Coming of Age Baskets

[Nappykat]

Recently my 11. 5 year just started her period. I would like to create a basket for her to give as a gift as we will celebrate this coming of age milestone.

and yes, it may be a little late but I still need to create a basket for my other daugher and one for my son too.

So what are some ideas to put into COA baskets?

Some ideas I got are

GIRLS
favorite parfume
personal hair trimmers (for underarms and private area - if they wish to do that, Im not encouraging)
pads (not partial to tampons, so they will not be included)
calendar
journal
stuffed animal
Book on menstruation, the moon, and puberty
general book to read
toiletries (powder, sham and condish, body wash, jojoba body oil, etc)


BOYS
favorite cologne
personal hair trimmers (for underarms and private area - if they wish to do that, Im not encouraging)
safety or real shavers
journal
stuffed animal
Book on puberty
general book to read
toiletries (powder, sham and condish, body wash, jojoba body oil, etc)

Some other ideas would be appreciated.

[Nicholle]

Nappykat,

This would be a good time to get them started in their own financial legacy. Maybe open a savings account in their name or get them a savings bond.

Maybe a book about self presentation/interacting in the adult world or a Life Skills book. (there are several good ones that cover everything from decorating a home to purchasing a car in one book- I know its early, but its good to get them thinking about it and prepared, so the real world is not a surprise)

A manicure/pedicure set is always nice. You can get the set and print off the instructions for how to do the mani/pedi off the internet on a nicely decorated card or sheet of stationery.

Some college catalogs/career guides (again, never to early to start thinking about the future)

A gift certificate to their favorite store/restaurant

Something related to their hobby- (ex. if your son likes to skateboard maybe a new helment or if your daughter likes to craft, maybe a new supply box)

A fancy pen to go with the journal

A letter from you on how you feel about them/being their mom

A book that reflects your spiritual tradition or the tradition that you have raised them in.

A nice set of pajamas/robe

A framed photo of the two of you together.

Hope this helps!
I think it is a great idea, and I will be doing it for my sons- what age are you going to provide your son with his? I am going to ask the men in my family to write in an advice book for my son. I am going to get a nice leather bound journal, divide it up into different topics - Life/Work/Politics/Family/Health and just pass it around from month to month to my male friends and family members and ask them to write in the sections that they feel they have something to offer, and put that in his basket.

Congratulations to your daughter!

Nicholle

[Nappykat]

Thank you Nicholle, this was all very helpful and you gave me some great ideas.

I'm late with my son - he's 17 but I'm going to give him one anyway.

I would have liked to have started when had his first wet dream, but unlike periods - we never really have a way of know when that happens.

I think for me, 11 would have been good. When he had a physical at age 11, I learned that he was either in the 3rd or 4th stage of a 5-stage puberty - in short I was informed that my 11 year son could probably father babies! (that was weird. I felt like I walked into the clinic with a 'baby' and walked out with a half-grown man!)

But since boys have no 'definitive' onset of puberty like girls, I'd say the general age of 12 or 13 would be good.

[Single Mama Diva]

I am noticing that our kids seem to be around the same age. Your son is just a year older than mine, but it's never too late to give him that coming of age basket.

[Single Mama Diva]

Nicholle I love the idea of having the men in your life and family write something, because I have noticed that boys really begin to value the opinions of other men when they get a certain age.