Dear Diary,
Yesterday I got my period for the first time...

	Artwork by Andrea Good

By Molly, 13, New York (Cadette Girl Scout)

Hi! My name's Molly, I'm 13 years old, and in January, I got my period for the first time. Even though I felt prepared, a few things surprised me. That's why I'm sharing two entries from my diary with you, so you can be even more prepared than I was!

February 13, 2007

Dear Diary, Great news! Yesterday, I got my period for the first time. I was in school when I felt something gooey in my underwear. I thought it was just discharge, so I went to the bathroom to check. I found brown goo in my underwear. My hands started shaking. I thought maybe I'd gotten my period, but it didn't look like blood. Also, I'm a little flat-chested and thought my period couldn't come this early. Since school was almost over, I wiped the stuff off my underwear and went back to class. I was really scared; I thought something might be wrong with me!

By the time I got home, more of the brown stuff was on my underwear. When I told my mom, she exclaimed, "You've gotten your period!" We went to the pharmacy and got some pads. I decided to start with pads and try tampons later. I'd definitely try them before summer camp so I could go swimming.

I slept with a pad on. By the next morning, there was no doubt that I'd gotten my period! Even though some girls are shy about their periods, I was excited and told friends and family the news.

February 26, 2007

Dear Diary, I was lucky to have my first period on a Friday. By Monday I still had it, so I brought pads to school in my backpack. At the beginning of class, I asked the teacher if I could go to the bathroom, then turned around and went. That way, it wasn't obvious that I was bringing my backpack with me.

I've learned so much about my period! When you start getting it every month, you know when to expect it. In the beginning, your body can take awhile to get on a regular schedule. It's been a month and a half since my first period, and I haven't gotten it again. I always carry pads with me just in case.

Your period might feel exciting or it might feel like a hassle. For me, it was a little of both! Noting each day of your period in a diary or on a calendar is a great way to keep track of your symptoms so you know what to expect. Good luck!

For more tips about periods, see the rest of Molly's article in this month's issue of New Moon: The Magazine for Girls and Their Dreams. Or check out www.newmoon.org/magazine and click on "City Girl, Country Girl" to learn more about periods.

Reprinted, with permission, from New Moon®: The Magazine for Girls and Their Dreams; Copyright New Moon® Publishing, Duluth, Minn. www.newmoon.org

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