Just Like Mom

When you were a little kid, you shared everything with your mom, you were just like mom. She knew what you did and what you thought from the moment you woke up to the moment you went to sleep. But lately, there's more stuff you want to keep private. You may have questions you feel she can't answer, and you may feel less just like mom than you were before. Then again, maybe you and your mom are closer than ever, and there's nothing you can't talk about.

Whatever your relationship is like, there's one thing for sure. You and your mom have a lot in common. Just being a female puts you in a special category with all other women.

When you have questions, you probably turn more to your friends and other great resources (like BeingGirl!) than to your mom. Here's a big secret: no matter how alike or different you are from each other, your mom was a girl once, too! You have questions just like mom. She went through what you're going through now.

This Mother's Day, you could do the usual cards, flowers, or breakfast in bed, but consider trying something new. Get in some mother-daughter bonding. Spend time together and you'll discover you have a lot more in common than you thought! You may not need your mom to pick out your clothes or wipe your nose anymore, but now she can be there for you in many new ways that are just as helpful.

Girl stuff: feminine products you and your mom have in common

Since Tampax tampons were introduced in 1936, chances are your mom and even your mom's mom heard about them, tried them, and may still use them today. Pads have been around since the beginning of last century (around 1900), so your mom and grandma knew about those too. Deodorant was invented in the late 1800s (thank goodness!), and guess what? Chances are your mom learned about it from her mom. In terms of getting rid of all that leg and armpit hair, Gillette invented the first razor created just for women in the early 1900s. When Gillette Daisy, the first disposable women's razor came out in 1975, your mom was introduced to a whole new way of taking it all off. What does this mean to you? Well, with all the same trusted brands and new and improved versions of these products, your mom is practically an expert on the topic of what to use and how to use it.

Hey, Mom! Let's talk.

Your mom may have decades of experience with the neat and not-so-neat joys of being a woman, but there's one area that may be new to her. Even if you're ready to talk to your mom about growing up, she may not know how to bring it up and talk about it with you. Well, now that you're becoming a woman just like mom, take charge of the situation and begin the conversation yourself! Not sure how? Here are some key conversation starters:

·         Mom, your legs look so nice and smooth. I think I'm ready to shave mine, too. Can you show me how?

·         How old were you when you first got your period?

·         Your deodorant smells nice. Can I get one for myself?

·         Can we go to the drugstore together? I'd like your advice on some girl stuff.

·         Mom, when you were in Junior High (or High School), did you ever feel out of place (or different, or however you're feeling now)?

Wondering when's a good time to start talking about being just like mom? Bring it up when you're in the middle of doing something together—in the car, out in the yard, walking around the mall, or washing dishes. Keep it casual, not too serious. Talking with your mom about growing up and becoming a woman can be comfortable and easy. You'll learn a lot and it'll bring you closer together. Then, the next time you talk with your friends, you'll have the real scoop to share.

Have a good conversation with your mom about being just like mom? Talk about it in the comments section below!