I still have not got it and my mom said start getting ready what do I do also can you swim on your period?

You can get ready by packing a small period kit for your bag, and yes, you can totally swim on your period.

Getting ready before your first period actually arrives is super smart because it takes away the stress of being caught by surprise. You do not need to carry a whole pharmacy around with you. Just grab a cute little pouch and toss in a couple of pads, a clean pair of underwear, and a small plastic bag in case you need to wrap up dirty clothes. Keep it in your school backpack or sports bag so you know it is always there.

For swimming, you can, and taking it easy when you don't feel well is fine. If cramps are bad enough to stop you, tell a grown-up so a doctor can check: that's not something to push through. For swimming, period swimwear works without putting anything inside you. A tampon or cup works too, and if you ever want to try one, ask a grown-up to go through it with you first, including how long it can stay in and the warning signs to watch for.

A first period can come anywhere from about 9 to 15, sometimes later, and the average is around 12. Signs it may be getting closer include breasts starting to grow, which is usually the first sign (the period often comes about 2 years later, and that varies a lot); pubic and underarm hair, usually soon after, though hair first is normal too; a growth spurt (the period often comes about a year after the fastest growing, and that varies a lot too); and clear, white or off-white discharge, which can start some months before a first period, and it can look a bit yellow once it dries on your underwear. Tell a grown-up if it comes out a different colour (like deep yellow, green or grey), smells strong or bad, changes texture, suddenly gets much heavier, or comes with itching, soreness, pain when peeing or tummy pain. A period before 9 (or any bleeding or pink or brown spotting before 9), no period by 15, or no breast growth or other puberty signs by 13 means telling a grown-up so a doctor can check.

If you want to see roughly where you are with body signs, there is a quiz on this site: how close is my first period?