RAISING CONFIDENT KIDS Get a kids’ eye view Awkward! (It’s puberty) Competence = confidence

KidsHealth.org is the # 1 website devoted to children’s health in English & Spanish 1 million+ visits a day

PINK LOCKER SOCIETY book series

Four books - for ages 8 and up

Three sons & 7

First day of school

Pink Locker Society BLOG 60,000 questions 18,000+ comments “MY MOM, WHENEVER I TELL HER SOMETHING, INSTEAD OF HER UNDERSTANDING AND GETTING WHAT I’M TRYING TO SAY, SHE FINDS A WAY TO MAKE IT MY FAULT OR WILL LATER USE IT TO EMBARRASS ME.” -DANCEGIRL22

i’m 12, i like a girl named jessica and i don’t know what to do. We're already "normal" friends. She seems shy around me, and i feel shy around her. We do talk a lot. She started to ask me "The questions." Like;How old am I,how many pets do i have, my favorite color, etc. things like that. Does this mean she likes me too? Is she trying to figure me out? We sit next to each other at lunch a lot. So maybe i should ask her out?

Meet Evan!

Meet Emily-Anne!

What can parents do? Listen Observe Reach out

Listen Is there more to what your child is saying?

New book by the author of Queen Bees & Wannabees (which inspired the movie Mean Girls) Interviews with 200+ boys

Observe Can you learn anything by watching your child at a sports practice or party?

Reach out Can you approach them in a way that won’t shut them down?

3 ideas for reaching out Pick up on cues: If your daughter wanders into the bra department, there’s likely a reason Consider alternative means of communication: Many kids say they’d rather text, write a note about a problem. Anticipate: No one likes to rush things, but your children will be glad that you provided information about the stuff they don’t understand – and that everyone is talking about.

Puberty checklist O Be informed yourself O Find multiple ways of communicating O Do not tease or embarrass O Keep confidences

Be informed Puberty starting slightly earlier BOYS O Between 9 and 14 GIRLS O Between 8 and 13 O First period: Most around O First period can arrive as early as 9 and as old as 16.

Be informed O Consider norms – leg shaving, types of bras, deodorant, boxers?

Find multiple ways of communicating O Appropriate websites – KidsHealth, Pink Locker Society, Brainpop, O Books O Multiple conversations O Keep it light and positive and consider privacy.

Book recommendations

No teasing or embarrassing O It’s natural, but avoid it. O Teasing sends the message that you do not take them or their problems seriously O Strive to keep confidences and be sensitive about sharing with opposite gender parent, siblings, grandparents etc.

Confidence: How Parents Can Help O Be in tune with your child, know their struggles. O Expand your idea of “achievement.” (Let your child lead.) O Help kids and teens set the right goals.

True achievement builds confidence.

Remember Evan?

Underwent years of treatment Day-in, day-out dealing with a front-and-center difference Developed a desire to explain and promote understanding

Remember Emily-Anne?

Bullied Changed schools Struggled to fit in

With Meryl And Lady Gaga

Emily with Mom and Dad

Evan and his Mom