Kotex has created a new line of maxi pads and liners called U by Kotex Tween, aimed at 8- to 12-year-olds. And while targeting such a young market might shock you, Kotex isn’t crazy; the company is just responding to new research indicating this product might be, in fact, necessary. After all, girls are getting their periods younger and younger—in America 15% reach puberty by age 7.
It’s true! I see girls who are 11 that are bigger, and more curvaceous than me! Do you think these new pads are a smart idea? Read more below.
MDLS РU by Kotex Tween pads are 18% shorter and narrower than regular Kotex pads, come in glittery boxes, and feature stars and heart d̩cor. A site for the mini-maxis, Kotex.com/tween, urges moms to pick a date soon to have the talk with their young daughters, and of course to buy U by Kotex Tween. Another area of the site, UbyKotex.com/HelloPeriod, lets visitors share their first period stories. (And if any of these stories are like mine, the sub-site will be an embarrassing, uncomfortable, sad, and overly-dramatic read.)
I actually was pretty upset when I got my first period, and I’m not sure hearts and stars would have helped. But I wouldn’t mind having hearts and stars on my maxi pads now. Why do 8-year-olds get to have all the fun?
Have you had the period talk with your young daughters? Would you buy these products for your tween?
