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Cycle Prep was proud to be a FINALIST in the 2021 OSV Innovation Challenge,
a competition which is designed to accelerate unique ideas from Catholics whose faith has motivated them to make a difference.


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Stay tuned for announcements about
​future *live* Cycle Prep options!

for girls ages 9-11 and their parents
​75 minutes + Q&A, hosted via Zoom


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CYCLE PREP introduces girls to menstrual cycles and periods in a positive, adult-supported environment through age-appropriate science and honest conversations about what to expect (or not expect!) as girls begin their cycles. 

This unique workshop covers: 
  • Female reproductive anatomy and function 
  • The function of basic reproductive hormones in the context of the menstrual cycle 
  • The function of the menstrual cycle as a means to eventually carry a baby AND as an indicator of overall health 
  • Criteria to help girls determine if their cycles fall into a healthy, normal range of presentation or if they should seek help from a trusted adult 
  • Personal care and hygiene around menstruation and throughout the cycle 
  • How to create a positive culture of girls supporting girls around menstruation 
Parents are welcome to attend without their child, but all girls should be accompanied by an adult.
ABOUT THE HOST:

Hello! My name is Christina Valenzuela and I have been a fertility and cycle educator since 2013.

But more importantly, I'm a mom.

So when it came time to talk with my girls about their cycles, I knew I wanted a program that would give them all the great science about cycles I teach to adults and I wanted to do so in a way that would help me keep the conversations going in the future— because my relationship with my daughters is one of the most important things in my life!

And I'm delighted that for the past THREE years, I've been able to bring that same program to parents just like you!
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Purchase now to join the *live* CYCLE PREP presentation, and you'll also receive *bonus* PDF resources delivered to your inbox

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For the parents-
  •  Talking to the Doc: a handy reference which can help you know whether your daughter's cycle is in a healthy and normal range, and how to talk to your doctor if anything seems "off."
  •  Book Recommendations: Still feeling like you want more? I've curated a list of my favorite books for keeping the conversations going on puberty, cycles, and talking about sex.
  •  A quick reference all about the hormones of the Kingdom. Don't worry about remembering all of it- you can use this guide to refresh your memory on hormones and their function at any time!
For your daughter-
  •  A follow-along handout so she can label anatomy, take notes about what a healthy cycle includes, and even think about the hygiene products she's interested in trying!
  •  A printable booklet to serve as your daughter's very own "Culture of Care" manual!

Gone are the days of awkward presentations where girls only learn about pads, tampons, and pregnancy prevention (and good riddance!)

Today's world requires parents to step up and fill this vital educational role, instilling in their daughters RESPECT for the good and natural function of our female bodies!

Girls deserve a COMPREHENSIVE but AGE-APPROPRIATE education, not just about periods, but about the whole menstrual cycle as a VITAL SIGN OF HEALTH.

Our daughters deserve to know:
  • how various hormones interact
  • what changes to expect throughout your different cycle phases
  • why we have period bleeds and what they consist of
  • how to know if your cycles and bleeds were "normal"... and what to do if they weren't.

...And all families deserve to learn this in a way which keeps your parent-daughter relationship at the center of the conversation. 

What makes Cycle Prep unique?

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Parents
Cycle Prep programs respect the role of parents as primary educators, by including them in the presentation time and inviting conversations among families. Because each family's timeline and situation is unique, Cycle Prep only covers cycle and period information,
​not comprehensive puberty or sex-ed.

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Pediatricians
Cycle Prep is the preferred cycle education program for MyCatholicDoctor and has been reviewed and endorsed by pediatricians! 
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The Culture of Care
Cycle Prep reinforces the idea that cycles and periods are a good, healthy, and normal way for girls' bodies to function. It teaches girls how to respect the needs of their bodies  and commissions all of us to create a culture of care which respects ALL women and girls surrounding cycles!
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Storytelling
Cycle Prep uses a unique analogy of "The Kingdom" to help girls learn how to tell the story of the menstrual cycle. They learn about  four key hormones (estrogen, FSH, LH and progesterone) in a way that makes the complex science accessible, and gives them the context to understand what happens with a period and why. 

Praise for Cycle Prep:
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Christina's Cycle Prep workshop is a wonderful resource to guide parents' discussion of puberty with their daughters... Girls who complete the workshop will feel prepared: they will understand the anatomy, be equipped with practical tips, and respect the meaning behind a woman's cycle. - Dr. Andrea Patrico, pediatrician and mom
CYCLE PREP is an incredible gift to moms who desire open and clear discussion with their tweens regarding the specifics of female fertility and their changing bodies. Christina explains the monthly cycle in a way that inspires awe for the beauty of the female body. I've been an avid fan of NFP for years and even I learned something! I am so thankful for such an amazing resource! - Katie Hartfiel, author Woman in Love
The Culture of Care left such a great impression. So interesting between how to strike a balance between awe and wonder of the amazingness of the female body and at the same time matter-of-factness and forthrightness about periods, preparedness, and practical matters. - Lauren, parent attendee​
I loved the combination of a tale and proper medical terms for anatomy, hormones etc. Also positive body image (e.g. you body is normal within this range, your body knows what's right for you, listen to your body etc.)” - Lidiya, parent attendee

I think one of the most helpful things is learning what's ordinary and what's not; that way you know when everything's fine. - 10-year-old attendee
I liked learning how to tell when you are about to get the period, and also the kingdom analogy because it helped me to understand the hormones involved. - 12-year-old attendee

FAQs

Is this program religious? 
Cycle Prep itself is not a religious program, though it is rooted in key concepts like respect for the design of our bodies. If you would like to include explicitly religious components with your children, you are welcome to show the Catholic Connections videos either before or after attending Cycle Prep, which explain what Catholics believe about the goodness of our bodies and give an introduction to the concept of the Language of the Body as it relates to body literacy for girls.

Can I get a recording of this program? 
Out of respect for the privacy of all attendees, I will promise to NEVER record my live programs which are attended by minors. If you are unable to attend this live workshop, you are welcome to simply purchase the self-paced, pre-recorded version of this course.

Is this course medically accurate? 
Every effort has been made to ensure the medical and scientific accuracy of this information, including consultation with numerous pediatricians who have viewed and approved this course. It has even been endorsed by My Catholic Doctor.

Does Cycle Prep include sex-ed? 
Nope! We do contextualize the menstrual cycle as a means to eventually carry a pregnancy, and briefly touch on the Equation of Life, which is egg (from the mother) + sperm (from the father) = baby. We do not go into any more details, because we want to focus primarily on cycles and periods. I defer to parents' discernment about how and when to discuss sex, but I also include some suggested resources in the parent download materials. 

Does this course teach cycle charting? 
This course is designed for girls prior to the start of their first menses, so it does not teach how to chart cycles. If you are interested in helping your daughter chart for health (not fertility or NFP), then please check out my 'Charting for Girls' Handbook and Video Course!

How long is this course? 
This course is a full 75 minutes (so bring some snacks, maybe!) plus opportunity for live Q&A if you'd like to stay longer. 

What's the best age for this course? 
This course is designed for girls aged 9-11, who have not yet started their periods, though girls who are younger or older are very welcome to attend! Parents and educators are also very welcome to attend on their own.

Copyright © 2020 by Pearl and Thistle, LLC
This page has no official status within the Order of Preachers. Content and opinions expressed belong to the author. 
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • About the Name
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Writing + Media
  • FOR PARENTS
  • FOR WOMEN
  • FOR COUPLES
    • Natural Family Planning
    • BCC Structure and Fees
    • Book with us
    • FAQs
    • NFP Ambassador Training
  • FOR ORGANIZATIONS
  • Blog