Parenting teens, especially puberty support, is kind of like trying to pack a carry-on for a three-week trip, no one tells you exactly what you’ll need, and you will overthink everything.
And if you’re a parent of a daughter on the cusp of puberty, chances are you’re juggling Google searches like “first period tips,” “what age is normal,” and “how do I talk to her without making it weird?”, all while trying to make it through the day. Because suddenly, she’s slamming doors, listening to breakup songs she’s never lived through, and asking what a menstrual cup is.
Puberty has entered the group chat. And as much as it feels like someone hit fast-forward, this is your cue: your teen is heading into her first period era, and she needs you more than ever, even if she pretends she doesn’t.
So this Parents’ Day, we’re keeping it real. Here are 8 nuanced, no-fluff ways to offer genuine puberty support, without overstepping, overexplaining, or making it weird.
1. Create a No-Shame Zone (Literally Ban the Word “Gross”)
The way you react to her period writes the script for how she’ll think about her body. If you flinch, whisper, or use words like “dirty,” “weird,” or “gross,” she’ll absorb that shame like a sponge.
Instead, talk about periods like they’re normal. Because they are. Keep period products out in the open. Make jokes. Say the word “vagina” like it’s not contraband. The more casual you are, the more confident she gets.
This is menstrual care that starts with language, not just liners.
Respond like it’s not a big deal, even though it is. A calm “Cool, do you need anything right now?” goes a lot further than “OMG you’re a woman now!”
In puberty support, less drama = more safety.
2. Don’t Try to Fix Her Feelings (Seriously, Just Don’t)
One of the biggest mistakes parents make with their teens? Trying to fix their discomfort instead of validating it.
If she’s crying over a C+ or snapping at the dog, resist the urge to lecture or minimize. Instead, say: “Hormones are wild, huh? It’s okay to feel all over the place.” Normalize the emotional chaos without dismissing it.
That’s not just good teen health guidance, that’s emotional fluency. That’s raising a girl who knows her feelings aren’t flaws.
3. Leave Her Alone (But Make Sure She Knows You’re There)
There will be days when she just. wants. space. Respect it.
Don’t hover. Don’t ask if she’s “on her period” like it’s a mood diagnosis. But leave the heating pad on her bed. Slide some chocolate into her backpack. Let her know her body is her business, but you’re nearby if she needs backup.
Puberty support often looks like absence with intention.
4. Tell Her the Messy Stuff You Wish Someone Had Told You
You know what we never got? The real talk. The “sometimes your tampon just… doesn’t go in right” talk. Or “you might cry because a banana looks too yellow” talk.
Be that person. Share the stories. The stain disasters. The hormonal spirals. Not to scare her, but to make her laugh, relate, and understand that imperfection is part of the deal.
Then ease into the practical side. Talk about what can help prevent leaks, like pads with wings, and higher absorbency. This is your chance to introduce her to stuff good for her, like Nua pads. Something with comfort, coverage, and ingredients that are safe for her skin.
Dads, tell her about the first time you learnt about periods. This is how we break the generational silence around menstrual care, one awkward story at a time.
5. Talk About Cramps (Don’t Just Focus on the Bleeding)
You’ve covered the bleeding, the products, the mood swings, but don’t gloss over the cramps. It’s a big part of the period experience. Introduce her to heat patches like Nua’s Cramp Comfort Patches. They’re easy to use, stick directly onto her underwear, and start working within minutes. You can even order a pack on the spot through a quick commerce app.
While you wait, explain the basics: cramps happen because the uterus is contracting to shed its lining, and heat helps relax those muscles.
A simple explanation like this helps her understand what’s happening in her body and reassures her that it’s something she can manage.
6. Pass Down the Family Fixes
Share a few home remedies that have worked in your family, like ajwain water, haldi doodh, or a cup of warm green tea. Not as a cure, but as comfort. Maybe even joke about passing down your “secret recipe” like it’s a family treasure.
If there’s a nostalgic story behind it, share it. What helped you during rough cramps, or even what helped Dad cure his cramps after a long cricket match. It’s not about being clinical, it’s about creating a sense of familiarity.
Then, just let her rest. Heat patch on, warm drink in hand, and your comfort show back on.
7. Start a Feel-Good Tradition
Maybe it’s ice cream from your favourite place, a bowl of Maggi, Nutella toast, or warm suji halwa, anything that feels cosy.
Call it your new period tradition. Something that makes this time of the month feel a little softer.
You can even explain the “why” behind it. As per research, comfort foods can trigger a boost in serotonin, the feel-good hormone, and help lift the mood. Reassure her that periods often come with food cravings and that’s not something to feel guilty about. It’s fuel, it’s comfort, and in moments like these, it’s okay to eat and not fixate on a diet.
This is also a good time to remind her that periods don’t have to stop her from doing what she enjoys. Suggest a short walk, some stretches, or a quick game of a sport she loves, something just for fun. Not for exercise, not for goals. Just to show her that her body is still hers.
Reinforce that she doesn’t have to skip sports or class trips or dance lessons. If she feels up to it, she can do everything she normally enjoys.
8. Build Her a Tiny Period Kit
One of the simplest ways to help her feel ready, anytime, anywhere, is to build a small period kit she can carry with her, just like a wallet. Sit down and put one together. It’s a small but meaningful project that can help her feel prepared, not anxious. You can include:
- 2-3 Nua pads
- Fresh underwear
- Intimate Wipes
- Hand sanitiser
- Heat patches
- Maybe even a tiny note from you
If putting it all together feels like too much, you can always start her off with a ready-made option like Nua’s Period Starter Kit, which has all the essentials packed into one easy, cute pouch.
Parents, Talk to Each Other
While you’re supporting her, don’t forget to check in with each other, too. This can be a new and emotional phase for parents as well. Talk about what you’ve noticed. What’s working, what isn’t.
Dads, ask the questions you’ve been unsure about. You don’t have to know everything to show up. Your support matters just as much. If you’re not sure where to begin, we’ve got something just for you here.
Moms, share your experience, your stories, your tips. And make space to laugh about the awkward bits, together.
You’ve Got This and So Does She
You don’t need to get everything right. Just being there through the mood swings, the quiet moments, the laughs, and the tears is more than enough. Your support is her first safety net. And that matters more than anything.
Need help starting the conversation? Here’s the talk made simple for you. Or have a tip that helped you? Share it in the comments to support other parents, too.
