Is talking about periods on live radio TMI? Not if you tune into the Hit Network’s Carrie & Tommy.
In a candid on-air chat, co-hosts Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little discussed if talking to children as young as eight about menstrual cycles would be too much, too soon.
The radio duo argued that eight was not too young for parents to open the lines of communication with their children, whether girls or boys, because kids need to know about their bodies from a young age. However, it seems not everyone feels that way.
“Someone else has called up and said that not everyone discusses this with their kids as if it’s not actually something we should be discussing,” Bickmore said on air.
“I find that really interesting. I can see why you wouldn’t.”
A caller with opposing views was then put through to the duo to explain why they thought talking about menstrual cycles on the airwaves was not ideal.
“At eight years old, do you think that they should be discussing that?” the caller asked Bickmore and Little, with the caller saying her kids “learn about their bodies” but not periods until they reach “between 10 and 12”.
“You just said that you discuss everything with your kids,” she quizzed Bickmore. “You could discuss threesomes with your kids, doesn’t mean everybody has to.”
Little didn’t see what the big deal was as having periods was a “bodily function like peeing or weeing”, and he found the caller’s threesome comment amusing.
“A period is not a sexual thing,” he laughed. “You linking it to a threesomes is the most wild stuff I’ve heard.”
When the caller was asked by the duo what made her so uncomfortable with the topic, she said it was her prerogative when she wanted to start that conversation with her children.
“How do you want me to discuss that? On a pick-up from school, on the way home?” she said. “I’ll discuss everything with them, but not through a radio station. I don’t think that’s your choice to announce it to other people’s children.”
After the tense exchange, another caller was put through who had the period talk with her daughter at 8, when she got her period.
The caller also revealed she got her period at that age and it was a terrifying experience as she “didn’t know anything”.
When she added that she was raised by a single father who didn’t discuss the topic with her beforehand, Little appeared visibly emotional as he held back tears.
“I was extremely scared,” the caller said as Little teared up. “My dad was a single father – he didn’t even know what to do.”
Bickmore argued that talking about menstrual cycles should be an open discussion at any age.
“I find it interesting the idea that there should be any shame around it the same way you teach your kids all the different bodily functions,” she said. “Because I think there’s a difference between talking about menstrual cycles in a sexual way and talking about it as a reproductive part of your body.”
This discourse has since opened up a debate on the show’s official Instagram account, with the majority of followers praising Bickmore and Little for being vulnerable and openly tackling this important issue.
“Love that you are talking about this. It’s totally normal!!!! Education is key!” one commented on the video posted to the platform.
“Talk about periods! Boys and girls both need to know,” another echoed.
“How ridiculous!!! Needs to be discussed by everyone!!! Education people!!” one commented.
“Why make it a secret … it’s not the olden days don’t make it taboo!” yet another wrote.
“It should never be a shameful topic,” agreed one follower.