Q&A for How to Prepare an Emergency School Kit for Girls

Ask the nurse if you can speak to her privately when she gets a moment. Chances are, she'll know what you're there for.

Nobody else should go through your personal things! If someone does that, that's an invasion of your privacy, and you should report it to a teacher.

They are a feminine hygiene product designed to fit securely inside your vagina to absorb menstrual fluid. When worn properly, you typically can't feel that they're there.

Take the bag with your emergency kit to the bathroom with you. Then, you can discreetly put on your deodorant, put it back into your bag, and put the bag back in your locker without anyone knowing.

Girls often take their bags with them to the restroom. Also, chances are that people aren't paying as much attention to what you're doing as you might think!

For a preschool kit, focus on first aid supplies, such as bandaids, alcohol wipes, and antibiotic ointment. You can also include a change of underwear and pants in case of potty accidents. Wet wipes and a hairbrush can also be helpful.

Your locker is a great place to keep your emergency kit. You can also store a change of clothes in your locker, along with your books and other school supplies.

It’s a good idea to have hygiene basics, like hand sanitizer, flushable wipes, and a toothbrush, as well as some first aid supplies, like bandaids and alcohol wipes. Many girls start their periods in middle school, so keep a couple of pads, tampons, and even a change of underwear on hand just in case.

Don't be embarrassed. Every girl has her period and needs to use feminine products. What is happening to your body every month is normal and nothing to be ashamed of!

Put some toilet paper in your panties. You can go to the nurse for pads, or you can ask a female teacher of friend. Every girl has had her first period. Go up to your female teacher and say, "I just started my period, and it's my first time. Do you know where I could find some pads?" Even though you may feel like crawling into a hole, you must know that she will probably think of her first time and sympathize.

Don't be embarrassed. I know that's easier said than done, but honestly, it's a natural process, and they will understand that you just want to be prepared. Next time you're at the store with a parent, just casually ask if you can get some. This way it won't be a long, involved conversation.

If there's anything on this list you really don't think you'll use, then don't bring it. This list contains the most common things girls carry, but that doesn't mean everyone does. If you don't wear makeup, then you don't have to bring it.

Keep your makeup in smaller (ideally Ziploc) bags inside the bigger bag. That way, if the makeup opens, it should only make a mess inside the Ziploc and not all over everything else.

Talk to the school nurse about a possible exception for your meds. If this is not allowed, you will have to work with your teachers and health department to determine the best place to put your medication.

Talk to your mom and ask for help. All you have to do is be honest and do as much as you can to work on it, too. Maybe your mom will even have some good tips and tricks for you.

It's up to you. If you only use one or the other, just keep whichever one you use. If you're comfortable using both, I would stick to tampons just because they're smaller so they take up less space. But it's your choice.

You can put your kit in your school bag, or if you have a desk with drawers, you can keep it in there.