Honouring Menarche

The day a girl gets her first period is a special day.

Although there a many less obvious changes in the months before, the arrival of menstrual blood is a visible and memorable marker in the transition journey from girl to woman.

The Celebration Day is a special opportunity to connect with and prepare your daughter, while also creating a beautiful lasting memory.

The workshop will allow her to anticipate and move with the changes of puberty in a positive and informed way. Through story, craft and sharing we create a meaningful and affirming experience for girls. Open and honest communication about what to expect can help ease any worries and/or prevent our girls from having their own negative “period story” which many of us mums have.

With so many extra pressures on girls nowadays, making sure they are prepared, informed and confident in their bodies, is essential. The intention of the Celebration Day workshop is to normalise the experience of puberty through open discussion and promote self awareness with a positive approach to menstruation, so girls can develop a healthy, respectful relationship with their bodies. Find out what girls say here.

The workshop is aimed at girls between 10 -13 years of age. Girls do not need to have begun menstruating to attend. The workshop is also still worthwhile for those girls who have started bleeding already as it will support them in feeling comfortable in talking with friends and other women. Mothers and female caregivers, you are an important part of this workshop too. Your presence is valued and contributes to making the day deeply memorable and special for all the girls.

Originally created by Jane Bennett, the Celebration Day workshops include a 2 hour mothers session before the day, followed by a whole day that is composed of girls only time and combined mother daughter time. Further information about the day and FAQ can be found on the website https://celebrationdayforgirls.com/

This workshop has been helpful for :

• mums who were finding it hard to discuss menstruation with their daughters
• daughters who knew a little bit but didn’t feel comfortable or want to hear more about it from mum
• mums who wanted a more positive introduction and experience for their daughters

Some genuine outcomes from sessions:

• girls who came feeling quite negative about the thought of periods, left feeling the opposite!
• girls feeling confident enough to advocate for a menstrual product disposal bin to be placed in the year 5/6 toilets of their school, so no one had to walk all the way across the other side of the school!
• mums and girls learning about different menstrual products they hadn’t known about.

As a trained facilitator I offer these workshops to my local community on an as need basis. Workshops can be for friendship groups or school groups. Check the events page on the Maidens of Gaia facebook page for current workshops or contact me to bring this to your community. https://www.facebook.com/maidensofgaia/events

https://www.facebook.com/maidensofgaia/events/?ref=page_internal

Testimonial

Thankyou so much for the day on Sunday. I just wanted to let you know that my daughter got so much out of the day. On the drive back she said to me that she had this nice feeling in her tummy… She hasn’t really said anything specific but keeps making little comments, all very positive, about different things so I know it is still on her mind.
Liz

Testimonial
Thank you so much for today. I am so lucky to have this day with my daughter, one that we’ll never forget and to create bonds that will last forever. Thankyou thankyou thankyou xx
Hayley

Testimonial
Bel holds nurturing, open & non judgmental spaces where women can thrive. Her generosity and warmth are matched by her insight and ability to articulate and navigate the deeper concepts and practices she brings from her own learnings. Whether working with young girls or women Bel shares her thoughts, feelings and laughter respectfully; honouring everyone’s experiences and strengths to create meaningful, collaborative gatherings that carry me back into my everyday world feeling inspired and empowered.
Monica