My mom was the same way. She had TSS when she was younger so she didn't want me to ever use them...I was 18 and buying my own products before I started using them regularly. Before that it was just a few here and there that I could sneak from her supply she had for if she wanted to swim or whenever I could convince her I REALLY needed to use one...

I hated pads so much, and they irritate my vagina a lot, so I really didn't like using them, so once I was out of the house, that's all I use. I feel your friend's pain though.