Self-Esteem/ Self-Confidence
How to Raise Girls with Healthy Self-Esteem by Anita Gurian, Ph.D
Although women have made gains in education and employment in the equal rights war, they’re still losing the self-esteem war. Girls’ self-esteem peaks when they are about 9 years old, then takes a nosedive. Here is a look at why girls’ self-esteem plummets and what can be done to prevent it.
http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/how_raise_girls_healthy_selfesteem
Warning Signs Your Daughter Has Self-Esteem Issues – Discovery Girls Magazine
According to Discovery Girls Magazine “85% of girls say that their parents boost their self confidence”. But how do you know if they might need some boosting? Here are 5 common signs to watch for in your daughter.
Teaching Girls They’re More Than A Pretty Face by Rae Pica
Little steps can make a big difference in building girls self-esteem. Talk to girls about their interests & abilities. Provide images of famous females who are known for the contributions they are making to society. Choose books with female characters that are strong & capable.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rae-pica/teaching-girls-theyre-mor_b_924381.html
5 tips to help daughter with self-esteem issues by Dr. Maribel Gonzalez
Here are some great tips to help your daughter improve her self-esteem. We love the advice to “Be real.”
http://www.chicagonow.com/ay-mama/2011/07/5-tips-to-help-your-teen-daughter-with-self-esteem-issues/
How Mothers Unintentionally Harm Their Daughters’ Self-Confidence by Joyce McFaddon
Although we don’t mean to, we mothers often model for our daughters our own insecurities. According to a Wall Street Journal report, one study found 80% of ten-year-old girls had already dieted to lose weight, and another found that girls as young as five have a preoccupation with body image. It also stated that anorexia and bulimia are on the rise. Great article to increase awareness of how our actions impact our daughters.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joyce-mcfadden/mothers-daughters-body-image_b_882264.html
Girl Power: Building Confidence. Develop Strong Communication by Leigh Felesky
Great article with ten ways to build your daughter’s confidence & trust in you. Key point – when your daughter is ready to talk drop everything and listen. “The younger your daughter is when you start these one-on-one conversations, the more she’ll see that you’re someone she can turn to when she needs support.”
http://parenting.kaboose.com/behavior/13470.html
Inspire a Girl, Change her World by Jess Weiner
“Girls of all ages overwhelmingly report that they still value their mothers over celebrities and supermodels as their number one source of inspiration.” Everyone has an opportunity to make a difference in a girl’s self-esteem, and we should all commit ourselves to helping girls build a positive relationship with beauty so that they can reach their full potential. What simple action will you take to inspire your daughter today?
The Dove Self-Esteem Toolkit
How can you not love a company that supports a movement to increase girls self-esteem? Promising that one-hour of your time can make a huge difference, this toolkit includes conversations starters, impactful activities and an in-depth guide to help you make a difference in your daughter’s life.
http://www.dovemovement.com/events/toolkit
Benefits of Yoga
Namaste. Now Nap Time. Yoga classes for kids are taking off, as advocates say it’s especially helpful for those with focusing problems By Emily Glazer
A 2003 study by California State University, Los Angeles found that yoga improved students’ behavior, physical health and academic performance, as well as attitudes toward themselves. That same year, Leipzig University reported that yoga reduces feelings of helplessness and aggression, and in the long term helps emotional balance.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703386704576186463216602684.html
Yoga for Kids by Marsha Wenig
Yoga is the ulitmate gift for our children. Great article on how yoga helps kids reduce stress while encouraging positive self-esteem and body awareness.
http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/210
Body Image
Mothers Can Damage Daughters’ Body Image.
In her book “Do I Look Fat in This?,” Jessica Weiner says moms who fixate on dieting cna influence their daughters’ behavior. Read an excerpt.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/14448565/#.Tkshg7_tL30
Tips for Improving Your Body Image by TeensHealth
Great advice: “Some people think they need to change how they look or act to feel good about themselves. But actually all you need to do is change the way you see your body and how you think about yourself.”
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/body_image/body_image.html
Eating Disorder Signs in Your Child by Hanna Dubansky, USNews.com
When does the “I Am fat” talk turn into a real problem? Scary to think that girls as young as 8 are suffering from eating disorders. This article is a good quick read of warning signs.
http://health.yahoo.net/articles/parenting/eating-disorder-signs-your-child
Friends, Frenemies & Peer Pressure
Tips for Helping Teens Deal with Peer Pressure by Christina Lemmey
We applaud the accountability of teaching our daughters that they should be held responsible for their actions, which ultimately would include their choice in friends.
http://www.momstalknetwork.com/resources/tips-for-helping-teens-deal-with-peer-pressure/
Great article in O Magazine Oct issue called “With Frenemies Like These…”. Author Kelly Valen was asked if she forsees an end to the mean-girl phenomenon & she says “the role of moms keep coming up. We have to lead by example – no more gossiping in front of our daughters. We also need to instill more confidence in them. Without a healthy sense of self, they look to their peers for confirmation of their worth. We can change that by helping them feel powerful straight out of the gate.”
http://www.oprah.com/relationships/The-Benefits-of-Female-Friendships
Bullying
Why Girls Need to Learn About CyberDRAMA, Not Just CyberBULLYING by Rachel Simmons
Best advice ever – If you wouldn’t say it, don’t send it.
Bullying: Tips for Students by The Teaching Tolerance Project
Great checklist with suggestions for what kids can do when bullying occurs – written for students being bullied, students who witness bullying and the bullies themselves.
http://www.tolerance.org/activity/bullying-tips-students
Making Healthy Choices
Role Modeling Summit Explores Crucial Link Between Mothers, Daughters, Food and Health
Interesting press release about “the uniquely powerful influence a mother has on her daughter” in terms of physical activity, dieting behaviors, body image and self-esteem. It ties in research that shows low self-worth tied to body image showing up in girls as young as 5!
Happiness
Want to be happy? Stop trying to be perfect. By Brene Brown
This is a great article for all of us overachieving people pleasers who are trying to be perfect. We need to remind ourselves and our daughters that we are “actually drawn to people who are real and down to earth”. It’s time to embrace being perfectly imperfect.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/11/01/give.up.perfection/index.html
Technology & Social Media
A Girl’s Nude Photo, and Altered Lives by Jan Hoffman
Sad New York Times article about how one bad decision ruined 8th graders lives. It’s never too early to start having these conversations with our daughters.
