Click for full show notes, exercises, and parenting scripts from this episodeAs girls grow older, the social and internal pressure they face grows exponentially. The friend problems from middle school seems a far step from the intricate web of high school drama, romantic relationships form and fail, and the expectation to act, dress, and behave certain ways steers girls into uncomfortable, hard-to-navigate situations. All of this can have serious consequences on girls’ outlook on the world and themselves.Without proper guidance from their parents, teenage girls can let unhealthy mindsets fester and become seriously harmful. Too much screen time, toxic friendships, and unresolved trust issues can all lead girls down the wrong path. They might develop major self-esteem and mental health issues, or they might become over-concerned with that others think of them instead of being true to their own passions. Parents play a huge role in developing positive habits in their teenage and preteen daughters, and with many teen girls feeling like life is at a never-ending standstill, it’s more important than ever for them to feel encouraged, supported, and empowered.For a look at what parents can do to encourage and empower their teenage girls (and boys!), I welcomed back Lindsey Sealey, recent author of Rooted, Resilient, and Ready: Empowering Teen Girls as they Grow. Lindsey knows so much about how to instill confidence in young women that one podcast episode wasn’t enough! She previously appeared in Episode 74: Growing Strong Girls, but she came back to explain even more ways parents can help girls through especially hard times.In Lindsey’s work with teenage girls, she often sees them put on “masks” to hide their true emotions and avoid failure. She thinks this kind of behavior is rooted in a fear, whether it be fear of judgment, fear of failure, or fear of not fitting in. These masks become more and more harmful as girls get older and their relationships and conflicts become more complicated. Mental health, romantic relationships, toxic friendships, and academic pressures build and build, making life more complex than ever for teenage girls. When a girl puts on a mask, she isn’t able to truly address these issues in a productive way, which is exactly what Lindsey works to prevent.By teaching girls to be confident and always act in ways that are best for themselves, Lindsey helps girls become the best versions of themselves as possible. She works to help girls find their “farkle” (fire + sparkle) and pursue their skills and interests, and she has some great advice for how parents can do the same! In our interview, Lindsey unpacks how parents can talk to their teenage girls to grow their confidence and deal with all the drama of their teenage years appropriately, all while growing closer to their daughters. Here are some of the topics we cover:
Forming healthy relationships and cutting out toxic ones
What to do when teens lie
Giving teens their first phones
Why fifteen minutes is the most powerful unit of time
It was a privilege to have Lindsey rejoin me on the podcast, and her advice this time around was just as poignant as before. Whether you’ve heard from Lindsey before or not, this episode is a great listen for all parents, whether raising boys or girls!