[Kate*]

As long as you have some pads or tampons you don't have to tell her right away if you don't want to, but trust me this isn't that big a deal. It's not like she isn't expecting it and almost every girl will get theirs at some point, it's nothing to be embarrassed about.

I got mine out of the blue while I was with my DAD!! Now that's awkward I hid it for 2 days and told my mom when I got home (I WOULD NOT do that), but he did freak out when I eventually told him.

Just ask your mom not to tell people if you don't want everyone knowing, but there's no guarantee that she won't, you can't really control that. It shouldn't interfere with PE unless your cramps are really bad, but they can be controlled and they usually only last a few days.