MEANT TO BE CONFIDENT | Confident Daughters, Self-Esteem for Girls, Self-Worth, Mental Health for Tweens, Communication Tools, Navigating Friendships, Peer Pressure, Comparison

72 - The Emotional Load of Raising Teen Girls (Life Lately & Real Talk)

Have you ever stopped to think about just how much of an emotional load we carry as moms, especially when our girls enter the teen years?
Life has been full lately, so in this episode I’m sharing a little “life lately,” some honest reflections on the emotional heaviness of raising teen girls, and a gentle reset as we head into a new year together. I’m also giving you a sneak peek at what’s coming soon for the podcast!
xo,Kristen
 
Mentioned in this episode:
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
- Slow, intentional living Instagram account I love: @wonderled.life
 
Resources: 
- My Confidence Course for Girls/Moms: Get all the videos, activities, and tools to help your daughter build her confidence and your connection. I'm the teacher - you just get to sit back, learn, and connect! Join here → Meant to Be Confident
- Hand Lettered Design’s Workbooks: One of our favorites in our home. They make it easy (and fun!) for girls to strengthen their mental health daily. Check them out here → Use code KRISTEN to save 10%
- Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!
 

71 - Connecting With Your Daughter Through Travel

In this episode, I’m sharing why travel can be such a powerful way to connect with your daughter, from our special 12-year-old solo trips to a recent girls’ trip with all three of my daughters. We'll also talk about how travel doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, including how I use travel points to make these experiences affordable! And most importantly, why even a simple overnight staycation can be a game-changer when your daughter is struggling and you need to reconnect.
xo, Kristen 
 
Mentioned in this episode:
- Best Christmas Show: If you can't make it to NYC to see the Rockettes with your daughter, this is the next best thing! Tempe Dance Academy Tickets | Event Dates & Schedule | Ticketmaster
- Learn more about travel points here: Annie Hall | Points & Miles • Family Travel Tips (@letstraveltalk) • Instagram photos and videos
- Favorite Card #1: Learn more here
- Favorite Card #2: Learn more here
- My Confidence Course for Girls/Moms: Get all the videos, activities, and tools to help your daughter build her confidence and your connection. I'm the teacher - you just get to sit back, learn, and connect! Join here → Meant to Be Confident
 
Resources: 
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
- GIFT IDEA Hand Lettered Design’s Workbooks: One of our favorites in our home. They make it easy (and fun!) for girls to practice their calming strategies daily. Check them out here → Use code KRISTEN to save 10%
- Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!
 
 

69 - Not Sure How to Connect with Your Daughter as She Grows? Try This Read-Aloud Ritual

Did you love reading picture books and snuggling up with your kids when they were little, but now you don't know how to connect during the tween/teen years? You're not alone.
In this episode, I'm talking about why reading aloud is STILL one of the most powerful ways to connect with your daughters. Inspired by The Read-Aloud Family, you’ll learn the surprising research behind why this will build both confidence and connection. 
You’ll also walk away with 3 simple, doable steps to start reading aloud today… even if you’re busy, even if she’s older, and even if it’s been years.
xo, Kristen
 
Mentioned in this episode:
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
- My Confidence Course for Girls/Moms: Get all the videos, activities, and tools to help your daughter build her confidence and your connection. I'm the teacher - you just get to sit back, learn, and connect! Join here → Meant to Be Confident
- Favorite Books: Read Aloud Handbook, The Read Aloud Family 
 
Resources: 
- Hand Lettered Design’s Workbooks: One of our favorites in our home. They make it easy (and fun!) for girls to practice calming strategies daily. Check them out here → Use code KRISTEN to save 10%
- Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!
 
 

70 - Worried About Your Daughter? 3 Reasons to Have Hope

Are you currently watching your daughter struggle with school anxiety, girls being mean to her, or not belonging, and it's breaking your heart?
Whatever hard season she's going through, I want to offer you three quick messages of hope to hang onto that she will get through this. Don't miss this listen.
Sending love to both of you!
xo, Kristen 
 
Mentioned in this episode:
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
- My Confidence Course for Girls/Moms: Get all the videos, activities, and tools to help your daughter build her confidence and your connection. I'm the teacher - you just get to sit back, learn, and connect! Join here → Meant to Be Confident
 
Resources: 
- GIFT IDEA Hand Lettered Design’s Workbooks: One of our favorites in our home. They make it easy (and fun!) for girls to practice their calming strategies daily. Check them out here → Use code KRISTEN to save 10%
- Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!
 
 

68 - When You React Instead of Respond: How to Reconnect and Rebuild Confidence After the Messy Moments

Have you ever found yourself yelling, worrying, or handing out a consequence you instantly regretted? You're not alone.
In this episode, we’ll talk about what’s really happening when our girls test boundaries, how our reactions impact their confidence, and how to repair those hard moments with honesty and love.
 
You’ll learn:
- Why testing limits is a normal part of her development
- How to give yourself grace when you overreact
- How to repair and reconnect after conflict - and empower her in the process
 
This is one you don't want to miss. It's so important!
xo, Kristen 
 
Mentioned in this episode:
- My Confidence Course for Girls/Moms: Get all the videos, activities, and tools to help your daughter build her confidence and your connection. I'm the teacher - you just get to sit back, learn, and connect! Join here → Meant to Be Confident
- Upcoming Local Workshop: Thought Power 11/15
 
Resources: 
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
- Hand Lettered Design’s Workbooks: One of our favorites in our home. They make it easy (and fun!) for girls to practice calming strategies daily. Check them out here → Use code KRISTEN to save 10%
- Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

67 - When Anxiety Shakes Her Confidence

If your daughter struggles with anxiety, you’ve probably seen how it chips away at her confidence. And it is so hard to watch as a mom!
In this week’s episode, we’re discussing how to help her rebuild her inner belief in herself when fear starts to take over.
You’ll learn:
The first thing to say when she’s anxious.
How to not "feed" her anxiety.
Why celebrating brave moments matters more than big wins.
What your daughter needs most are tools, connection, and someone who believes she can do hard things. 
xo, Kristen 
 
Mentioned in this episode:
- My Confidence Course for Girls/Moms: Get all the videos, activities, and tools to help your daughter build her confidence and your connection.  Join here → Meant to Be Confident
- Episode 19 - Worried About Your Daughter? All About Seeking Professional Help
- Upcoming Local Workshop: Thought Power 11/15
 
Resources: 
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
- Hand Lettered Design’s Workbooks: One of our favorites in our home. They make it easy (and fun!) for girls to practice calming strategies daily. Check them out here → Use code KRISTEN to save 10%
- Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!
 
 
 

66 - The 3 Most Important Things Your Daughter Needs to Know About Confidence

Come sit on my porch with me, and let's catch up! I'm giving you a quick overview of my powerful confidence framework I teach and leaving you with the three most important takeaways you need to know to help your daughter love herself today. 
Because when she loves herself, it has a ripple effect on every other aspect of her life. 
 
xo, Kristen 
 
Mentioned in this episode:
- My Confidence Course for Girls/Moms: Get all the videos, activities, and tools to help your daughter build her confidence and your connection.  Join here → Meant to Be Confident
- My Favorite Self-Love Journals for Girls: A Self-Love Journal: 52 Weeks of Affirmation (Poppy) – Promptly Journals
 
Resources: 
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
- Hand Lettered Design’s Workbooks: One of our favorites in our home. They make it easy (and fun!) for girls to practice calming strategies daily. Check them out here → Use code KRISTEN to save 10%
- Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!
 

65 - Is Your Daughter in Healthy Friendships? Try this Simple Check-In

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a simple friendship check-in activity that's so helpful. It’s an easy way to open up conversations about what makes a good friend, what doesn’t, and how to help your daughter reflect on her own friend group.
Friendships can be tricky at this age, but with the right tools you can give your daughter confidence in who she chooses to spend her time with and build deeper connection between you along the way.
 
xo, Kristen 
 
Mentioned in this episode:
- Confident Friendship Workshop: If you’d love more support, my upcoming local class on October 18th is designed to help your daughter learn these tools in a fun, safe space alongside other girls her age. You can check it out here! Local Girls Workshop.
- Episode 56 Stuck in the Middle: Helping Your Tween Navigate Changing Friendships Listen here
- Episode 43 The Heartbreak of Friendship Struggles: How to Respond Instead of React Listen here 
 
Resources: 
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
- My Confidence Course for Girls/Moms: Get all the videos, activities, and tools to help your daughter build her confidence and your connection.  Join here → Meant to Be Confident
- Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!
- Sign Up for One-on-One Coaching - I'd love to support you in your specific struggles you're having with your daughter. Book Your Call Here.
 

64 - Suicide Prevention Month: Why Stage 1 Matters

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and I wanted to talk about a heavy but hopeful topic: what parents can do before it’s ever a crisis.
I’ll walk you through the four stages of suicide prevention, but we’ll focus most of our time on Stage 1, which is building connection and emotional health.
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why “stage 1” is such a powerful prevention strategy
- The top pressures teens face (bullying, substance use, family conflict) and how connection buffers against them
- Simple daily prevention practices you can start today
- Scripts you can use when your child shares something hard
 
You’ll walk away encouraged and empowered. This is about what you can do today to strengthen the safety net around your child.
 
xo, Kristen 
 
Mentioned in this episode:
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Available 24/7.
- American Psychological Association (APA) Resources for parents
- Light the Fight Podcast OG Therapy Podcast - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
 
Resources: 
- My Confidence Course for Girls/Moms: Get all the videos, activities, and tools to help your daughter build her confidence and your connection.  Join here → Meant to Be Confident
- Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!
- Sign Up for One-on-One Coaching - I'd love to support you in your specific struggles you're having with your daughter. Book Your Call Here.

63 - Why Human Worth Matters - Especially in Heavy Times

Last week was a heavy week for many of us. Between local and national tragedies, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Our girls are watching, listening, and taking it all in too. 
 
In today’s episode, I want to bring us back to a core belief that grounds me through weeks like this: every human being has innate worth. When we truly understand that - no matter what - it changes the way we love ourselves and the way we see others.
 
You’ll hear:
- Why helping our girls see their own worth is so essential
- Practical ways to help your daughter process disturbing news
- How we can model respect and empathy when talking about people, especially those we disagree with
- A reminder that while so much is out of our control, we really can make a difference in our own homes
 
This is why the work you’re doing here is so important. It doesn’t just change your daughter’s life; it has a ripple effect on everyone she touches.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
 
Resources: 
- My Confidence Course for Girls/Moms: Get all the videos, activities, and tools to help your daughter build her confidence and your connection.  Join here → Meant to Be Confident
- Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!
- Sign Up for One-on-One Coaching - I'd love to support you in your specific struggles you're having with your daughter. Book Your Call Here.