building self-esteem in girls

What to Do When Your Daughter is the Mean Girl

610
13 years
by in Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, bullying, Parenting

I knew this day would come. I was, of course, hoping it never would — hoping that my daughter would never be mean to someone else’s daughter — but as they say, I wrote the book on girl bullying in elementary school, so I knew that there was a pretty good chance that despite all of my best efforts, one of these days, my girl was gonna act like the mean one. This morning, she told me about it.

 

To read the full story, please visit the HuffingtonPost Parents section at the link below:

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/signe-whitson/what-to-do-when-your-daug_b_1205113.html

FREE International Bully Prevention E-Zine now available

0
13 years
by in anger, assertiveness, Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, bullying, cyberbullying, Parenting

Check out the January edition of the International Bully Prevention E-Zine. GREAT read for adults and kids alike. And I’m not just saying that because an article of mine is included.

 

http://www.imgstream.com/KnappStory/2012_01/IBPM_2012_01.html

What to Say When Your Daughter Says, “Mom, I’m Fat.”

1054
13 years
by in Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, media messages, Parenting

What do you say when your daughter says, “Mom, I’d fat?”  This Mom couldn’t have said it any better:

http://www.rachelsimmons.com/2012/01/mom-im-fat-one-mothers-inspired-response-to-her-7-year-old/

25 Rules for Daughters from People I Want to Punch in the Throat

0
13 years
by in anger, assertiveness, building self-esteem in girls, Parenting

I love, love, love these rules!  If I had a “theme rule” for How to Be Angry, it would be Rule 9:

Teach your daughter that she has the right to get loud.  Make sure she knows girls can get angry, they can have opinions and they can throw “lady like” behavior out the window if necessary.

 

http://www.peopleiwanttopunchinthethroat.com/2012/01/rules-for-parents-of-daughters.html?spref=fb&m=1

 

Fotoshop is the PERFECT Teacher for Young Girls Facing Media Pressures

691
13 years
by in Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, media messages, online, Parenting

If you’re familiar with the phrase “sad, but true,” this must-watch video is hilarious because it’s so sad that it’s so true. 

Moms, watch this one with your daughters!  I know I will be showing this in my Mother-Daughter workshops based on Friendship & Other Weapons when we talk about the media’s impact on young girls.  This is the perfect clip for creating awareness about healthy body images, photoshopping, and self-esteem. 

Fotoshop by Adobé from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

 

“Maybe she’s born with it.  No…I’m pretty sure it’s Fotoshop!”

3 Ways to Help Your Child Cope with Angry Feelings

1079
13 years
by in anger, assertiveness, Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls

Have you ever been in a situation where you were so overwhelmed with feelings of anger that you were at a loss for words? You had the presence of mind to know all of the things that you shouldn’t say, but weren’t quite sure how to express your true feelings without damaging your relationship. Adults often struggle with effectively communicating angry feelings. For children, this challenge is doubly difficult; kids don’t want to get in trouble for expressing themselves aggressively, but they often lack the skills for communicating assertively.

For three specific skills parents can teach kids to cope with angry feelings effectively, please check me out on Yahoo! Shine:

http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/3-ways-help-child-cope-anger-151800941.html

 

Or check out How to Be Angry: An Assertive Anger Expression Group Guide for Kids & Teens for even more kid-friendly strategies.

A Daughter is One of the Most Beautiful Gifts the World Has to Give

13 years
by in Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, Parenting

There’s Nothing More Badass Than Being Yourself

13 years
by in Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, Parenting

Thought this photo was the PERFECT image to accompany the Huffington Post article I wrote yesterday, celebrating my daughter’s free spirit and creative thinking:

The Best Bad Report Card Ever: Why I Delight In the “Minus” on My Daughter’s Report Card

13 years
by in Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, Parenting

I’ve got two awesome, creative, outside-the-box-thinking, free-spirited daughters (if I do say so myself).  While sometimes the fact that they like to do things their “own way” makes them more challenging to parent, I also think it makes them infinitely INTERESTING little people and I know it can make them wildly successful later in life if they channel their ideas well.  That’s why it always concerns me when I see teachers who try to fit them into a box for their own convenience or penalize them for not conforming enough.

Do you have a little free thinker at home?

Please check out my article on the Huffington Post and let me know your thoughts.  Share with your friends via your social networks.  I’d love to hear what other parents think.

Nothing Matches the Power of a Parent Championing Her Child

13 years
by in Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, bullying, Parenting

…and that’s why this article moved me to tears.  I love this heartfelt defense of a child’s right to be who he is–whatever he is.  I love the way this Mama-bear’s claws that come out to protect and honor her son:

 

Keep it away from all our kids. It’s my responsibility as a mother, as a human being, to stand up and say “No more.” No, you are not allowed to say those things in front of my children, not unless you want to deal with me. Because I will not allow any of my sons to be viciously attacked without seeing me defend them. They will never have to doubt for a second exactly where their parents stand, and never have to live in fear of who they are.

 

Please check out the full, powerful article at this link, on the HuffingtonPost.

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Signe Whitson is an author and educator on bullying, crisis intervention, and child and adolescent emotional and behavioral health. In her articles, books, and training workshops, Signe provides down-to-earth, practical advice for professionals and parents on navigating the daily challenges of living and working with children, tweens and teens.

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