RAISING CONFIDENT TEEN DAUGHTERS | Self-Esteem, Self-Worth, Mental Health Education, Parenting, Friendship, Comparison

What if helping your daughter feel stronger physically could also help her feel more confident on the inside?

In this episode, I’m joined by Shannon Johanson, personal trainer and founder of Barbells and Braids, to talk about the powerful connection between physical strength, body image, and confidence in young girls.

We chat about helping our daughters move away from comparison, develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise, and focus on what their bodies can DO rather than how they look.

xo, Kristen

Mentioned in this episode:

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In today's episode, we're talking about the emotional roller coaster of parenting teen girls, especially when they make choices we don't agree with. I'm sharing some encouragement and practical perspective to help you manage your own emotions, respond instead of react, and stay connected with your daughter through the hard stuff.

My favorite parenting quote ever: "The goal of parenting isn't raising a child who never makes mistakes. It's being a safe place for them to land when they do." 🧡

xo, Kristen

Mentioned in this episode:

- My Confidence Prog...

Come hang out with me for a life-lately catch-up!

I’m sharing a little about a recent mother-daughter trip that had me thinking about motherhood from a different perspective... not as the mom, but as the daughter. We’ll talk about playing the long game with our girls and remembering that we’re not just raising girls… we’re building relationships with the women they’re becoming.

I’m also sharing what I’m reading right now plus a beautiful moment that came up in a coaching session this week. 

And if there’s something happeni...

Have you ever had one thing your tween or teen daughter does send your brain into a complete spiral?

In this episode, I’m sharing one simple tool to help you slow down, notice the story you’re telling yourself about your daughter’s behavior, and respond more intentionally instead of reacting from worry or frustration.

This tool never fails me and lays the foundation for confidence too!

xo, Kristen 

Missed my Raising Confident Girls Workshop?

You can still watch the replay FREE through Sunday! Simply register for the...

Have you ever had one of those moments when your daughter is struggling and you just don’t know what to say or do to help?

I had one of those moments recently, and in this episode I’m sharing what helped me and a few things I want you to remember the next time your daughter is going through something hard.

And if you’ve ever wished you felt a little more calm, confident, and connected as you navigate these tween and teen years, I’d love to have you join me for my FREE Rai...

Are you noticing that your tween or teen daughter is worrying more about what other people think of her lately? Maybe you remember how challenging these years can be, and you’re worried she may be struggling with low self-esteem. You want to know what you can actually do to help. 🧡

After years of studying confidence and self-esteem, I put together this list of 5 simple ways to build your daughter’s self-esteem in just 5 minutes a day... and I promise you, it’s a game changer.

Time and time again, moms tell me that it really do...

In this episode, we’re talking about how to help your tween or teen daughter navigate mean-girl behavior and friendship conflict without jumping in and taking over.

We’ll talk about:

- How to tell normal friendship conflict from an unhealthy pattern
- What your daughter really needs from you when she’s hurting
- The simple Listen → Validate → Ask approach
- How to help her build friendship discernment and boundaries
- When to let her work through it, and when it’s time for an adult to step in

And even t...

Do you ever feel like you’re walking on eggshells, changing plans to avoid a meltdown, or hesitating to say no because you already know how she’s going to react?

In this episode, we’re talking about what can happen when anxiety, rigidity, and/or big emotions start controlling the whole family, and how to support your tween or teen daughter during, after, between, and beyond the storm. 

I know how overwhelming and exhausting this can be… and there’s also hope that things can get better. 🧡

xo, Kristen 

Mentioned in t...

Are you living the life you actually want… and are you helping your daughter do the same? As intentional moms, it’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of parenting and everyday life without stopping to think about what matters most to us in this season.

After celebrating another birthday last week and experiencing some really hard reminders lately of just how precious life is, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on how I’m spending my time, what I value most, and what I want this next season of life to look lik...

Friendships can change quickly, especially at the start of a new school year.

Whether your daughter's best friend has drifted away, she's feeling left out of her friend group, or she's struggling to find her place, changing friendships can be one of the hardest parts of growing up.

In this episode, you'll learn how to support your tween or teen daughter through friendship struggles without trying to fix everything for her. You'll learn practical ways to help her build confidence, emotional resilience, and stronger connections as she navigates the ups and downs of friendships.

Our girls don't learn confidence because life always goes according to plan... they learn it by watching how we respond when life doesn't. 🧡

In this episode, I'm sharing the confidence and emotional resilience lessons our family learned these past few months through my husband's job transition. From taking risks and facing failure to managing anxious thoughts and remembering our strengths, this season reminded us that the tools we teach our girls are the very same tools we need as adults.

If you've ever wondered how to help your daughter become more confident and emotionally resilient, thi...

Life has a way of bringing storms we never saw coming, and our girls will have their own to navigate too. 

In this episode, I'm sharing what's been happening in our family's life lately and the reminders it's given me about how we can support our daughters through life's hardest moments. Whether she's facing anxiety, a friendship breakup, grief, disappointment, or another difficult season, our job isn't to help her avoid the storm... it's to help her walk through it with confidence, connection, and hope.

xo, Kristen

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After spending two weeks with several amazing tween girls at my local Confidence Camp, I'm sharing the three biggest lessons I brought home: what helps girls open up, why confidence can absolutely be taught, and the powerful role we play as moms in shaping the way our daughters see themselves.

If you've ever wondered how to help your daughter build lasting confidence before life gets hard, this episode is for you.

xo, Kristen 

Mentioned in this episode:

- My Confidence Program for Girls/Moms: Learn simple tools that help you...

Wondering what to say when your daughter starts asking questions about periods and body changes?

In this episode, I'm chatting with menstrual cycle educator Briana Villegas to talk about how to make these conversations feel less awkward, when to start them, and why understanding their bodies can help girls feel more confident.

Whether your daughter is already asking or you're wondering how to begin the conversations, this will give you practical ideas and encouragement to help you navigate this important stage together.

xo, Kristen 

Mentioned in this episode:

...

A hurtful comment can stick with a girl for a long time.

Whether it was about her appearance, something she did, or anything else, it can be heartbreaking to watch your daughter struggle with the impact of these words.

In this episode, I'm sharing about one of the most popular confidence lessons I teach - a powerful way to help girls understand why hurtful comments seem to stick and what they can do instead. 🧡

xo, Kristen 

Mentioned in this episode:

- Local Summer Confidence Camp!

- My...

This week I'm bringing back one of my favorite conversations because it's a struggle so many girl moms face. Teaching our girls the power they have to change their thoughts about a situation when they want to feel better is foundational to confidence-building. But why doesn't it work sometimes? There's an important first step you might be missing.

Listen in to hear some personal experiences where I was reminded of the importance of remembering this step. I'll also walk you through how to help your girls with their thoughts and feelings in a way that works.

Today we're celebrating 100 episodes of the podcast! 

To mark this milestone, I'm looking back at the 5 most-downloaded episodes of all time and sharing one key takeaway from each. From friendships and self-esteem to emotional regulation and confidence, these are the messages that have resonated most with girl moms over the past two years.

Whether you've been here since episode one or you're brand new to the show, I hope these reminders encourage you and remind you that confidence isn't built in a day... it's built through small moments over time.

🎉 To celebrate 100 episodes, my M...

If your daughter has been struggling with confidence, self-esteem, friendships, or anxiety, summer can be one of the best times to strengthen your relationship and help her thrive emotionally.

In this episode, we're chatting about:

- how to help your daughter feel heard
- simple ways to strengthen your connection 
- why supportive environments matter so much for girls

Wishing you a wonderful start to your summer break!

xo, Kristen 

Mentioned in this episode:

- My Confidence Program for Girls/Moms: Learn simple tool...

From end-of-year parties and group photos to general friendship struggles and exclusion, these seasons can bring up a lot of hurt for girls… and heartbreak for moms too.

In this episode, we’ll chat about:

- what to say when your daughter feels left out

- why validation matters more than fixing

- how connection helps girls get through these times

- and how to gently guide her toward healthy friendships, belonging, and hope 🧡

If you’ve been wondering how to support your daughter through friendship pain, this is f...

Are you feeling more reactive, emotionally exhausted, or overwhelmed lately? You're not alone!

In this episode, we’re talking about the emotional load so many moms are carrying right now, why our nervous systems get overloaded during busy seasons (like Maycember!), and the simple reset that makes the biggest difference.

Also, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to do motherhood perfectly to deeply impact your daughter.

xo, Kristen

Mentioned in this episode:

- My Confidence Program for Girls/Moms: Learn simple tools that help y...

If you've ever found yourself thinking you're not doing a good job as a mom, you’re not alone.

In this episode, I’m sharing 3 powerful truths to come back to when you’re questioning yourself... especially in the messy, emotional moments of raising a tween or teen daughter.

Tune in for a quick reset that will leave you feeling like you're enough. 🧡

xo, Kristen 

Mentioned in this episode:

- My Confidence Program for Girls/Moms: Learn simple tools that help your daughter build confidence and strengthen your connect...

Are you trying to help your daughter when she’s upset, anxious, or overwhelmed, but the tools don't seem to be working? In this episode, I’m sharing 2 common mistakes moms often make when trying to support their daughters: changing her thoughts too quickly and telling her to calm down before she feels understood. Learn what actually helps girls feel safe, supported, and open to guidance during the hard moments.

If you’d love more support and tools for raising a confident, connected daughter, learn more about Meant to Be Confident below.

xo, Kristen 

Today we’re talking about what it means to wish your daughter could “keep her spark” and what to do when it feels like it has faded.

I’m sharing 3 simple ways to help her rebuild confidence and feel like herself again. 🧡

xo, Kristen 

Mentioned in this episode:

- My Confidence Program for Girls/Moms: Learn simple tools that help your daughter build confidence and strengthen your connection... without you having to figure it all out alone. I’ll guide you step-by-step. Join here → Meant to Be Confident

- Join my NEW Fac...

If you’ve ever corrected your daughter and then wondered if you just unintentionally hurt her self-esteem, this episode is for you. Today we’re talking about the power of pausing and how to use it to help you discipline with more calm, connection, and clarity. You’ll learn how to respond without shame, protect your relationship, and guide your daughter in a way that builds her self-worth.

xo, Kristen 

Mentioned in this episode:

- My Confidence Program for Girls/Moms: Learn simple tools that help your daughter build confidence and strengthe...

If parenting your tween or teen daughter feels harder lately, this episode is for you. Today, I’m sharing the roadmap behind Meant to Be Confident and why the right tools can change everything in this season of parenting.

You’ll hear the 3-step path I use to help moms and girls feel more confident and build a stronger connection: Understand, Grow, and Connect.

Join here

Watch the Raising Confident Girls Workshop replay here: Available through Sunday  (Passcode: jtr1YDx&)

Resources:

- Join my NEW Fa...

If you’ve been feeling unsure in this stage of parenting (second-guessing what to say, struggling to stay calm, or worrying about losing connection), you're not alone.

In this episode, I’m sharing a reminder you need to hear if parenting your tween or teen daughter has been feeling hard lately… it might just be that no one has shown you how to navigate this stage.

🧡 If this is what you’ve been feeling, I’d love to support you inside my free live workshop:

Raising Confident Girls

I’ll walk you thro...

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly taking care of everyone else… and there’s nothing left for you?

In this episode, I’m sharing what being forced to slow down reminded me about self-care, what actually matters, and how to start showing up more intentionally as a mom.

xo, Kristen 

🧡Want more support with this? Join me for my free Raising Confident Girls Workshop where I’ll walk you through simple ways to stay calm, confident, and connected with your daughter.

You can register here:
https://meanttobeme.org...

If your daughter is going through a hard season, I feel you. Whether she's been dropped by all of her "friends", anxiety has been taking over her life, she's struggling with body image, or something else... I want you to know that there's hope for better days ahead. Tune in to hear my story and how to support your daughter in the meantime. 

xo, Kristen 

Free Workshop for Moms - April 14th 10 AM Az/Pacific

If you’re raising a tween or teen daughter and want practical tools to stay confident, calm...

If you’ve ever had one of those mornings with your daughter where everything escalates and nothing you say seems to be helping, this episode is for you.

Today I’m sharing a real-life look at what happened, what I’m reminding myself in these moments, and why learning to pause is one of the most important things we can do when emotions take over... for both our daughters and ourselves.

You’re not doing it wrong. This is part of the journey! 

xo, Kristen 

Free Workshop for Moms - April 7t...

If your daughter has ever said something negative about herself (or you’ve had a feeling she might be thinking it), this episode is for you.

Because one of the hardest parts of parenting girls is watching them struggle with how they see themselves… and not knowing how to help.

In this episode, I’m sharing 3 things to remember when her confidence drops, and how to support her in a way that actually helps.

The best news? Confidence isn’t something she either has or doesn’t have... it’s something she’s building.

Most of us just want our daughters to be happy… but what if that’s not actually the goal?

What if there's something even better?

In this episode, we’re talking about why emotional resilience matters more than happiness and how helping your daughter handle uncomfortable feelings builds true confidence.

xo, Kristen 

Free Workshop for Moms

If you’re raising a tween or teen daughter and want practical tools to stay confident, calm, and connected during this stage, I’d love to invite you to my upcoming workshop:

If your daughter struggles with anxiety, you may feel like her world is getting smaller. School, friendships, and even the things she once loved can start to feel overwhelming.

And as a mom, it can be both heartbreaking and exhausting to watch. 

In this episode, I’m sharing from personal experience how to help support your daughter through anxiety while gently helping her build confidence and expand her world again.

xo, Kristen 

Free Workshop for Moms

If you’re raising a tween or teen daughter and want practic...

As girls get older, connection can become more of a challenge. Life gets busier, conversations can feel shorter, they are spending more time with friends, and many moms find themselves wondering how to stay close in this new stage of parenting.

In this episode, I’m sharing why 1-on-1 time still matters more than we think, and 3 simple ways to make it count.

Inspired by research and a reminder I needed myself, this episode will encourage you to keep connection simple, intentional, and present.

xo, Kristen 

Free Workshop for Moms...

Parenting tween and teen girls can feel surprisingly lonely.

When our kids were little, it felt so easy to talk openly with other moms about sleep struggles, feeding schedules, and tantrums. But as our daughters get older, many moms quietly find themselves navigating new challenges without the same level of support.

In this episode, we’re talking about why this can feel so isolating, and you’ll also hear a few gentle ways to start finding more support and connection as you figure out these years with your daughter.

If y...

I saw a popular post on Instagram this week claiming a girl’s confidence window closes at age 12, and a lot of parents were scared. 

If that’s true… what does it mean if your daughter is already 12, 14, or 16?

In this episode, we talk about what research actually says about girls’ confidence, why it often dips in the tween years, and why it’s not too late to help your daughter build her confidence. (Plus my favorite simple tips that make a big difference in her self-esteem!)

If you're here listening, you’re already doing...

Last week I was working on a new lesson for my course that asks moms to reflect on their own struggles as teenagers.

While I was thinking about some of my experiences, I ended up sharing a few of them with my daughters… and it turned into a really emotional and connecting moment I didn’t expect.

If you're navigating the ups and downs of raising a tween or teen daughter, this episode will encourage you to pause, reflect, and remember that connection often starts with understanding.

xo, Kristen 

Mentio...

Does your daughter struggle with making friends?

Maybe she freezes in conversations…
Only gives compliments…
Or doesn’t know what to say after “hi.”

If you’ve ever felt the ache of watching your daughter struggle socially, this episode will give you something practical to try.

I’m teaching you a simple social skills framework you can use at home:

Notice → Ask → Share

It’s a repeatable formula that helps girls:

Start conversations

Keep them going

Move beyond surface-level compliments

Build real connect...

Do you ever snap at your daughter and then immediately think,
“Why did I react like that?!” 

You're not alone.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about whythis happens, what triggers your nervous system, and how you can reset and repair afterwards. 

Because remember, confidence isn’t about not feeling big emotions.
It’s about being willing to feel them, and modeling that for your daughter.

xo, Kristen 

Mentioned in this episode:

- FREE GUIDE: Join my email insider list and start building her wor...

When I ask moms what they want most for their daughters, they nearly all say some version of: staying confident, being true to who they are, not trying to fit in, loving themselves, etc. 

In this episode, we’re talking about fitting in vs. belonging and three realistic ways to support your daughter on her journey towards the goal of belonging.

This is for moms who want to raise daughters with self-worth rooted in truth, who feel safe being themselves, and who know they can always find their way back when they feel the pull to...

Do you feel unsure how to connect with your daughter now that she’s growing into a tween or teen?

If connection felt easier when she was younger, you’re not alone. This parenting struggle is common, and yet it can still feel really hard!

In this episode, I share a simple connection hack that has made a big difference for me and for many moms I talk to: get into her thing.

We talk about why this approach works so well during the tween and teen years, how it builds both connection and...