Parenting is challenging, parenting teenage girls can be even more complicated.
Girls seem to be need more self-confidence in order to feel acceptance among their peers. Especially some young girls that are raised without a father figure in their life. Boys can also be influenced by not having a male figure in their young lives. This article focuses on girls today, however recognizing that boys can be a challenge too.
Girls seem to be need more self-confidence in order to feel acceptance among their peers. Especially some young girls that are raised without a father figure in their life. Boys can also be influenced by not having a male figure in their young lives. This article focuses on girls today, however recognizing that boys can be a challenge too.
Whether is it not being pretty enough, not thin enough, or not fitting into a cool peer group; many girls strive to belong, to fit in – to be noticed and accepted. In some cases, they are trying to fit into the wrong group and step away from who they really are. Is your daughter worrying that she hasn’t been kissed yet? Why doesn’t she have a boyfriend?
I am listing some great resources and books that I encourage parents of teenage girls to review. There is enough in our society today that compounds many issues that we didn’t have to deal with generations before. Whether it is technology or considering the HPV preventative vaccination, we as parents need to be educated. An educated parent is a prepared parent which equals a safer teen.
You'd Be So Pretty If . . .: Teaching Our Daughters to Love Their Bodies by Dara Chadwick. Dara Chadwick has written articles about tweens and teens in many magazines such as Parenting, Psychology Today, Family Circle, Newsweek, Woman’s Day just to name a few. She remains a positive role model for young girls and offers educational articles on parenting today. Follow her on Twitter @DaraChadwick
A Way Through, Female Friendship Experts. Both Jane Balvanz and Blair Wagner specialize in girls from kindergarten thru 8th grade and also for educators. It’s tough to know what to do when your daughter is being hurt by other girls, learn how to detect what your daughter needs and feelings are. Take time to explore this website and the many resources they offer. Follow them on Twitter @AWayThrough
Queen Bees & Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World by Rosalind Wiseman. When she first published Queen Bees & Wannabes, it fundamentally changed the way that adults look at girls’ friendships and conflicts. From how they choose their best friends, how they express their anger, their boundaries with boys, and their relationships with parents—Wiseman showed how girls of every background are profoundly influenced by their interactions with each other. Don’t miss her latest version coming shortly. Follow her on Twitter @RosalindWiseman
My Feet Aren't Ugly, A Girl's Guide to Loving Herself From The Inside Out. It’s a journal and handbook for teen girls. I hope it offers encouragement, fresh ideas, and insight to become satisfied and confident with who you are on your journey to adulthood. This written by author and mentor, Debra Beck. Her website is absolutely delightful and encouraging. Follow her on Twitter @DebraBeck
The Curse of the Good Girl, Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence by Rachel Simmons. This book is an essential guide to contemporary girl culture and a call to arms from a new front in female empowerment. Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachelJSimmons
There are many more terrific resources and books for parenting today. This is a good start and hopefully motivates you to take the first steps in getting to know your daughter better. Parenting is not easy, however being equipped with knowledge gives you the tools you need to be a better parent.
For more info: Parents Universal Resource Experts, Department of Health and Human Services, Dove's Tip Sheet for Teen Girls.
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