Begin talking about your daughter’s body as soon as she has questions. This will likely be as soon as she can talk. Have age-appropriate talks spaced out over your daughter’s life, instead of one, big “Period Talk.” You can talk to very young children about their body parts, and what various things are for. Provide more details as she gets older, always checking to make sure your daughter understands the information you’re giving her. Most girls get their period when they’re about 12 or 13, although some girls could get their period when they’re 9 or 10. Once your daughter hits these years, stock up on items for her kit. You don’t want to make a panicked, late-night pharmacy run with your daughter crying in the backseat. Avoid calling your period “the Curse,” or anything similarly terrifying. Your daughter should understand that this is something women experience naturally as they grow up. It’s an exciting sign that she’s growing up. Tell your daughter this definitely isn’t something she should be embarrassed about. Explain that all women and girls get their periods. In fact, because periods are part of becoming a mother, the survival of the human race depends on them! Your daughter will probably have lots of questions for you. Some you’ll know the answers for, and some you won’t. Keep up a comfortable and open tone during this chat, and make sure your daughter knows that no question is a bad one.  Common questions might include, “Why am I the first one of my friends to get my period,” “Can I still go swimming,” “How long does it last,” “Why does it happen,” or “Am I normal?” Tell your daughter when she’s asked a question you don’t have an answer for. Use this as a chance to look for good, reliable answers together. You can go online, search in a book, or call your daughter’s doctor. Don’t just hand your daughter a book or a link to a video and think you’re done. She might not read or watch whatever you give her, and then you’re leaving her totally unprepared. Explore this stuff together and make it part of an experience that you share with one another. Some good options for books include Lynda Madaras’s What’s Happening to My Body? and My Body, My Self for Girls by the same author. American Girl also has a line of books called The Care and Keeping of You with good information. Your daughter might want to hear all about your embarrassing period stories, as this could make her laugh and feel more comfortable. She may also think this is weird, so let her tell you what she needs from you. Not all parents have had periods, and that’s ok! If your daughter wants to talk to someone who’s had a period, and that person isn’t you, put her in touch with a friend, family member, or doctor. By doing this, you’re still giving your daughter the support she needs, and she’ll know it came from you.
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One-sentence summary -- Spread out talks about puberty over multiple years. Be prepared with the right supplies. Talk about periods as positive experiences. Answer your daughter’s questions directly and honestly. Read a book or watch a video together. Reassure your daughter with personal stories.


A frappe is a whipped, frozen coffee drink invented in Greece and made popular by Starbucks as a "Frappuccino." Simply toss your coffee in a blender with 6-8 large cubes of ice, 1/2 cup of milk, and blend until there are only small chips of ice left in the drink. Consider adding:  Chocolate syrup or cocoa powder. Caramel syrup. Vanilla or almond extract. Crushed cookies  Condensed or chocolate milk. Kahlua, brandy, or Irish Cream. You can add them before chilling your pot of cold-brew or right before serving. Spiced coffee goes well with 1/2 cup condensed or regular milk as well. Some suggestions include:  1-2 teaspoons of orange zest with 2-3 crushed pods of cardamon.  1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg.  1 tablespoon honey and 5-10 crushed, chopped mint leaves. Sprinkle of sea salt and 1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder. This dessert treat is a wonderfully sweet take on refreshing, cold coffee. Brew a pot of espresso. Place one scoop of ice cream at the bottom of a coffee cup and slowly pour the espresso over the top. Enjoy with a spoon.
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One-sentence summary -- Blend your coffee with ice for a quick frappe. Add spices to your iced coffee for a new flavor. Pour hot espresso over a scoop of ice cream for a delicious affogato.


Storage is a big factor when it comes to selecting patio furniture, especially if you live in an area where you can't keep furniture out year-round. Find furniture that's easily movable and will fit in your garage, storage shed, attic, or other area of your home. If you don't have a lot of storage space, invest in furniture that can be folded or taken apart easily. Oftentimes, patio furniture comes in sets. This can be cheaper than buying individual pieces. When looking for furniture, keep an eye peeled for patio furniture sold in sets.  For example, say you're looking for a dining room furniture for your patio to host outdoor dinner parties. Many stores sell dining room sets. You may be able to get the chairs and tables you need at a bundled price. Be willing to compromise a little on sets. If you find a set that's very cheap, it may be in your second choice color, style, or material. As long as the set still meets your needs otherwise, and is made of materials that work well given your climate and area, it may be worth it to save the money and go with your second choice. When choosing chairs, make sure you select chairs based on your needs. Lounge chairs will not go well if you want chairs to place around a dinner table. Stiff dining chairs won't work well if you're looking for a chair to relax in while reading outdoors. Many chairs also come in bundled packages with accessories, which can benefit you. If you're, say, looking for a relaxing outdoor lounge space, a chair that comes with an ottoman can be a nice touch. Dual-purpose pieces can save you money and space on your patio. Look for, say, an ottoman that can also be used as an extra chair. Select a side table roughly the same length and width as your dining room table. This way, you can use it to extend the table during gatherings.
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One-sentence summary --
Look for items you can easily store. See if you can find sets specific to your needs. Invest in the right types of chairs. Keep an eye out for dual-purpose pieces.