Every girl has had a period emergency in her life. Often, more than one.
These range from realizing you forgot to replace the emergency tampon you keep in your purse at the exact time you need it most, to sacrificing your favorite white pants to the trash can gods because nothing is getting those stains out.
By the time you've matured enough to know how to deal with emergencies calmly and with much less embarrassment, your period has often become like clockwork.
That's not an exaggeration. For a while, I knew that on the second day after finishing a package of birth control pills, I should slip a tampon into my pocket before the standard 10am, I-drank-three-cups-of-coffee pee break.
Just had one two weeks ago? Too bad, here's another! Starting to get worried as the time between them stretches into eternity? It'll start on prom night and you'll be too bloated to fit your dress.
Are you sick? Could the sudden increase in periods be some sign that death is imminent?
Or maybe you're pregnant, and if you're still a virgin, what the heck is going on?!
You end up wearing dark jeans religiously because the heavy fabric may slow down the moisture as it soaks through and the color means that any stains may not be as visible.
I have very clear memories of a time involving white jeans and sitting cross-legged on the floor during a group project in school. I was eleven.
It's far more likely that someone will point and announce to the room that you have a stain on your pants, resulting in rounds of laughter.
Often, it's the girls who are the worst offenders, even though they should empathize.
The story starts with the words, "My daughter started her period on the bus ride home today..." which caused my chest to tighten up with sympathy anxiety.
Add extra shame and embarrassment if you don't actually realize the stain is there until they're all pointing and laughing.
He quietly took her aside, letting her know about her pants and offering his own sweater to tie around her waist. When she tried to refuse he insisted and explained that he has sisters.
As for why she wanted to share the story, the mom said:
We hear so many bad things about today's youth, and I wanted to share something positive!
It's all part of easing the stigma against menstruation and teaching girls not to be ashamed of something they can't control. Those accidents happen and it's embarrassing enough without being laughed at.
