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 SOCIETYbook series

Four books - for ages 8 and up

Three sons

17

15

& 7

First day of school

Pink Locker Society BLOG

60,000 questions18,000+ 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?

ListenObserve 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 yourselfO Find multiple ways of communicatingO Do not tease or embarrassO Keep confidences

Be informed

Puberty starting slightly earlier

BOYSO Between 9 and 14

GIRLSO Between 8 and 13O First period: Most around 12-13O 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 BooksO Multiple conversationsO 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 HelpO 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