What is the Howami Parental Companion? The Howami Parental Companion is an AI-guided tool designed to help parents and carers understand and support their child’s menstrual cycle. It provides insights into the Inner Seasons model, hormonal changes, and emotional wellbeing to encourage mindful, empathetic conversations and improve communication. How does it work? The Parental Companion works within WhatsApp, offering a conversational experience similar to chatting with a knowledgeable guide. Powered by an AI model trained by our in-house experts, it provides personalised guidance, educational insights, and reflective questions tailored to help you better support your child. Is this different from the Howami App? Yes. The Howami Parental Companion is a standalone tool designed to provide immediate guidance and support for parents, while also helping us learn more about your needs. By using the Companion and completing short surveys, you contribute to improving menstrual health and awareness for families globally. What platforms is it available on? Currently, the Howami Parental Companion is available exclusively on WhatsApp via our website. How long can I use the Companion? You can use the Companion for as long as you like. However, we kindly ask you to complete two brief surveys to help us understand how to best support parents and carers. Can I use it even if my child doesn’t have regular cycles? Absolutely! The Parental Companion can help you better understand hormonal shifts, emotional patterns, and how to support your child’s wellbeing, regardless of regularity or cycle tracking. Does it respect my child’s privacy? Yes, privacy is central to the Companion’s design. It encourages you to focus on your own understanding and support, rather than tracking or intruding on your child’s personal experiences. It fosters mindful parenting while maintaining your child’s autonomy and trust. Is my data safe? Yes, your conversations are temporarily stored on a secure server to provide continuity across your interactions with the Companion. No identifying information is ever linked to your data, and all interactions with the AI model are transient—questions and answers are immediately forgotten. We will never sell or share data with third parties, though we may send occasional updates about related services. Your privacy and confidentiality are always respected.