Walt Disney's "The Story of Menstruation" (1946)

[AnneD]

19. School Nurse 20+ years experience here...

leave this to the professionals.....Our school district is very large in a conservative area.

I separate boys and girls in separate groups. Girls are more mature but shy and they have to deal with periods. Boys are immature, shy and sometimes act silly. I have had them together but separate works best for the short time I have to do this. I was lucky to have the art teacher-a guy in with me to help with the boys. He was great and a great sport. Kids really liked him. We co-taught the boys.

We would watch the movie (it has girls, boys, and coed section). For the girls we talk calendar, body changes, hygiene, and what to do. For boys we talk about body changes, mental attitude, and hygiene.

I do not cover birth control or sex-like I said it is conservative. But I do have a question and answer session and I have had some kids try so shock me (boys). I always encourage them to talk to their parents, older siblings, or trusted adult.

All elementary kids had to have a signed permission slip, and I assured the parent that they could preview the tape but that that the class was for the kids only. I frequently had meddling parents , but one time I actually got a single mom call me up and thank me for the sensitivity that I had in talking to her son. She said he actually came home and talked to her (like I mentioned) and told her what he had learned. That validated what I was trying to do.

When I got into middle school, I have found I need to real talk to the girls again. This is more hygiene oriented and I do not have to get a permission slip. I just reiterate the calendar, how to 'pack', how to camouflage, how many pads to pack and I emphasise responsibility and hygiene. I am contemplating talking to the boys next year, again hygiene.

I wish I could talk about relationships, but there is no time.

I believe that kids need information and that information does not make them sex crazy. My daughter developed a healthy attitude and was not sexually active until she was 21 (and she called me before-as I had asked her). We talked in depth about birth control, relationships, and and sex before she had sex. Now THAT was an uncomfortable conversation for me only because I never had one with my Mom or done that with any kids in school. But it was a really good talk and one that I am glad my daughter had with me. Hopefully she will pass her healthey attitude down to her kids.