Celebration Day for Girls™
Inspire Curiosity, Wonderment and Appreciation for the Changes of Puberty
Celebration Day for Girls (10-12 Years)
Father's Celebrating Daughters™
Celebration Day for Girls™
Why?
As parents, educators, health professionals, and others who care for girls, we’re aware of the traps and hazards lurking to undermine tween and teen girls’ confidence. Attacks on positive body-image and self-esteem are frequent, making staying connected to positive role models and supports all the more important. There are many great educational initiatives underway, research engaged in, books and articles being written and movies made for the purpose of supporting girls as they mature.
One area that has not much featured in these efforts is an in-depth, multi-faceted approach to girls’ experience of the changes of puberty and menarche (first period). The common mechanistic ‘plumbing approach’ gives scant time and recognition to the many layers of the menstrual experience for girls and women. As it turns out this is a key piece of the puzzle.
Extensive research has shown that for young girls who experience menarche well prepared, with a positive introduction and emotional support, the result is higher self-esteem, fewer negative cycle related symptoms, favourable overall menstrual perception and easier subsequent births.[1]
As such positively presented and fascinating facts, fun activities and spacious conversation around these topics can have a profound and lasting impact on girls, in conjunction with the ongoing support of mothers, fathers and other carers.
By enabling a healthy and grounded experience of the changes of puberty we deeply nourish girls’ self-esteem, self-awareness and positive body image. In this way we can support a physical and psychological integrity that underpins healthy decision making around relationships, sex and fertility when that time comes, as well as other life choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have explained all about periods to my daughter so will she get anything out of the Celebration Day?
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A Celebration Day for Girls builds upon the understanding each girl may already have and includes activities designed to strengthen an open connection between mother and daughter. The benefit of celebrating in a group is the experience that each girl and her mother bring to the day and as well as the unfolding group experience. The freedom to discuss periods with their peers in a safe and comfortable space helps to normalise periods for girls. Similarly hearing a variety of women’s stories adds to the richness of girls’ understanding. The celebratory aspect of the Day helps confirm for each girl that her experience of menarche is both entirely normal and one that is shared with all women, but equally, uniquely special.
Many girls who have experienced a Celebration Day for Girls go on to share their experience of menarche with their friends and have gained insight into ways they can best care for themselves and support their peers. All in all, A Celebration Day paves the way for a rich, positive and connected ongoing experience.
What should I say to my daughter about the workshop?
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There is no need to specially prepare her or say very much. You could lean on the title of the day and say, ‘it’s a special day for celebrating being a girl’. You could say, ‘it’s about puberty and growing up’. Or you could say, ‘it’s a fun and beautiful day, filled with lots of activities that you’ll find really interesting’. For some girls knowing this much is exciting and they can’t wait, and others may feel embarrassed at the thought of anyone talking about puberty and periods. We are familiar with and respect all the feelings that may arise for girls and find that within a short time girls are relaxed and enjoying the day’s activities and conversations.
If your daughter has any anxiety about the day you can reassure her that at no time will she be asked to share anything about her personal experiences and changes.
Does the adult who comes with a girl have to be her mother?
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Should I let my daughter decide if she wants to come to the workshop or just say we're going?
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For some girls it is difficult to imagine what could be fun about spending a day focused on puberty and menstruation and for others the idea is intriguing. In our experience all girls of this age group have a fun day, with this firm foundation spreading benefits well into their future. We have found that even the most reluctant girls relax and settle within a short time and all leave with a new confidence and comfort with themselves and their changing bodies, as well as a great mutually-supportive ‘womanly’ bond with their mother or female carer.
Many mothers present the Celebration Day for Girls as a non-negotiable event and others prefer to ask their daughter if she wants to attend. In some situations the Celebration Day is a class curriculum event. Whatever your situation you are welcome to talk this through with your facilitator.
“My daughter was full of enthusiasm and confidence the evening after the workshop and was desperate to remember and tell every little detail that she had experienced … a great change from the apprehensive daughter I dropped off in the morning.” Ingrid
Can we have a Celebration Day for Girls just for the girls in my daughter's Class?
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Yes, absolutely. Facilitators frequently hold ‘private’ Celebration Days for class and friendship groups as well as Celebration Days which are open to girls from different schools and localities. For a class group the Celebration Day can be a wonderful shared experience as they begin to traverse this special time of life together. The Celebration Day can strengthen the bond between girls who already know each other, and is a unique opportunity for them to explore these topics in a fun and safely held way. Often we have girls’ female teachers join us for the afternoon session with mothers and daughters.
From experience ‘public’ Celebration Days often do have girls who know each other or are related, however this isn’t necessary and our facilitators are skilled at creating a warm, safe and connected space for the day. In this case girls are frequently excited about sharing their experience of the day with their sisters, friends and schoolmates, as well as vowing to stay in touch with their new friends from the Celebration Day.
This topic is covered within my daughter's school curriculum why would I consider bringing her to a Celebration Day as well?
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While some form of ‘health and human development’ curriculum is available in most schools and is likely to cover the rudiments of reproduction and the menstrual cycle this is a far removed from the intent and content of A Celebration Day for Girls.
A Celebration Day for Girls can add many unique and special elements even if your daughter has already had numerous school sessions on puberty. These include: the opportunity for relaxed and spacious conversation and questions, a whole girls-only day, a sense of the wonder, beauty and interconnectedness of nature in contrast to a mechanical ‘plumbing’ approach, conversation and connection between girls and girls and their mothers and, not least, fun and celebration!
Research with older teens found that the most valuable input for girls around the time of their first period is emotional support, with practical understanding and information about reproductive biology running distant second and third. With this awareness we focus on connection, normalisation, safety and comfort.
My daughter has started her period can she still come to the Celebration Day?
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Yes! Of course! She is very welcome. Every girl is individual and comes to menarche according to her own body’s timing. In previous workshops we have had some girls who have started their periods and many who haven’t. While she has experienced her menarche, your daughter may now have some new questions about puberty and menstruation and will benefit from the multi-faceted approach of the Celebration Day. She may also like to share something of her experience with the other girls. That said we have utmost respect for each girl’s privacy and at no time do we ask that they share any of their personal experiences.
In contrast to a reluctance in schools and our culture generally to speak openly and often about menstruation at the Celebration Day for Girls we aim to provide a creative, informed and fun day that supports a healthy, curious and open approach to this important and pervasive feminine experience.
My daughter knows very little about periods and reproduction. Will that be a problem for her on the day?
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Not at all, this is a perfect opportunity for her to come along and find out more. A Celebration Day for Girls is designed to meet the needs of all girls regardless of their prior knowledge and understanding of the reproductive workings of their body. Information is delivered in a clear but gentle manner, and a sense of respect and wonder is engendered in how our bodies work and mature. A range of materials and activities are used to engage girls and create a comfortable, interactive and fun day. An aim of the Day is to normalise menarche and menstruation for girls, and celebrate it in a way that encourages an ongoing positive relationship with their reproductive health.
Facilitators are well trained and provide relevant, factual information and girls can ask questions in a relaxed, supportive environment. There is also an opportunity for girls to write down anonymous ‘curly’ or ‘embarrassing’ questions.
What if a girl lives with her dad? Can he bring her to a Celebration Day for Girls?
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We honour the special role fathers have in their daughter’s life and the importance of their support during puberty and adolescence and A Celebration Day for Girls is a female only event. If you are a father raising your daughter on your own you may like to speak with your daughter about who she would like to have accompany her, or speak with a female relative or friend who can then invite your girl to A Celebration Day for Girls. Either way this will be a special event for her and she can tell you all about it when she comes home (or not).
We have a program especially for fathers called Fathers Celebrating Daughters. At this program you can join with other men and one of our experienced facilitators to learn more about how best to support, and nurture your daughter’s healthy development through puberty and adolescence. All while maintaining your uniquely important connection with her.
You may also like to have a look through the affiliation links (bottom right) for resources that will support you and your daughter at this time.
Can we have a Celebration Day for Girls just for the girls in my daughter's class?
Read More
Yes, absolutely. Facilitators frequently hold ‘private’ Celebration Days for class and friendship groups as well as Celebration Days which are open to girls from different schools and localities. For a class group the Celebration Day can be a wonderful shared experience as they begin to traverse this special time of life together. The Celebration Day can strengthen the bond between girls who already know each other, and is a unique opportunity for them to explore these topics in a fun and safely held way. Often we have girls’ female teachers join us for the afternoon session with mothers and daughters.
From experience ‘public’ Celebration Days often do have girls who know each other or are related, however this isn’t necessary and our facilitators are skilled at creating a warm, safe and connected space for the day. In this case girls are frequently excited about sharing their experience of the day with their sisters, friends and schoolmates, as well as vowing to stay in touch with their new friends from the Celebration Day.
A Celebration Day for Girls can't really be a celebration of my daughter's menarche as we don't know when that will be. So what exactly are we celebrating?
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Absolutely right. The exact timing of your daughter’s menarche is unknown, unless it’s already happened of course. During a Celebration Day for Girls we are celebrating being a girl, and the wonders of our female bodies. For many girls the day acts as an awakening to a new awareness of the importance of, and pride in, these changes and her emerging womanly body.
The celebration is also a beautiful bonding for mothers and daughters around their own shared and age-specific experiences. At the end of the day participants may express what the celebration has been for them in slightly different ways, however the feedback we receive is that everyone is nourished, warmed and energised by the experience.
When is your next Celebration Day?
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How much does a Celebration Day for Girls cost?
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The cost is $165 per mother/daughter pair. The fee includes the 2-hour long mother’s only session and the Celebration Day for Girls. Closed group session prices are available for groups of 10+ girls.
I have had a very difficult time with my periods so it's really hard to think of anything positive to say to my daughter. However I do want her to have a better time of it than me. Will the Celebration Day help?
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Most definitely. An important, and perhaps unspoken, part of the Celebration Day for Girls is that mothers have the opportunity to re-dream a little of their own menarche and menstrual story as they gather with their daughters to celebrate. Many of us, partly because of cultural silence or even hostility to aspects of women’s bodies, along with inherited physical traits, have experienced a painful time with our periods, both emotionally and physically.
In the Mother’s Session before the Celebration Day you will have an opportunity to express some of your own feelings about your experience of menstruation. Women have often found this sharing to be revelatory and insightful, both by sharing their own and hearing those of other women, and offers a path to a fresh new relationship with their menstrual cycle and female body. (Please note that while women generally find this valuable there is no compulsion at the Mother’s Session or the Celebration Day for Girls to share personal experiences.)
Dr. Christiane Northrup, in her book Mother-Daughter Wisdom, says, “The mother-daughter relationship is the foundation of every woman’s health. It has more clout biologically, emotionally and psychologically than any other relationship in a woman’s life.” If you have had a difficult time with your periods you may not want to scare your daughter with graphic descriptions and the key to your support for her at this time is genuine communication and connection. You may like to share with her some of your experience in an age appropriate way as well as speak with her about how you want it to be for her. Allow ample time to hear her questions, ideas and concerns. The Celebration Day for Girls will gently and smoothly support this communication between you.
A Celebration Day for Girls creates a space where girls can feel good about their journey toward inhabiting a woman’s body. As your daughter sits with friends (new or old) and a skilled facilitator she will imbibe a sense that she can experience menstruation each month in a positive way, and that, if she has discomfort or other menstrual problems she can get the support she needs.
The Celebration Day for Girls facilitators have each undergone their own personal journeys with menstruation and have dedicated themselves to the rich practice of menstrual cycle awareness. Through this process they have become passionate educators in this field.
What do you talk about during the Celebration Day?
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- Seasons and cycles of life
- Exploring stories and practices from different times and cultures for a healthy dose of cultural relativism
- Practical ways to manage menstruation at school, at home and elsewhere
- The physiology and biochemistry of the menstrual cycle, hormones, menstrual blood (how much, what is it? and so on)
- Pads and tampons, disposable and reusable pads, cups and underwear
- Puberty, body changes and emotions
- Feelings about starting to menstruate
- Mother’s menarche stories
- Girls and women supporting each other
- And more depending on girls’ questions, concerns and curiosity.
What do you do during the workshop?
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During the Celebration Day we incorporate many different activities and conversations in order to honour a variety of learning styles, all of which weave into the themes for the day. These include: art and craft, mothers telling stories about their growing up experiences, fun activities and stories from a variety of cultures, conversational cards processes, sharing and building on our knowledge and understanding of puberty and the menstrual cycle in creative and affirmative ways, exploring practicalities of managing menstruation at school, at home and when we’re away from home, simple celebration and much, much more!
We don’t want to give too many more details about the day to help preserve an element of surprise for girls, however if you would like to know more specifics please feel free to contact us, either the facilitator closest to you or via our general contact details.
How long is a Celebration Day?
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The Celebration Day for Girls is generally 10 am to 4pm, with morning tea and lunch breaks. These times may vary if an earlier or later start suits a particular group better. The first two sessions of the day – 10-11.30am and 12-1.15pm – are for girls only and mothers join in at 1.15 for the remainder of the day.
The two-hour mother’s session prior to the Celebration Day is scheduled somewhere between two weeks and one day before the day, depending on when is most convenient for the group and facilitator.
Fathers Celebrating Daughters™
Do you feel ready? Do you feel overwhelmed sometimes? Or are you sailing through? Regardless, dad’s can expect a lively and potentially an enlightening discussion during this workshop. Jam packed with many tips and ideas for fathers wishing to open and maintain conversations and connection with their daughters.
Very often this workshop is scheduled for shortly before, or soon after, the Celebration Day for Girls workshop.
Father’s Celebrating Daughters Topics;
- Understanding and supporting girl’s changes of puberty and menarche
- What is A Celebration Day for Girls, and what is a father’s role at this time?
- Understanding and mitigating the sexualisation of girls by media, advertising and the online world, including pornography
- Supporting self esteem, positive body image and healthy relationships
- How to share your values with your daughter, and listen to hers
- How to share a positive, respectful, loving and connected view of sex
- PMS, menstruation, cramps – helping girls toward menstrual wellbeing
- 101 ways to staying connected and relevant to your daughter, and enjoy each other’s company!
- Toddlers securely attached to fathers are better at solving problems.
- Girls whose fathers provide warmth and clear boundaries achieve higher academic success.
- Girls who are close to their fathers exhibit less anxiety and withdrawn behaviors.
In Older Girls;
- Girls with doting fathers are more assertive.
- Daughters who perceive that their fathers care a lot about them, who feel connected to their fathers, have significantly fewer suicide attempts and fewer instances of body dissatisfaction, depression, low self-esteem, substance abuse, and unhealthy weight.
- Girls with involved fathers are twice as likely to stay in school.
- A daughter’s self-esteem is best predicted by her father’s physical affection.
- Girls with fathers who are involved in their lives have higher quantitative and verbal skills and higher intellectual functioning.
- Fathers help daughters become more competent, more achievement-oriented, and more successful.
- Girls have a lower risk of unplanned teen pregnancy if their father lives at home.