Hey! I'm Heidi.
I'm a home educator and fertility educator—but the most important title I hold is "Mom."
I’m blessed to have six daughters who call me that every day.
I know how overwhelming it can feel to prepare your child for puberty, especially if you weren't prepared yourself.
I entered adolescence with zero guidance, and I was determined to give my own daughters something better.
When my daughters and I experienced Cycle Prep together, it all clicked.
I knew I wanted to help other parents feel just as confident and supported—and I knew other moms could do it because we are our child’s first and most important teacher.
I teach the real, age-appropriate science behind periods and the menstrual cycle—clear facts, not fluff—so girls can understand, respect, and be in awe of how their bodies work.
I meet them right where they are, using honest and accurate language without oversimplifying or resorting to vague answers like, 'You'll just know.' Because confusion and fear aren't helpful—truth is.
Heidi Schaap
Owner of Small Things Fertility, and licensed Cycle Prep Provider
That’s why I’m thrilled to be a licensed Cycle Prep provider—offering engaging, age-appropriate, and faith-informed live workshops that take the guesswork out of the conversation.
Now offering in-person workshops across Ohio and surrounding states—and I’d love to bring one to your parish, school, or community group.
Do you wish you could...
talk to your daughter about periods without feeling nervous about
what to say?
prepare her for puberty positively without sugarcoating
the hard parts?
tell her about the hidden work her body does through a whole cycle, not just her period?
...your daughter isn’t going to magically wake up one morning knowing everything she needs to know about periods.
And even if she starts puberty a little bit later, she has friends who will be starting sooner.
If you don’t teach her, someone else will…and it's important for her to receive the strong, confident message
you want to give her of her body. It can feel awkward, especially if you didn't get that kind of education yourself,
but we don't want that fear to bleed down to our daughters.
It's hard, feeling like you may be disrupting her stage of "innocence," but...
As her primary educator, you know you're the best person to guide her through these important conversations, but you have so many questions...
➡️ When is the right time to start? (Hint: It's probably earlier than you think.)
➡️ How do I even start?
➡️ What should I say? (And what should I definitely NOT say?)
You know it's the first of many of these kinds of talks - and you want to get it right.
That’s why I present this workshop to you AND your daughter — together, you’ll learn the key language, tools, and confidence to keep the conversation going long after the workshop ends.
Because this isn’t just one talk.
It’s the start of a lifelong relationship built on trust, truth, and grace.
Remember your experience?
I know I remember mine.
Did you feel confident about the approaching changes to your body... or terrified because you had no clue what to expect?
Were you taught about the entirety of the menstrual cycle and the importance of ovulation... or just about periods?
And were you told why periods happen... or just that they were terrible and pain was inevitable?
Our experiences of puberty talks vary greatly, but one thing most parents have in common is that
we want the experience for our daughters to be BETTER.
Here's what "better" looks like:
✔︎ Confident, prepared preteens who actually understand what's going on in their bodies and why
✔︎ Moms and dads who have the tools they need to support their daughters on this journey
✔︎ A culture of girls-supporting-girls, not labeling this incredible function of female design as taboo or a "women's curse," but affirming one another in their dignity through thoughtful care
This is Cycle Prep.
A first period course that prepares her AND you for the start of menstrual cycles
with science, values, and the dignity of women in mind
Book your workshop!
Pearl & Thistle's award-winning first period prep course, Cycle Prep, is designed to be done with both girls and parents involved, so they can learn and have these conversations together.
But together also means community! One of the big aspects we discuss in Cycle Prep is creating a Culture of Care.
A great way to start girls-supporting-girls around menstruation is by setting the foundation through Cycle Prep as a group.
For groups like:
➤ Schools or parishes (as an opt-in program with
parents like a mother-daughter tea)
➤ Scouting groups, 4-H Clubs, or gatherings about body changes or self-care
➤ Faith Formation or Sunday School
➤ Homeschool co-ops
➤ A special gathering of friends,
in the comfort of your home!
Imagine your daughter...
-
Feeling confident in approaching her first period, knowing exactly what to expect and why
-
Knowing when things seem off and how to talk to the doctor
-
Seeing her period (and future fertility) not as a burden or something to just be dealt with, but actually as a beautiful part of God's design for her body
-
Having a supportive parent who is prepared, informed, and calm about her approaching menarche
Why Cycle Prep?
Provides actual insight into what goes on during a woman's menstrual cycle using "The Story of the Kingdom" analogy
Answers common questions about everything from picking period products to how much blood is lost
Most importantly, the program is parent-focused.
It’s designed for parents and daughters to learn together—so the conversation doesn’t end when the workshop does,
but continues at home, where it matters most.
What can I expect?
The average workshop lasts around 90 minutes.
We will cover:
➤ Anatomy
➤ The Story of the Kingdom
➤ Ovulation
➤ Period Products
➤ Normal Period + Cycle Variations
➤ Cycle Timing
➤ Creating a Culture of Care
➤ How to Pack a Period Kit
➤ FAQs
The Host will receive:
➤ Marketing Materials:
e.g. flyers and social media templates
to spread the word.
Each family will receive:
➤ A 20-page Family Workbook and Discussion Guide
➤ A Period Kit Checklist
➤ Book Recommendation for Parents
➤ Parent Guide: Talking with a Pediatrician
Have more time? I can add workbook activities and craft time decorating and packing a period kit together!
Religious group? I am also able to add a short video segment with age-appropriate Theology of the Body instruction.
Schedule your live Cycle Prep workshop today!
Workshop pricing is family-based and designed to be affordable.
The base rate is approximately $100 + $25 per family + travel and accommodation expenses.
Discounted materials rates apply for additional daughters from the same family.
Please reach out for a personalized estimate based on your group size and location.
Also available by Pearl + Thistle:
CYCLE PREP: First Period Course for Girls (Self-Guided Video Series)
CYCLE PREP: GROUP VIEWING licenses to show the video program
Made in His Image: Pint-Sized TOB for Catholic Families
The Catholic Mom's Guide to First Period Prep
What Parents Should Know About (Pre)Teen Periods
Anatomy, Fertility, & Reproduction for Catholic Teens
Cycle Charting for Single Women
CYCLE PREP is a workshop developed
and copyrighted by Pearl & Thistle, LLC
