Growing Strong Girls. Lindsay Sealey
To all of you who nurture, support, and champion girls to be strong and confident from the inside out—intentionally growing strong girls and cultivating connection is the most important and profound privilege we share.
Contents
Part 1 A Girl’s Journey Inward
Connection Tool: Ten Simple Conversation Starters
Connection Tool: Self-Care—Ten Ways to Feel Good about You
Part 2 A Girl’s Journey Outward
Connection Tool: Feeling Words
Connection Tool: Qualities Worth Cultivating
18Social Media and Keeping It Real
19Screen Time and the Tangled Web
Part 3 A Girl’s Journey Onward
20Turning Setbacks into Comebacks
Connection Tool: Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety
24What’s Ahead? Planning and Preparing for the Future
25Who’s in Charge? Choices and Decision Making
26Motivation: Let’s Get Moving
Connection Tool: Ten Ways to Connect Starting Now
1.The Self-Worth Manifesto and Ways to Help Her Feel Strong
2.Positive Power Statements
3.Common Connection Concerns
4.Top Tips for Homework and Studying
5.Empowerment Songs
6.Positive Role Models
7.Body Wisdom
Foreword
IF YOU ARE a parent or another “big person” invested in raising and championing a girl, you are holding the most wonderful gift in your hands in the form of this book. Having worked with children and families for many years, there is one thing I know for sure: connection is at the heart of what makes the world go ’round.
The science of child development has irrefutably revealed that the most central need all children everywhere have for healthy development is relational connection. When a child is held in the space of nurturing connection by their special adults in all aspects of their life—home, school, sport, community—something incredible happens in the core of their emotional brain. Neural track gets laid down that promotes regulation, reduces stress, increases resiliency, and fosters optimal outcomes academically, socially, and eventually, professionally.
Sadly, today’s girl is growing up at a time when much of what would once have “just happened” naturally to support her healthy