First Moon Circle at The Urban Village Movement

Give your child a positive, empowered start to puberty and menstruation by bringing them to their once-in-a-lifetime special First Moon Circle experience.

Our next First Moon Circle on September 14th 2024 is for girls and their mothers and female caregivers to gather to learn and celebrate the changes that puberty brings. An empowering, fun, sacred and inclusive circle that goes way beyond schools basic, limited period education and focuses instead on cycle self-care and self love so children feel prepared, informed, confident and supported to experience puberty and their first periods.

This First Moon Circle is perfect for girls aged 9-12, whether she has started her period in the last 1-2 years, hasn't bled yet, or if any of her friends have. A First Moon Circle is the perfect opportunity to encourage children to feel informed, be confident, learn to be proud of their body and themselves, and have lots of tools for self-care and self-awareness as they move through puberty and beyond.

Your child will receive an amazing high-value gift bag and their own beaded bracelet that they'll make with you during the session to remind
her of what she learns. Plus she'll get to keep a 22-page booklet that explains all the knowledge and wisdom she'll need to support her through puberty and into adulthood. Mums, you'll probably learn something in this too. The final part of this session is a beautiful Mother-Daughter celebration where you can gift your child advice, wishes and show her you're supporting her as she grows up.

We start with a 2h experience just for the girls to come together, have fun, be silly, make new friends, and learn accurate information about what's happening to their physical body, as well as their emotional and spiritual selves as they approach and encounter menarche (the first period, or first moon).

During this time we'll talk about all the physical changes girls encounter, what's normal and not so normal, we'll talk self-care and hygiene, and how to handle surprise blood (because you just know they'll be at school or on camp when it arrives!). We'll also get hands on and playful with natural, healthy and organic sanitary items such as pads and liners, moon cups, tampons and period undies, helping girls get really comfortable with the products and relaxed about caring for themselves gently around their first moon time.

After the children's session, you, her Mother or caregiver are then invited to join us for a short afternoon tea to celebrate this beautiful rite of passage and to pave the way for you and your daughter be able to speak freely, comfortably and openly at home over the months to come.

We'll bead a bracelet to help the girls understand the concept of a monthly cycle, and to remind them of this day for years to come. I'll lead the girls on a gentle facilitated Q&A, before Mums/Nanas/Carers are invited to join us for a short celebratory afternoon tea to share what the girls have discovered, whilst the elders are invited to share positive guidance and beautiful wishes they have for the girls in their lifetime.

Each child will leave feeling more confident in their knowledge of what's to come, what the sanitary and self-care options open to them are based on their personal preference, and very importantly, an open channel to discuss periods and puberty (and who knows what else!) with their family afterwards. If friends attend together, then of course they gain the added benefit of sisterhood, having this shared experience to refer back to, and to share wisdom with their other
friends.

What's included?

• What puberty and periods are and what happens.
• What is healthy and normal, and when and how to ask for help.
• How to choose and use different menstrual products.
• What the menstrual cycle is vs a period, and how to navigate
  changing moods, energies, capacities, strengths and vulnerabilities
  in each phase.
• Menstrual cycle self-care,
• Mother-child blessing to support your relationship and period
  positivity at home.
• A take-home gift bag featuring her own 'moon kit' (a combination of
  sanitary samples, and beautiful self-care items to remind her of this
  special day),
• A 22 page keepsake colour illustrated guidebook written for children
  full of the wisdom and knowledge to remember what she's learnt to
  come back to again and again.
• Plus her own handmade beaded bracelet to remind her of the magic of her cycle and self-care.
  
  

Once you book your child to attend, I'll send you some information to
prepare you, the parent/caregiver, ahead of the day, as well as to help
you prepare your child for what to expect. I'll also share guidance with
you on how to prepare your positive guidance that you want to share
with your child on the day, which in turn will support you to keep this
open conversation going at home.