Well friends, it was quite the Monday.
I began the day, as I do once in a while, vomiting. This was the first projectile vomit in 2.5 weeks; so really, I had nearly forgotten the feeling seasickness and the flexibility it takes to vomit while holding one's own curtain bangs out of the way.
But, I rallied. I worked (not enough). I casually considered the laundry. And I made an enormous list of so many things to do in the remaining hours of the day.
One of the best times of the day was spent at the pediatrician with my middle daughter. Out of all my children, I do expect her to be the most rationale when it comes to the wearing of the paper gown. However, she ripped hers apart, complained about "inappropriate sizing," told the doctor she'd fail on the unconventional materials challenge on Project Runway (we watched this instead of Sesame Street during her preschool years) and then proceeded to try to hide in a cabinet so no one "asked her questions she did not want to answer."
She says she wants to be a scientist. But I think the CIA should recruit her. Because, friends, she did not answer anything she did not want to answer.
She is a bit of an inspiration in that way.
In particular, she did not want to discuss what she deems "girl stuff." (Note: when she finds this blog, she will have my head, but I am forging ahead, anyway, like a fool.)
And you know, I don't ever want to discuss "girl stuff" either, except with like my girls and my girlfriends.
But, here I am, discussing it in my blog.
I know we are supposed to be modern and open and liberated and shout about menstruation from the roof tops and make sure our boys and our husbands and all the men in our lives understand how to pick a tampon or a pad or order period underwear from Amazon and even shop for menstrual cups in the Target.
But, really, friends, the men in my life do not need these skills, just like I do not need whatever skills it takes to have a penis. All the men in the world do need to understand is that menstruation is normal, it is not a joke or something to mock with ridiculous nicknames and euphemisms, it happens and well, it is often a bit of a burden, isn't it?
It is especially a burden for women and girls living in poverty--everyone needs to be aware of that and do what they can to alleviate this burden ensuring ways to provide menstruation supplies to women and girls and also ensuring access to women's health services. And women and girls who affected by natural disasters and war--they are often left without anything.
I had this recurring nightmare as a teenager that our house would burn down with all my bras inside.
It's hard being a girl.
So, now we've reached the moment of the blog, where I tell you how you can help. There are two things: educate your sons on what they need to now about menstruation; but also remind them that they will never be the experts and to avoid mansplaining menstruation.
And, help a woman or girl in need by donating to I Support the Girls. Girls in my daughter's Girl Scout Troop just did a donation drive; but you can donate anytime!
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