I loved Taking Charge of Your Fertility and wondered why we don’t learn this information as teens?  It would be so empowering to understand your body when you are younger. If women knew this sooner, would they be more empowered as birthing women too???

So when I saw Toni Weschler had written a book for teens called Cycle Savvy, I had to buy it so I could read it and review it.

Sex Stuff

I like that it starts with a “note to moms” – which explains that this book is not meant to teach girls to avoid or get pregnant (which is one of the main points of Taking Charge of Your Fertility)  She also says that she does talk about sex and birth control in the book.  That it is the “birds and the bees in appropriate context”.  I will admit that this partly made me nervous, but I was also glad she was letting us moms know ahead of time.

I am fairly conservative.  I waited to have sex until I was married.  I teach my boys that sex is a gift that should be saved for marriage.  However I realize that most kids today are not going to wait til marriage to have sex and they need to have a balanced education about this.

 

My boys are still young, but I guess I should make sure T1 (age 13) knows about condoms – though I hope he won’t need them anytime soon.  He won’t even talk to girls at this point.

 

But I am aware and agree sex is something that kids should know the FACTS about.  Whether as their parents we want them having sex or not is irrelevant, because they will be exposed to it sooner rather than later.

I say all this to preface how I felt about how she handled the issue.  I thought it was handled as well as it possibly could be.

 

It isn’t talked about at all til chapter 6 and the main point of everything she shares is that as a girl you should empower yourself.  Ask questions, make the best choice for YOU.  She talks about how girls have a lot more than boys to lose regarding sex.  There is also a section in the appendix about birth control.  Going over the pros and cons of each.  Basically emphasizing if you are not in a monogomous relationship with someone you know for certain doesn’t have a STI, then condoms are essential.

I sort of wish there was a version of this book without any sex information, because there may be some moms who would oppose it.  I think though that most moms would be fine with how it is presented.  However  you should definitely read it before letting your daughters read it to be sure you are comfortable with how it is presented.

Cycle Stuff

The main point of the book is cycles.  Sorry for the sex distraction.  🙂

I loved how the book teaches the girls in easy to understand ways how bodies work.  There are quizzes at the end of each chapter to make sure she understands.

It was very simple and I actually figured out a question I had come up with during my first full month of charting my temps and cervical fluid.  So I almost preferred the simple way she explained things.  The TCOYF can be a bit overwhelming at first.  (It has way more information and applications, so it makes sense why.)

Cycle Savvy is all about a girl learning to understand and appreciate her body.  Which I think is SO important!  Girls should realize how amazing their bodies are.

I am 40 and just learned about my cervical fluid.  That would have been great to know as a teenager or 20 year old.

Here are just some of the topics covered

• hormones
• your awesome body
• two fertility signs
• how to chart
• benefits of charting
• growing your power and confidence

My Final Review

If I had a teenage girl I would give her this book.

I will be telling my friends about it and that the should get it and read it for themselves (I guarantee they will learn cool things about their bodies) and then give it to their girls.

I think the information in it will empower teenage girls to understand and appreciate their body.  I think that in turn they will be more empowered as women and as they become mothers.