so, my mom bought me tampons...?!

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Whoa there, you do NOT have to use tampons to make your mom proud, it's actually pretty bad that your mom bought you tampons without bothering to explain how to use them given the health risks, particularly if you use them incorrectly. Don't just use them for her sake, it's your health!

If you REALLY want to use tampons, firstly some preporation;
Insert during your heaviest flow - never during very light flow.
Use lubrication - KY jelly or olive oil work fine.
Masturbate - to relax, lubricate, open and increase vaginal size.

Tampons to use; you need to use the lightest absorbency, ideally cotton as these are safer than chemically-treated rayon brands - if your mom got you then wrong tampons then no matter what you cannot use them, using the wrong type of tampon such as too high an absorbency would significantly increase your risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).

To use tampons first wash hands and get into a comfortable position, unwrap the tampon and get the string hanging down, hold the tampon in one hand while your other hand holds open your labia.

For non-applicator then insert as far as it'll go aiming towards the bottom of the back. For applicator insert the outer tube into the vagina as far as it'll go, then use index finger to push the inner tube all the way into the outer tube to push the tampon into the vagina, once in remove the applicator.

The most important thing is to relax, if you are tense your vaginal muscles will tense-up making insertion difficult, you'd essentially be forcing the tampon into the vaginal walls, where as if relaxed the vagina should allow the tampon to go in without too much discomfort.

It's normal for tampons to be uncomfortable or painful sometimes because tampons are dry and absorbent, where as the vagina is moist and delicate, so they do cause friction and splitting in the walls of the vagina, chemicals in commercial brands can also cause irritation. If it hurts when moving then it's not in far enough, remove and try again later with a fresh tampon.

Precautions with tampon use;
Alternate between tampons and pads, do not use overnight, during light flow days, or during a vaginal infection, also as tampons leak most women will use pads as back-up. To lessen your risk of TSS and vaginal infections it's important to stay hygienic by changing tampons every 4-6 hours, and always use lowest absorbency, changing as flow changes.

To remove pull sting gently but firmly, wrap up and bin - never flush!

If there are problems don't panic, just try again later or use something else. Tell your mom they're not for you and stick to pads or consider asking her for menstrual cups as they're much safer and more convenient than tampons.

If you don't feel comfortable using tampons tell your mom that and don't use them. Once you feel it's time to try one, heres what to do.
1. Wash your hands. Soap and water.
2. Sit on the toilet and take the smallest size tampon.
3. Open the tampon. Look at it. You should see a biggertube with a smaller tube after it. There should be ridges in between the two. This is where you hold the tampon with your thumb and middle finger.
4. Open your legs. Some girls stand with one foot on the toilet, or squat, but I find it much easier and more comfortable to just sit and seperate your legs.
5. Make sure you know where your vagina is, use a mirror if necessary. Some people will also lubricate the tampon, but I don't find it necessary.
6. Hold the tampon, and put the tip into your vagina. Push gently, aiming towards your lower back, until your fingers touch your body. But your index finger on the plunger(thinner tube) and push the plunger in.
7. Pull out both tubes and leave the string hanging. If everything went well, you shouldn't feel anything. If you do, it's probably not far enough and you should take it out and try again.
8. Put on a pantyliner to catch any extra blood.

Whenever you take out the tampon, it probably will hurt. But you have to suck it up and pull it out. Just relax and pull the string out diagonally away from your body. If it hurts, take a few breaths and continue pulling. It will get easier.
Good luck!

There should be instructions inside or on the box.
Try lifting one of your legs up on a bath and inserting it slowly, if it's uncomfortable afterwards you've either inserted it wrong or it's too big.

Don't be scared! Tampons are a lot better and a lot cleaner to use than pads, in my opinion. I started using them after I had my period for about a year. I was scared at first, too, but after I was using them regularly I thought I was silly to be scared of them when they were so great! :)

You have to relax. If you don't relax, there's no way this will work. You should probably try a smaller tampon the first time you use one. I tried U by Kotex Regulars when I started out and they worked great for me! I know the instructions on the box can be confusing, so maybe these will help you.
This might sound gross, but it's easier to put in a tampon if you don't wipe. That way it can slide in easily.
1. Wash your hands
2. Relax and sit on the toilet with your legs spread apart or stand up with one foot on your bathtub (I like sitting better)
3. Unwrap the tampon
4. Place your middle finger and thumb on the part of the tampon that has little swirly things (its like that on U by Kotex ones and on Tampax ones)
5. Place your index (pointer) finger on the end of the tampon that you push in
6. Find the opening to your vagina. It might be easier to do this in front of a mirror. (If you don't know where it is: touch your butt hole, slide your finger up a little and there should be a part of your skin that feels weird. Go up a little more and there it is :) )
7. Hold the tampon at an angle towards your lower back
8. Put the tampon in at the same angle
9. When your fingers that are holding the tampon touch your body, start pushing the plunger part of the tampon in with your index finger.
10. Push it in all the way.
11. Remove the applicator, and place it in the trash.
The string should now be hanging outside of your body. If you can't see the actual tampon, then it's in far enough. If you can see it, then push it up a little more until you can't see it. When you stand up, it might feel weird at first. The first time I put one in, I kept feeling like I needed to pee.
To take one out just pull the string at the same angle you put it in. You should change your tampon every 4-6 hours.
Oh, and don't forget to wash your hands! :)

I hope these help you! And my mom practically did the same thing to me, so I know how you feel about wanting to make her proud :)

-Meee :D