The Passage to Menarche workshop series provides a space for girls to:

Learn information and facts about the stages of puberty and menstruation;
Learn emotional and physical self-care strategies for when it happens;
Build a peer support group with other girls and other mums;
Find space for mother-daughter connection and discussion around sensitive topics;
Celebrate and honour girls as they reach a key milestone in their development.

What is Menarche?
Menarche is the first occurrence of menstruation.

This workshop series aims to help girls prepare for the transition to womanhood, while nurturing the mother-daughter bond.

The workshop progresses through the following topics:

Day 1
Session 1 Why do girls bleed?
Introduction to hormones.

Session 2 Why do some girls develop earlier than others?
Developmental stages of puberty.
Day 2
Session 3 What’s it like when you get a period?
Overview of the menstrual cycle.

Session 4 My period connects me with nature.
Cycling with the moon; how moon cycles and menstrual cycles can affect your emotions.
Day 3
Session 5 What if I get my period?
Making a period pack, self care strategies AND Celebration!

Each session consists of:

Fun activities
Information and facts
Guided discussion
Circle sharing
Craft

Facilitator:
Cyena Caruana is a Mum, Homeopath and Naturopath who has completed facilitator training with Red Tent Australia.

Cyena has a double degree in Health Science and has extensive knowledge of the female reproductive system and women's health. She majored in Homeopathic management of women's reproductive pathology while studying with Endeavour College of Natural Health. As part of her practice as a Homeopath and Naturopath, Cyena consults with women and young girls to assist with hormone regulation, fertility, addressing reproductive pathology and supporting mental and emotional wellbeing, among other health issues.

Cyena has previously held a series of workshops and events for Samford Red Tent; including women’s circles, maiden circles, menstruation education workshops and Mother/Daughter events. Cyena has also undertaken the Rites of Passage training (Maiden-Crone) with Tanishka Moon Woman.

Cyena has a passion for creating sacred spaces for women to gather, and she believes in the importance of 'planting the seeds' for the next generation of emerging confident, empowered, and connected young women through self-enquiry, positive role-modelling and community.

Venue:
Soul Space, Newmarket.
Brisbane.

When:
Session dates for 2024:

Day 1
Easter school holidays
Thursday 11 April, 10am-12pm, 2-4pm

Day 2
Winter school holidays
Thursday 04 July, 10am-12pm, 2-4pm

Day 3
Spring school holidays
Thursday 19 September, 1-3.30pm

Who can attend?
This event is open to girls aged 10+.

It is at your discretion as to whether your daughter is ready for the content presented in this workshop or not. If your daughter is not showing physical signs of budding, it may be better to wait. However, if your daugher's peers are talking about periods and other puberty-related topics, it would still be a good time to give them the information in a safe and supported space where they can learn the facts together. The ideal age for this workshop series in most girls seems to be 11-12 years old.

This workshop is ideal for girls and their mothers. However, if another female guardian, aunty, grandmother, or friend is deemed more suited to accompany and participate, they are also welcome.

While we are transgender-friendly, much of the content of this workshop centres around the female reproductive system and fertility, and so it is up to your discretion as to whether a parent or guardian identifying as transgender is suited to accompany your daughter in the context of this workshop. Adult participants will be invited to share about their female experience of puberty and menstruation at different stages of the workshop. Please contact Cyena to discuss if uncertain.

What age should my daughter be to participate?
These workshops are open to girls aged 10+.
Generally, if the breast buds are beginning to form, that is a good indicator of readiness.

What if I can't attend one of the sessions?
A take-home activity pack will be provided so that you can work through the key information which was covered during the session, along with materials for any craft activities missed during the session.

Girls who were not able to complete the series last year are welcome to re-enroll.

Mum's say:

"I feel it was valuable to both of us, it was special to have this time with her before her cycle starts to show that we all go through this crazy beautiful process and all the different approaches to it. It felt liberating to be able to have such an open discussion with so many lovely ladies and girls and I hope she has left feeling prepared for what is to come."

"It provided a safe, connected and supportive way to discuss and familiarize ourselves with the female body and the changes we experience and to share that knowledge, insight and creativity with our daughters in a loving and accepting way."

“It was nice to de-stigmatize these topics."

"She thoroughly enjoyed every session! She liked hearing and learning about herself and what she is likely to/currently is experiencing in her female body. She loved the openness, games and activities and of course the food!"

COST & TICKETING
The total cost of the workshop series is $415; this includes 5 workshop sessions over 3 separate days per mother/daughter pair, and all materials.

Only one ticket per mother/daughter pair is required.

COVID
If for unforseen circumstances the workshop cannot take place on the scheduled date, the workshop date will be rescheduled.