reasons like Toxic Shock Syndrome. Plus, pads are much easier to use.

2021 update: We no longer used U by Kotex after finding out about The Honey Pot company soon after I created this box.

Snacks, because who doesn't want snacks while you're on your cycle? Project 7 Gummies are a favorite in this house.

Along with some gum too!

I love St. Ives Oil Scrubs, so I added one of those to the box also.

This box is about overall self-care, so travel sized deodorant that she can take to school was an important product to add.

To relax after a long day of possible cramping and discomfort, I added some lavender bath soap.

One other important thing I wanted to include, was something she could personally identify with. Over the years, she has mentioned often how she doesn't see enough black people on tv.

When she was about 9 years old, she asked "Mommy, how come every time I see a commercial, I never see any black kids?"

Unfortunately, I can't change that, but I can find things that will help.

Color My Fro by Crystal Sawin-Bates in a coloring book with images of black women with natural hair. She has recently learned how to love her hair and I was happy when I found this book.

I then stumbled across Poems for the Smart, Spunky, and Sensational Black Girl by Rachel Garlinghouse. It's full of short poems, that are encouraging and uplifting.

Poems that will make her even more proud of who she is.

These are things that she deserves to see!

Earlier this year I bought her some books that explained puberty and all the changes that happen to your body. This will allow her to go through them on her own time.

If you want to prepare your daughter for that special day, I suggest creating a Flower Box for her. Include things she likes and things she needs, as well as openly talking about life changes.