Let’s talk about Periods

WHY ONE LOCAL MUM IS CHANGING THE CONVERSATION

Most parents want to do better than their own childhood experience when it comes to talking to their daughters about periods. The problem is, wanting to isn't always the same as knowing how. That's exactly the gap that Susie Gow, Northern Rivers mum and founder of House of 13 Moons, is stepping into.

Susie facilitates First Moon Circles for girls aged 9–12 and their mothers or female caregivers across the Northern Rivers and Tweed region, including Tweed Heads, Kingscliff and Murwillumbah. These aren't your standard puberty talks. They're thoughtfully designed half-day experiences that blend medically accurate education with creativity, reflection and a gentle sense of ritual, creating a beautiful rite of passage for the next generation.

The format is intentional. The first half of the circle is a girls-only space, giving participants room to learn, ask questions and settle into the experience at their own pace. The second half brings mothers and caregivers in, creating a shared moment that Susie describes as one of the most powerful parts of the day. Girls leave understanding that menstruation isn't something they'll face alone — it's something that connects them to a wider community of women across generations.

What girls actually learn is thorough: the full menstrual cycle (not just the bleed), the physical and emotional changes of puberty, how to read their body's signals, and language to keep conversations going at home. Every participant takes home a menstrual education booklet, a craft keepsake they've made during the circle, and a small gift bag. Groups are kept intentionally small — just six to eight girls — so that every child feels seen and supported rather than lost in a crowd.

Susie herself grew up without these conversations, and it's that personal experience that drives her work. As a trained First Moon Circle Facilitator, breathwork facilitator, NLP practitioner and women's empowerment coach, she brings both professional expertise and genuine warmth to every circle she holds.

Perhaps most importantly, First Moon Circles meet girls where they are. You don't need to have started your period to attend — in fact, most participants haven't yet. The circle is designed to prepare girls before that moment arrives, so when it does, they're ready.

For families in the Northern Rivers looking for a beautiful, grounded way to approach this milestone together, House of 13 Moons offers something remarkable.

Find upcoming circles and join the waitlist at houseof13moons.com