The Brave Girl Blog Navigating Friendship Challenges and Confidence

As the lazy days of winter break come to an end, the thought of jumping back into the school routine can bring about a case of the back-to-school blues for students and parents alike. But worry not! We've put together effective strategies and personal tips to help make this transition smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.

6 Practical Tips to Help Your Daughter Manage the Back-to-School Transition:

Look at Your Schedule: Begin the week by reviewing your schedule. This helps set clear expectations and reduces anxiety about the unknowns of the week ahead.

Plan Enjoyable Activities: Integrate fun activities throughout the week. Whether it's a movie night, a crafting session, or a quick coffee meet-up with a friend, having something to look forward to can significantly uplift spirits.

Shift Your Language: When discussing school work and tasks, change "I have to" to "I get to." This small shift in language can transform tasks into opportunities and reduce feelings of burden.

Organize...

 As we get ready to step into 2025, it's the perfect time to pause, reflect, and plan for the months ahead.

Many of us set resolutions with the best intentions, but often, we don’t have a clear plan on how to achieve them.

This year, let’s do it differently with a simple yet powerful tool that I’m excited to share with you: The Wheel of Life.

Why the Wheel of Life?

The Wheel of Life is an incredible tool that helps us visualize all the important areas of our lives at once. It allows us to see where we are flourishing and where we might need to invest more time and energy. By using this tool, you can create more balance and success in your life in a way that is aligned with your personal values and aspirations. 

How It Works:

1. Setup - Categories: Begin by reviewing the key areas of your life such as Health, Family, Learning, Fun, and Work. You can adjust these categories to better...

As the holiday season unfolds, we at The Brave Girl Project want to take a moment to send you and your family our warmest wishes. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah,  or Kwanzaa, or simply savoring the magic of this time of year, we’re here to support you and your family through all the joys and challenges that come with the season.

The holidays can be a beautiful time filled with togetherness, but they can also bring moments of stress, especially for our girls navigating friendships and emotions. During this busy season, remember to offer yourself and your family the gift of grace. Allow time to slow down, breathe deeply, and focus on the connections that matter most.

At The Brave Girl Project, we are so grateful to be a part of your journey. Our mission has always been to empower girls and support families, and the...

As the year draws to a close, I recently had the chance to spend some time with some of my favorite teacher friends. During our discussions, we explored what children and teens truly need to succeed. Unanimously, we recognized one critical skill that underpins many others: the ability to navigate discomfort. 

While our instinct as parents and teachers is to protect our children from difficulty, we recognize that encountering and overcoming challenges is where significant growth occurs. This season, let's focus on the enduring gift we can give our children: The resilience to handle life's challenges.

Why Embracing Discomfort Matters

Real confidence stems not from avoiding challenges but from facing them. When children experience discomfort and come out the other side, they learn valuable lessons about their strength and capabilities. This insight is something we can nurture daily, reminding our children—and...

Middle and high school can be some of the most challenging years in your daughter’s life.

Between the academic pressures, changing social dynamics, and the search for independence, these years often come with struggles to find meaningful friendships and a sense of belonging. As a parent, you may feel helpless watching your daughter navigate these challenges. But there is hope—connection and community can make all the difference.

Why Connection Matters
Having a strong sense of connection is more than just about having friends. It’s about feeling valued, understood, and supported by others. Research shows that young people who feel connected to a peer group experience lower levels of stress, increased confidence, and improved overall well-being. These connections teach vital social skills, like communication and conflict resolution, that will benefit your daughter for years to come.

The Power of Group Support

I firmly believe in the transformative power of community...

December is a month full of excitement, anticipation, and, for many high school seniors, ANXIETY.

For students who applied to colleges for early action or early decision, December 15th is a pivotal date when many colleges send out their admissions decisions. This year, as I walk through this process with my son—also a senior—I’m acutely aware of how these moments can shape not only the future but also the present emotional well-being of our children.

For many students, the college application process is an all-consuming journey: A carefully curated portfolio of advanced classes, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and countless hours of preparation. So, when the time comes to open that letter or email from their dream school, it feels like everything hinges on the outcome. The stakes feel high, and for many girls, this process is even more emotionally charged.

But what happens if the letter says "NO"?

The sting of a college rejection can feel...

Inspiring Conversations: Supporting Your Daughter Through Relationship Decisions

In my last blog, I shared insights on how to support your daughter through her first breakup.  Afterward, a thoughtful reader reached out with a story many parents might relate to: her daughter was grappling with a difficult decision—whether to break up with her boyfriend, who, by all accounts, is a "nice guy."

It’s a tricky situation, isn’t it? How do you guide your daughter when the relationship isn’t “bad,” but something still feels off? Let’s explore how to approach these nuanced conversations.

It can be hard to know when it is time to break up or move on from a relationship. Many girls face complex emotions when considering ending a relationship. Concerns about how their dating partner will react, how they will be perceived by others, and the potential impact on existing friendships can make the decision particularly challenging.

They may worry...

I recently helped one of my coaching clients navigate her first breakup—a painful but significant milestone for so many of us. I can still remember my own first heartbreak back in 1990. At the time, Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U was all over the radio, and it quickly became my heartbreak anthem. To this day, I hear that song and feel the tug of those old emotions.

Because heartbreak is such a universal experience, it’s no wonder that watching our daughters go through it can be especially tough. We might worry about how this breakup will impact her—whether it will shake her confidence or make her wary of future relationships. The impulse to shield her from pain is natural, but the truth is, these experiences can also be powerful opportunities for growth. With the right support, she can come through this stronger and more resilient.

Here are some compassionate, research-backed ways to help your daughter heal and find her strength...

Do you have multiple teenagers living in your house?

If you do have multiple teenagers  I admire you and I'm scared to even ask how many hours you spend in your car each week just driving your kids to all of their activities.

It is so hard dividing our time and attention equally when we have multiple children and when each child has their own set of activities and needs, it can feel like a constant juggling act. I know the busyness of life and the running around can leave us wondering if we’re truly able to make each of our children feel loved and supported.

I was recently reminded of this during a conversation with a dear friend, Ella. She shared a story that many of us can relate to. Ella’s sister, Kim, faced a scheduling conflict: she couldn't attend her daughter Emma’s field hockey game because she was already committed to supporting her son at his football game. Determined to ensure that both her children felt supported, Kim asked Ella to step in and...

Has your daughter experienced a friend who seems to be quietly trying to turn others against her?

Perhaps this friend shares negative stories about your daughter when she isn’t around or makes subtle, backhanded comments in front of their friends.

Maybe your daughter has tried to talk to this friend to understand why she’s acting this way, only to be met with denial or no clear explanation.

This kind of behavior often comes from insecurity; the friend may be afraid others will like your daughter more and, in trying to avoid feeling left out, resort to behaviors that undermine your daughter.

If your daughter is dealing with a friend like this, it can be painful and confusing to navigate. Here are some ways you can support her through this challenging experience—helping her stay confident, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen her positive friendships.

The first step in supporting your daughter is helping her to become aware of the signs of insecure, sabotaging...