Both my girls had their first period with me. Alone. Single dad. Awkward. If there was a mom around, I would have headed for the gym. But I’m glad I didn’t. I learned a lot about what it’s like to be a woman in the world by being there for them when this started.

 

We were at Wind River Ranch, a Christian dude ranch we go to every summer. My daughter was thirteen. I heard her crying from her bathroom, saying she was bleeding. It didn’t take long to figure out what was going on. I went and found moms at the ranch, and they took care of her all week. What a blessing. Good, loving women surrounded and cared for her all week.

 

When we got home, I went to the store, the feminine section. A complicated, expensive section: super, slim, maxi, super-duper maxi. Dear Lord. I asked a mom for help.

 

When I got home and was walking up to the door, Elizabeth saw me and asked what I had. I told her. I told her I knew two moms who could come by to help her. She walked to me, put her arms around me, and started crying. “You don’t think I’m gross and you still love me,” she sobbed.

 

It was one of the most humbling moments of my life as a dad and as a man.

 

Dad, she knows you know, and you are the last person she wants to talk to about it. You will have to go to her and in some moment of life, let her know, in your own words, that you understand how important, difficult, and life changing this is. And if you don't know, and most of us men really don't know, get educated. Do some research. Talk to you wife. Ask her what's it's like to be a woman and go through this, every single month. Ask her what it was like the first time she had her period. Ask her what her dad did, or what she wished he had. 

 

Now I know more than I EVER wanted to know about periods. I've had many calls from the nurse's office at school, sometimes in tears because there's been an accident. Feel blessed if she trusts you with this call. You only need to say two things: "I'll be right there" (meaning stop what you are doing and be right there), and "What do you want me to bring". 

 

I'm glad I got the opportunity to be there for Elizabeth and Rachel in this way, even though I admit it was forced on me. You should volunteer. It seems a shame that I waited so many years to understand what this part of a woman's life is like, and it's made me appreciate women and my daughters even more. Be part of the change, bring it into the open and celebrate it with her and love her through it. The love never stops, and she will never forget it. 

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