I had "Growing Up and Liking It," but it sure didn't look like that! Mine was in the 50s, and I don't remember the format -- it might have been similar -- but I do know it said not to go horseback riding or swimming or even attend gym class when you have your period! I don't remember what the booklet said about hair, but common wisdom in those days was that you shouldn't get a permanent because it wouldn't "take" during "that time of the month." =rolls eyes=
My story of being told early is very much like yours. My mother's parents were both immigrants from Eastern Europe, with a full complement of the 19th century old country values, knowledge and superstitions they were raised with. One day when my mom was 11 or so (this would be about 1926), she discovered she was bleeding from "down there," and ran in a panic to her mother. When she told her mother what was happening, her mother slapped her across the face, on both cheeks.
Then my grandmother told my mom about "the curse." Yes, that's what she called it. And she explained that she had slapped her because that way she would always have rosy cheeks. But my mother had been deeply shocked by the whole situation, and started telling me about menstruation when I was 7 or 8 so that no matter how early I might get my first period, I would already know what was going to happen and be prepared for it!
She also spoke very positively of it, saying that they don't use expressions like "the curse" any more, assuring me that it doesn't hurt and is very normal and natural, and making a big deal about how I would be "a woman" when I got my first period. So I was actually looking forward to it, and was very excited when I finally started about a month before my 11th birthday.
How much of it was my positive attitude, how much of it was genetic, and how much just sheer good luck I'll never know, but I rarely had any problems with my period. I had very, very mild cramps, nothing that would keep me home from school for a day or two every month like some girls. (Having to miss a day or two of school each month was also considered normal and natural in the 1950s =sigh= )
The only problem I ever had was in my late 30s, when my periods started getting heavier and heavier ... and eventually got to the point where the thickest pad plus the thickest tampon, used together, would give me about an hour before they were both soaked through! I was really anemic too, of course. Even with those ridiculously heavy periods, though, I still had very little pain. It was just disabling because I couldn't leave the house for a couple of days every month so I could have constant access to the bathroom! It turned out that I had a fibroid tumor, so I ended up having a hysterectomy when I was 44. At the time it seemed like a terrible thing to have to do, but in retrospect, I shouldn't even have waited as long as I did to do something about the situation.
Sheesh, I didn't mean to write a book! Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane. I hope your story has a happy ending!
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My story of being told early is very much like yours. My mother's parents were both immigrants from Eastern Europe, with a full complement of the 19th century old country values, knowledge and superstitions they were raised with. One day when my mom was 11 or so (this would be about 1926), she discovered she was bleeding from "down there," and ran in a panic to her mother. When she told her mother what was happening, her mother slapped her across the face, on both cheeks.
Then my grandmother told my mom about "the curse." Yes, that's what she called it. And she explained that she had slapped her because that way she would always have rosy cheeks. But my mother had been deeply shocked by the whole situation, and started telling me about menstruation when I was 7 or 8 so that no matter how early I might get my first period, I would already know what was going to happen and be prepared for it!
She also spoke very positively of it, saying that they don't use expressions like "the curse" any more, assuring me that it doesn't hurt and is very normal and natural, and making a big deal about how I would be "a woman" when I got my first period. So I was actually looking forward to it, and was very excited when I finally started about a month before my 11th birthday.
How much of it was my positive attitude, how much of it was genetic, and how much just sheer good luck I'll never know, but I rarely had any problems with my period. I had very, very mild cramps, nothing that would keep me home from school for a day or two every month like some girls. (Having to miss a day or two of school each month was also considered normal and natural in the 1950s =sigh= )
The only problem I ever had was in my late 30s, when my periods started getting heavier and heavier ... and eventually got to the point where the thickest pad plus the thickest tampon, used together, would give me about an hour before they were both soaked through! I was really anemic too, of course. Even with those ridiculously heavy periods, though, I still had very little pain. It was just disabling because I couldn't leave the house for a couple of days every month so I could have constant access to the bathroom! It turned out that I had a fibroid tumor, so I ended up having a hysterectomy when I was 44. At the time it seemed like a terrible thing to have to do, but in retrospect, I shouldn't even have waited as long as I did to do something about the situation.
Sheesh, I didn't mean to write a book! Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane. I hope your story has a happy ending!