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[rivka]

In the grocery store today, we had one of those really classic parenting moments.

Alex pointed to a package of Always Maximum Protection Super Giant-Sized sanitary pads Michael had just put on the checkstand and asked, in her clear, piercing three-year-old voice, "What are those?"

"Those are Mama's," Michael said.

So she turned to me. "Mama, what are those?"

"Those are pads for me to use after the baby is born," I told her.

"What are they for, for after the baby is born?" she persisted. I could see ears perking up all along the checkout line.

Fortunately, Really Classic Parenting Moments have ready-made Really Classic Parenting Answers.

"I'll tell you when we're in the car," I said. And all along the checkout line, disappointed heads turned away.

Comments

[rivka.livejournal.com]

Well, then, let me think. I believe I said, "For a couple of weeks after the baby is born, I'm going to have some bleeding. It won't be because I'm hurt - it will be leftover blood coming out of my uterus. I'll wear pads in my underpants to catch the blood. It won't hurt me when I bleed."

Then she asked, "What if the blood comes from the middle of your uterus?", and I explained that whichever part of my uterus the blood comes from, it will all come out through my vagina.

It was helpful to have the time from checking out to getting in the car, to figure out what I wanted to say. She hasn't noticed anything about menstruation yet, so the only context she has for blood is injury.