Another way of saying this is that men don’t menstruate. While in the car yesterday driving home, I told my somewhat conservative husband that I was going to post a blog that starts out by saying that presidents don’t have periods and he got me to thinking further, that maybe they never will. One day when a woman is finally elected President of the United States, she will probably be more mature and most likely would have gone through menopause. Then, this loving husband turned the tide and called me a sexist/ageist (in fun) and said that maybe a younger woman would be elected President and she could, in essence, have a period. I just shook my head.
Actually, the reason I brought up the topic in the first place, other than the obvious fact that today is President’s Day, is to share an article of interest from beinggirl.com called: “The Weaker Sex? Yeah Right” (and, believe me, that is a very sarcastic title). When reading it, it made me frustrated again that we have never had a woman be President of the United States of America, even though other countries have had female Presidents, Prime Ministers, and royalty successfully run a country. After all, I have a daughter and now 2 granddaughters and I would like to think that they too could be President if they had the right qualifications and if that is what they would want to attain. (Actually, I also have two grandsons and would like to think that one day one of them would be presidential material too.)
The article, The Weaker Sex, addresses some myths that have kids believing that girls are not as strong emotionally, psychologically or intellectually as boys. Of course they are and the article provides facts that support that. One point in the article that supports my belief about how crazy it is that the U.S. Presidency has been an all boys club thus far is that: “Girls outnumber boys in student government, honor societies, school newspapers and debating clubs. They feel closer to their families, have higher aspirations and for the first time are documented as having better assertiveness skills.” In other words, girls can be leaders too and have the capability and desire to do just that.
When it all comes down to it, I want to see the most qualified PERSON elected President and that should never be a gender issues. However, it would be nice to truly not have it be about gender and we end up with the best candidate being a woman. Now, that would be a celebration!!
Would you vote for a woman for president?? Bet most of you say YES!
http://www.beinggirl.com/en_US/articledetail.jsp?ContentId=ART331&utm_source=247moms.blogspot&utm_medium=NurseElaine&utm_content=link20110221&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Meeting the Puberty Challenge With Info, Support and Free Products
I am having an Oprah favorite things moment this morning. Love the Tampax and Always Uniquely Girl interactive puberty education program – truly! The program, developed by medical experts, school nurses, health educators, parents and teens is free, easy to use and has sections specific for educators, parents, and teens.
Talking to a teen about puberty and menstruation can be a challenge because, as parents or educators, we want to ensure we approach the topics in a factual, positive and sensitive way setting the stage for ongoing dialogue. One of the great things in this program, amongst others, is that it addresses the relevant subjects that should be addressed, such as: Puberty, Healthy Living, Feminine Protection, Toxic Shock Syndrome, PMS and Cramps, Breast and Cervical Health, Common Infections and Emotional Health. The information is there to use, as appropriate for your needs.
Another aspect of Uniquely Girl that is so positive is that it is convenient and easy to use. For teachers, materials can be downloaded when the curriculum is going to be used. There is a teacher’s guide, interactive learning modules, such as quizzes and a free sample kit for each student the teacher can obtain once they register for the program. Additionally, teachers can refer students to the sight and give assignments using the teen specific interactive content.
I hear parents say over and over again that they want to get the best book or the most appropriate information source to use to talk to their teen about periods and puberty. It isn’t just about handing your teen a pad or tampon and saying you’re getting your period, it happens every month and get over it – ABSOLUTELY NOT!! We want to share information, show visuals about why the body changes, how that happens and the best way to manage the monthly cycle and do that in a way that reassures and engages our child in the topic. Another reason I like the Uniquely Girl program is that it has content specific to girls, including easy to use diagrams. You can talk through the content and share your own personal experiences and then your teen can get online, peruse the teen-specific area and send away for free samples. Great use of computer time! Then you can follow-up and talk more about what they discovered. Personally, I like the ongoing talks more than the initial, first time discussion.
Teachers have used the Always school program for over 25 years. The Uniquely Girl online version is a more recent rendition with added sections for parents and their daughters. Check it out, download the materials for use with your child and begin a road of trusted dialogue and ongoing discussions about sensitive topics that your daughter only wants YOU to address.
Would love to hear about your experience using the program.
http://www.uniquelygirl.com/home.do?utm_source=247moms.blogspot&utm_medium=NurseElaine&utm_content=link20110217&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
Talking to a teen about puberty and menstruation can be a challenge because, as parents or educators, we want to ensure we approach the topics in a factual, positive and sensitive way setting the stage for ongoing dialogue. One of the great things in this program, amongst others, is that it addresses the relevant subjects that should be addressed, such as: Puberty, Healthy Living, Feminine Protection, Toxic Shock Syndrome, PMS and Cramps, Breast and Cervical Health, Common Infections and Emotional Health. The information is there to use, as appropriate for your needs.
Another aspect of Uniquely Girl that is so positive is that it is convenient and easy to use. For teachers, materials can be downloaded when the curriculum is going to be used. There is a teacher’s guide, interactive learning modules, such as quizzes and a free sample kit for each student the teacher can obtain once they register for the program. Additionally, teachers can refer students to the sight and give assignments using the teen specific interactive content.
I hear parents say over and over again that they want to get the best book or the most appropriate information source to use to talk to their teen about periods and puberty. It isn’t just about handing your teen a pad or tampon and saying you’re getting your period, it happens every month and get over it – ABSOLUTELY NOT!! We want to share information, show visuals about why the body changes, how that happens and the best way to manage the monthly cycle and do that in a way that reassures and engages our child in the topic. Another reason I like the Uniquely Girl program is that it has content specific to girls, including easy to use diagrams. You can talk through the content and share your own personal experiences and then your teen can get online, peruse the teen-specific area and send away for free samples. Great use of computer time! Then you can follow-up and talk more about what they discovered. Personally, I like the ongoing talks more than the initial, first time discussion.
Teachers have used the Always school program for over 25 years. The Uniquely Girl online version is a more recent rendition with added sections for parents and their daughters. Check it out, download the materials for use with your child and begin a road of trusted dialogue and ongoing discussions about sensitive topics that your daughter only wants YOU to address.
Would love to hear about your experience using the program.
http://www.uniquelygirl.com/home.do?utm_source=247moms.blogspot&utm_medium=NurseElaine&utm_content=link20110217&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine’s Day to YOURSELF!!
We live in a commercial society. Of course that is not news to anyone. The part of that, however, which is relevant to my posting today is the idea of holiday expectations. The way it evolves on Valentine’s Day is that in TV commercials, on magazine covers and in online advertising, we see couples exchanging loving thoughts, gifts and memorable moments. Their love always seems perfect and everyone looks trim and affluent. NOT REALITY!
For some, there is no fabulous lover to shower them with jewels, flowers or fancy dinners. The love card doesn’t come in the mail or by email or text. Could be sad, but shouldn’t be. Why you ask should the lack of a Valentine’s Day love not be sad?? My answer is that you can LOVE YOURSELF!!! Yep. With that kind of love, there is always the perfect gift, the most desired outing and a different way of viewing the world.
When I was younger, single and without that doting partner who satisfied my every whim, I found other ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. For example, I become the secret Valentine of the other 19 residents in my condominium building. I would buy cheapo cards and place a piece of chocolate in each one and set them by each door the night before Valentine’s Day. No one guessed who did that, but everyone enjoyed the surprise. I loved that no one guessed and that I was cupid for the day. Along with that, I joined girlfriends for dinner to laugh or just dish about days gone by – always fun!
I found some other possibilities about how to feel great on Valentine’s Day without a boyfriend on the beinggirl.com site. Note that if you are not of the boyfriend persuasion, the ideas can apply to anyone without a Valentine lover. While the article is focused to teens, it is relevant to those of us, like myself, who are young at heart and still believe in love and loving yourself first.
Take a read and let me know what you think!
Happy Valentine’s Day to YOU!
http://www.beinggirl.com/en_US/articledetail.jsp?ContentId=ART11117&utm_source=247nins,blogspot&utm_medium=NurseElaine&utm_content=link20110214&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
For some, there is no fabulous lover to shower them with jewels, flowers or fancy dinners. The love card doesn’t come in the mail or by email or text. Could be sad, but shouldn’t be. Why you ask should the lack of a Valentine’s Day love not be sad?? My answer is that you can LOVE YOURSELF!!! Yep. With that kind of love, there is always the perfect gift, the most desired outing and a different way of viewing the world.
When I was younger, single and without that doting partner who satisfied my every whim, I found other ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. For example, I become the secret Valentine of the other 19 residents in my condominium building. I would buy cheapo cards and place a piece of chocolate in each one and set them by each door the night before Valentine’s Day. No one guessed who did that, but everyone enjoyed the surprise. I loved that no one guessed and that I was cupid for the day. Along with that, I joined girlfriends for dinner to laugh or just dish about days gone by – always fun!
I found some other possibilities about how to feel great on Valentine’s Day without a boyfriend on the beinggirl.com site. Note that if you are not of the boyfriend persuasion, the ideas can apply to anyone without a Valentine lover. While the article is focused to teens, it is relevant to those of us, like myself, who are young at heart and still believe in love and loving yourself first.
Take a read and let me know what you think!
Happy Valentine’s Day to YOU!
http://www.beinggirl.com/en_US/articledetail.jsp?ContentId=ART11117&utm_source=247nins,blogspot&utm_medium=NurseElaine&utm_content=link20110214&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Home Remedy for a period GONE BAD!!
Some women get really painful cramps when they get their period. And, NO they have not gone mad. I remember reading that in days gone by (and they can stay days gone by) women who had menstrual cramps were considered deranged. Fortunately, today we know that isn't so and there are ways to manage cramps without being interred in an insane asylum.
There is a discussion that I posted on WebMD that provides home remedies that can help minimize the discomfort. Of course, like anything that may go beyond the usual in regards to your health, please contact your health care provider if your cramps are really concerning.
Take a read and let me know what you think or have suggestions for others.
http://forums.webmd.com/3/gynecology-exchange/forum/20705
There is a discussion that I posted on WebMD that provides home remedies that can help minimize the discomfort. Of course, like anything that may go beyond the usual in regards to your health, please contact your health care provider if your cramps are really concerning.
Take a read and let me know what you think or have suggestions for others.
http://forums.webmd.com/3/gynecology-exchange/forum/20705
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)