Ep. 126: Connecting with our Daughters

<p>In this episode, I'm joined by my good friend and longtime camp industry colleague, Brooke Cheley-Klebe. Both of us have three daughters, so we've had a lot of discussion over the years about raising girls. In this episode, Brooke and I talk about how she stays close to her daughters, currently ages 14, 11, and 7.  She has many insights both as a mom and from her 25 years working with campers and staff at Cheley Colorado Camps.</p> <p>Parenting girls today is more challenging than ever. We can all use new ideas and insights, and Brooke has some simple strategies to stay close to her girls.</p> <ul> <li>Parents and caregivers can help their daughters become thriving adults by focusing on our connection and relationship with our daughters.</li> <li>Show up in those little moments, such as having breakfast together, bedtime, driving in the car. Make eye contact, and connect.</li> <li>Rituals--especially around bedtime--are important anchors in your relationship with your children.</li> <li>Help girls understand that they're enough just the way they are. It's more important to be authentic than perfect.</li> <li>Teach them about practicing a growth mindset and model positive self-talk.</li> <li>In conversations, connect with fun questions that focus on their thoughts and feelings rather than their achievements, like grades and scores.</li> <li>Practices like meditation, setting intentions, being present and expressing gratitude, help to create an environment where kids, especially our daughters, thrive.</li> <li>Find hobbies, fun things to do so that our kids can see us enjoying life.</li> </ul>