RAISING CONFIDENT TEEN DAUGHTERS | Self-Esteem, Self-Worth, Mental Health Education, Parenting, Friendship, Comparison
Do you ever worry about your daughter losing her spark?
Are you unsure how to parent in this new tween or teen season without passing down your own insecurities or accidentally saying the wrong thing?
Maybe you’re watching her navigate anxiety, friendship drama, or even bullying, and you’re not always sure what to say, how to help, or when to step in. Parenting suddenly feels less physical and much more emotional, and you just want to stay connected while doing this stage right.
If you’ve ever thought, “I just want her to be herself and actually open up to me,” you’re in the right place.
Welcome to Raising Confident Teen Daughters, the podcast that helps you connect with your daughter so she can thrive.
Each week, you’ll learn practical, research-based ways to support your daughter through confidence dips, big emotions, friendship struggles, and the messy, beautiful work of growing up. We’ll talk about what to say in the hard moments, how to stay connected as she changes, and how to grow your own confidence as her mom.
I’m Kristen - former educator, confidence coach, and mom of three teen girls and one little boy. I know how heavy it can feel when your daughter is struggling. I’ve watched my own girls navigate this stage, and I’ve felt that same, “I don’t know what to do” panic so many moms feel.
For a long time, I did what came naturally - freaking out, giving advice, and trying to fix things when it all felt too big. But I learned that supporting her starts with slowing down, stepping back, and parenting with more calm and clarity, even when things feel hard.
Now, I help moms do the same.
If you want to feel more equipped, be able to respond with confidence, and stay deeply connected as your daughter grows, this podcast is for you.
So grab your drink, take a breath, and let’s walk this season together.
You’re not alone. And even through the hard times she can learn to thrive, with you by her side.
xo, Kristen
Learn - https://meanttobeme.org/
Connect - https://www.instagram.com/meanttobe.me/
Listen on:
Episodes
Friday Aug 29, 2025
Friday Aug 29, 2025
Does your daughter ever roll her eyes or act like she doesn’t want you around? As moms, we often think our girls don’t need as much affection as they grow, but the truth is...they actually need it more!
In this episode, I’ll share why hugging your daughter is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to validate her feelings, build a stronger connection, and boost her self-esteem. You’ll learn:
- The surprising scientific benefits of hugging.
- How to incorporate more hugs into your daily life.
- Other simple ways to validate your daughter when she resists physical affection.
xo, Kristen
Mentioned in this episode:
Get started with my FREE guide:
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
Resources:
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
Hand Lettered Design’s Workbooks: A creative outlet for processing emotions while learning to hand letter. It's a favorite in our home! Check it out here → Use code KRISTENARNETT to save 10%
Friday Aug 22, 2025
Friday Aug 22, 2025
Has your daughter started making little comments about her body changing? Things like “I feel fat” or “I don’t like how I look”?
If so, you’re not alone. Today’s girls are growing up in a “Sephora world” where beauty standards are louder than ever, and it can feel overwhelming to know how to help her love herself.
In this episode of Meant to Be Confident, I’ll walk you through:
- Why negative body comments happen
- How these new cultural pressures are shaping the way our daughters see themselves
- A simple, free activity you can do with your daughter TODAY to help her see her true beauty - inside and out.
Because when you can guide her through these moments now, you’re planting seeds of lifelong confidence.
xo, Kristen
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 51 Don't Make This Mistake When Your Daughter Says She Doesn't Like the Way She Looks
Watch this Dove experiment with your daughter: "Choose Beautiful"
Print these pages and do the activity together!
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
Resources:
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
- 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.
- 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%
Friday Aug 15, 2025
Friday Aug 15, 2025
Your daughter’s emotions can feel big (and sometimes overwhelming!) for both of you.
But what if, instead of trying to calm her down right away, you could help her ride those emotions like a wave…and come out calmer, more confident, and more connected on the other side?
In today’s episode, I’m sharing my favorite “wave analogy” from our girls’ confidence workshops and my own parenting journey. You’ll walk away with 3 simple steps to help your daughter feel her feelings in healthy ways - a skill that will help her for the rest of her life.
We’ll cover:
The ocean wave analogy that clicks instantly for kids and teens.
How to name and normalize emotions so your daughter feels safe to share.
Practical ways to “ride the wave” without shutting down or exploding.
How to guide her in a way that empowers her to process all her feelings.
Whether your daughter is 8 or 16, these tools can help her manage big emotions and strengthen your relationship in the process.
You've got this!
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
- 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%
Resources:
- FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
- 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.
Friday Aug 08, 2025
Friday Aug 08, 2025
It's back-to-school season, and that means a return to different schedules, rhythms, and activities! I'm walking you through my process I have refined over the years (that I LOVE) of creating my fall schedule with intention. You'll learn how to create a "confidence map" for both you and your daughter, and then how to use it as your guide to designing the life you both want. So grab a notebook and pencil, get cozy, and let's get started!
xo, Kristen
Mentioned in this episode:
- Learn how to create Your Confidence Maps Listen to Episode 5 here and Download the printables here
- Need more help with your schedule? Learn more about time blocking and systems from Chelsi Jo
- Want to help your daughter start the new school year with confidence? Get the guide for scripts of what to say, fun printables, object lesson/role plays, and more! Back-to-School Confidence Boost
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.
- 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%
Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
Whether her best friend moves away or the group she's hung out with forever moves on without her, few things are harder to watch her go through than this. The loneliness is hard, and this is for sure a time when she needs you the most. But often our default is to try and fix the situation which rarely leads to good results. Listen in to find out how to handle this all in a much better way that will leave her feeling confident and connected.
xo, Kristen
Mentioned in this episode:
- Want to help your daughter start the new school year with confidence? Get the guide for scripts of what to say, fun printables, object lesson/role plays, and more! Back-to-School Confidence Boost
- Get My Favorite Travel Card (Sapphire Preferred) to adventure with your daughter: Chase Sapphire Card Collection | Chase.com
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.
- 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%
Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
If your daughter is struggling with going back to school, you need these tools! This episode is packed with simple, actionable ways for you to boost her confidence during a time when she really needs it. From helping with her thoughts and feelings to self-worth and friendship issues - it's all here. And chances are, you could use these tools to help with your own anxieties about the new school year. I've got you both.
xo, Kristen
Mentioned in this episode:
- Get the guide that goes along with this episode for scripts of what to say, fun printables, object lesson/role plays, and more! Back-to-School Confidence Boost
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.
- Hand Lettered Design’s Workbooks: One of our favorites summer boredom activities. They make it easy (and fun!) for girls to practice calming strategies daily. Check them out here → Use code KRISTEN to save 10%
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
You're doing all the right things to build her confidence, yet she's still trying to "change herself" to fit in with friends. You're not alone in this struggle! Tune in to find out why this is happening and what you can do to help anchor your daughter from drifting too far from who she is meant to be.
xo, Kristen
Get My Favorite Travel Card (Sapphire Preferred) to adventure with your daughter:
Chase Sapphire Card Collection | Chase.com
Listen to the Confidence Map podcast episode:
Episode 5
Join the mother/daughter experience to build a stronger connection with your confident daughter in just 3 weeks.
Join Meant To Be Confident Here
Get started with my FREE guide:
Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
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
Favorite Summer Boredom Activity: (Use code KRISTENARNETT to save 10%) - My girls have learned to hand letter from these books, and I love the focus they have on mental health.
Mindful Lettering Workbooks
Friday Jun 27, 2025
Friday Jun 27, 2025
Have you ever projected your past insecurities and fears from your teen years onto your girls, when in fact, they don't have the same struggles? This is so common. Listen in to hear some examples of how this might be showing up in your parenting, when it's not helpful, and what to try instead.
xo, Kristen
Favorite Summer Boredom Activity: (Use code KRISTENARNETT to save 10%) - My girls have learned to hand letter from these books, and I love the focus they have on mental health.
Mindful Lettering Workbooks
Join the mother/daughter experience to build a stronger connection with your confident daughter in just 3 weeks.
Join Meant To Be Confident Here
Get started with my FREE guide:
Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
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
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
This one might surprise you because it's sooo easy to forget about: taking care of YOU. After my therapist reminded me of this last week, I knew I needed to record an episode about it. This is an especially important concept for us moms to remember during the summers when we are pulled so many directions with our kiddos!
xo, Kristen
Get started today with my free guide: Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
One-on-One Coaching - I'd love to support you in your specific struggles you're having with your daughter. Book Your Call Here
Mindful Lettering Workbooks (Use code KRISTENARNETT to save 10%) - My girls have learned to hand letter from these books, and I love the focus they have on mental health. Such a great calming tool and activity for the summer!
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
It literally breaks our hearts as moms when we hear our girls say they're ugly, fat, etc. and our default reaction is to tell them how beautiful they are. However the timing of when we tell them that matters, as well as what we say before and after. Listen in to hear the framework for exactly what to say when this happens in your home so you're prepared to respond in a way that builds both connection and confidence.
xo, Kristen
LAST CHANCE to join Summer Confidence Camp for local tween girls June 16-19th! Learn more and grab her spot here.
Get started today with my free guide: Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day
One-on-One Coaching - I'd love to support you in your specific struggles you're having with your daughter. Book Your Call Here