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March/April 2008

Let’s Talk: Are friends more important to her than family?
It’s scary when a girl turns away from her family toward friends who’ve seemingly become her “real family.” More of us are facing this challenge as family time shrinks with rat-race schedules and girls get bombarded with media messages that urge them to turn to products and peers rather than family. Therapist and author Patti Criswell offers advice on how to create a family base of warmth and support that will keep a girl—and her parents—feeling happy and connected. By Patti Criswell

May/June 2007

Let's Talk: Does she truly feel successful? by Courtney Macavinta
We all want the best for our girls as we help to prepare them for a happy and successful future. But what happens when our expectations pressure girls to be “perfect” at school, extra-curriculars, and life in general? Experts warn that the pressures are leading to serious emotional and physical symptoms that indicate that girls don’t feel fulfilled inside. You’ll find plenty of guidance on how to guide a girl toward a lifestyle that’ll leave her feeling truly successful and happy, as well as insights on how we parents can re-examine our own priorities to model a healthy view of success.

November/December 2006

Self-injury: Why I cut myself; If your daughter injures herself: A mom’s view by Jean & Amy Lynch
When a girl chooses to cut or self-injure herself, she’s trying to speak about her life, says this 17-year-old, who had cut herself for years. Self-injury often arises because a girl feels out of control of her life or is reacting to traumatic stresses. Our challenge is to help her explore the roots of her pain and find new ways to cope as we support her recovery, say this mother-daughter pair.

July/August 2006

The Unexpected Rewards of Mother Meltdown by Jody Greenlee
Sometimes our failings can create opportunities for girls to find their own courage, says this mom of two girls who took the reins when she faltered. When we underestimate a girl’s potential, she says, girls lose out of the self-esteem boost from taking on big, risky projects.

May/June 2006

Mimi Doe on raising compassionate girls
When girls enter the tween and teen years, “kind” and “compassionate” may not be the first words that come to mind when we describe them. It's no surprise: a girl's best instincts are sometimes submerged as she struggles with the challenges of relationships, school, and puberty. But when we help girls explore easy daily opportunities to express their compassion, we will soon see kindness unfold, says Mimi Doe, parent educator, mom of two daughters, and author of Nurturing Your Teenager's Soul: A Practical Approach to Raising a Kind, Honorable, Compassionate Teen.

November/December 2005

Interview: Lisa Machoian on Girls' Depression
When girls enter the tween and teen years, their risk of depression doubles. Yet there's much we can do to both prevent and treat depression, says Machoian, author of The Disappearing Girl: Learning the Language of Teenage Depression. She draws on 20 years of working with girls as a teacher, therapist, and researcher to lend everyday ways we can help girls address the roots of depression.

November/December 2004

The New Teenage Anxiety
More girls are reporting increased anxiety, often a result of stress over school, friends, or relationships. Parents can help ease anxiety by giving her support, connection, and stability.

March/April 2003

The Value of Solitude by Susannah Sheffer
Are you concerned that with talk about the importance of social acceptance and inclusion for girls, we are losing sight of how important solitude is as well? Solitude is a way for our girls to learn about and find themselves in a tough stress-fill world. Learn how to encourage your girl to take time for her, by herself.

July/August 2002

The Abiding Power of Pippi
Astrid Lindgren’s words, and her archetypal Pippi Longstocking, confirm one of the most important realities about our daughters, and one of the key challenges we face as their parents: Our daughters have power.