I am raising two girls here, and I’m learning so much by watching and talking with other moms. If you’re raising girls, then this post is my gift to you.
Here’s what I love about these resources: each one normalizes so many of the struggles moms and daughters experience. They give words to my feelings.
Moms can be hesitant to talk about struggles and challenges, because it makes us feel inadequate. Or we’re missing something when we scroll through happy faces and elaborate vacations on social media.
But here’s the good news, moms: you are not alone! I am so glad there are public conversations happening to help us feel like we are doing good things. Raising girls and kids is just hard.
Chat with Sissy Goff
Here are two podcasts worth your time. Both conversations are with Sissy Goff, a 20 year veteran counselor, who works specifically with kids and teenagers.
In Surviving Sarah’s podcast (Episode 62), Sarah and Sissy cover a range of topics, including:
- the 4 developmental stages girls experience as they grow, birth through adolescence
- childhood anxiety
- parenting personalities
- assuming the best in your kids
- and developing a girl’s self worth
Their conversation was full of great strategies to help kids cope with anxiety. They also discuss conflict between a mother and daughter, childhood obesity, and so much more.
We covered the God Centered Mom podcast and their interview with Sissy Goff a few weeks ago. It’s so good, we’re going to mention it again.
The most helpful wisdom I gain is not rocket science. But it sure is changing the way I view ministry. It is influencing my home, my church and my job.
Check out the post for the full podcast rundown, and listen to the podcast here or on the God Centered Mom site!
On Raising Courageous Daughters
Research suggests that when something goes wrong in a boy’s world, he blames someone else. (Moms, unfortunately, that’s most often you.) But when something goes wrong in a girl’s world, who does she blame? You guessed it, because you did too (and maybe you still do). She blames herself.
How do we raise courageous girls? How do we help them discover their voice?
The beauty of Sissy’s writing is the real-life stories from her counseling experience. Her ability to weave those stories into parenting truths is really helpful.
In a Christianity Today post, Sissy tells us about 4 Keys to Empowering Your Daughter, starting with:
- Spend time with her.
It sounds too easy, right?
As simple as it sounds, when you delight in your daughter, she will come to believe she is delightful.
Check out the post for her other tips.
Common Ground
Are you seeing a trend here? Have you picked up on the common thread in these resources?
Sissy Goff.
Sissy’s great gift to us is her writing. She has written 8 books and is a blogger, speaker, and trainer. She knows her stuff.
Here are some of my top picks from my bookshelf and my wish list:
- Are My Kids on Track: The 12 Emotional, Social and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach
- Raising Girls: All You Need to Know
- Intentional Parenting: Autopilot is for Planes
- Raising Boys & Girls: The Art of Understanding Their Differences
I hope you will be encouraged by listening to and reading Sissy’s work. I know I have. Tell us what you learn along the way!
