Thoughts

Ensuring teen girls are happy has never been more important, especially as we see the bullying and societal pressure that have risen to incredible heights thanks to the impossible standards of social media, Photoshop, and filters used so frequently. Celebrating individuality and experiencing happiness and simple joys is too easily lost these days.

Let’s debunk some of the myths surrounding invisible learning disabilities. Ultimately, this will allow us to shift the level of acceptance for those suffering the destructive effects of these learning challenges.

The term ‘emotional intelligence’ was coined by psychologists nearly 30 years ago, but in recent years has become quite a buzzword. As more research is conducted, we’ve come to realize the value of emotional intelligence (EQ), and how individuals with more of this quality possess greater self-awareness and are in a better position to foster healthier relationships.

How do you define resilience? I recently read I Still Love You, by Dr. Michael Unger, and wrote down some of my thoughts on this important work. If we want to care for our children and help them build up their superpowers, we need to create community connections that will help them grow in their capacity for resilience.

As a teacher and a mother, I know how much we all pour into our children. However, it’s easy to fixate on accolades and awards that are based solely on academic achievements. This piece looks at how how a multidisciplinary approach allows the message of kindness and empathy to sink in for all children, even those with learning challenges.

How can we expect young, impressionable teenage girls who are grappling with self-confidence issues on a daily basis to navigate social media? It’s essential to ensure that our girls don’t equate their happiness with the number of likes on their latest selfie or TikTok.