We’re doing something fun this week: a whole package dedicated to that most intense of eras: the tween & teen years. And because this is Scary Mommy and we are not afraid to get right into it, we are jumping straight into the deep end and talking about periods. Specifically: how the heck are we cleaning these period panties? “You're a creature of habit, after all, and the idea of adding to your already complicated laundry routine is just too overwhelming to consider,” writes Deirdre Kaye. Well, she’s got the info you need!

— Kelly Faircloth, Executive Editor

While we’re on the topic of periods: “The truth is a period can start anywhere between ages 8 and 16, and, according to the NHS, the average kiddo is just 12 years old when their period starts,” writes Deirdre Kaye. So let’s talk about the signs that it's coming soon.