Talking To Teens: Expert Tips for Parenting Teenagers
Kids & Family
Chelsey Goodan, author of Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls, shares invaluable insights into empowering teenage girls through listening, validating their emotions, and encouraging a broader sense of self beyond societal expectations, while also addressing body image, feminism, and the struggles teens face today.
Bonfire Digital Wellness has a diverse team of seasoned, compassionate school counselors, ready to coach your teen. Check it out today and take advantage of a 1-month FREE trial: BonfireDW.org/talkingtoteens
Full Show Notes
Raising teenage girls often feels like navigating a minefield of societal pressures, emotional upheaval, and misunderstood conversations. Parents strive to empower their daughters but find themselves grappling with how to breach topics on body image, confidence, feminism, and independence without exacerbating the situation. Today, more than ever, teenage girls are facing unprecedented challenges, from the pressures of social media to confronting traditional gender roles, leaving parents questioning how they can support their daughters through these tumultuous years.
Our esteemed guest, Chelsey Goodan, brings a wealth of experience and insights to this conversation. With 17 years under her belt as an academic tutor and mentor for teenage girls, Chelsey has also lent her expertise as the mentorship director of the non-profit DemocraShe and the founder of the Activist Cartel. Her book, *Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls*, unveils the untapped potential and profound insights of teenage girls, urging us to listen more and to foster meaningful conversations that validate and empower.
The Power of Validation and Listening
Chelsey emphasizes the importance of allowing teenage girls to express their feelings without hurriedly offering solutions or dismissing their emotions. By simply validating their experiences and emotions, we can help them process their feelings healthily, building a foundation of trust and open communication. Chelsey provides practical insights into "holding space" for these conversations, demonstrating how we can encourage girls to find their solutions and gain confidence in their decision-making abilities.
Breaking Cycles and Expanding Identity
Through Chelsey’s stories and examples, we learn how to break the cycles of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and negative self-talk. Chelsey discusses expanding a girl’s sense of identity beyond academic achievements or singular interests, urging a multifaceted self-view that fosters resilience and inner strength. Encouraging exploration and supporting their passions can lead to a more balanced and fulfilled sense of self.
Tackling Tough Topics with Radical Honesty
From discussing feminism to confronting the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by the media, Chelsey outlines strategies for having radical, honest conversations about the issues that matter most to teenage girls today. She offers advice on how parents can engage in these discussions, not by dictating but by opening up dialogues that respect and value the girl's perspectives and unique voices.
Cultivating a Culture of Compliments
Chelsey highlights the intricacies of giving meaningful compliments that resonate with teenage girls, illustrating how specificity and authenticity in praise can make them feel seen, heard, and genuinely valued. This approach not only bolsters their self-esteem but also encourages a closer, more understanding relationship between parent and child.
In the Episode:
- How simple acts of listening and validating can transform your relationship with your teenage daughter.
- Strategies to break the cycle of people-pleasing and perfectionism.
- Approaching difficult conversations around body image, feminism, and identity with openness and curiosity.
- The potent effects of detailed and heartfelt compliments.
- Plus, Chelsey takes us through how to engage teenage girls in conversations about their interests, even if it’s about figures like Kim Kardashian, to explore deeper topics such as media influence and self-expression.
Chelsey's insights serve as a beacon for parents navigating the complexities of raising teenage girls in today's world. Her emphasis on conversation, validation, and empowering girls to find their voice demonstrates the transformative power of understanding and support.
Be sure to grab a copy of Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls for more of Chelsey’s invaluable advice. And remember, fostering an environment where teenage girls feel empowered, valued, and understood can make all the difference in their journey to adulthood.
Listen to the episode for a deep dive into empowering teenage girls and subscribe to Talking to Teens for more expert advice on connecting with the teenagers in your life.
Ep 171: Instilling Compassion for Principled Teens
Ep 170: The Effects of Screentime and How to Deal with It
Ep 169: How Early Could Your Teen Retire?
Ep 168: Having Race Conversations
Ep 167: What Self-Directed Learning Can Do for Teens
Ep 166: How to Harness the Voice in Your Head
Ep 165: Secrets to a Better Connection
Ep 164: How to Modify a Personality
Ep 163: Forget Hormones! What’s Going On Inside the Teen Brain?
Ep 162: Could You Handle an Emotional Teen?
Ep 161: Keys to Beating Low Energy (Without Sleeping More!)
Ep 160: Does Your Family Need a Code of Excellence?
Ep 159: Breaking Down Anxiety
Ep 158: The Knowledge Gap
Ep 157: "Hey! That's MINE!"
Ep 156: The Funny Thing About Depression…
Ep 155: Growing Apart in Middle School
Ep 154: What to Say to Motivate Your Teen
Ep 153: Initiate Change In Your Teen (Using DBT)
Ep 152: Alcohol, Drugs, and Prevention
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
History Storytime - For Kids
Privacy Boys
Nonsensical Show
Anne of Avonlea
The Art of War
Dr. Laura Call of the Day
Focus on the Family Broadcast