The Brave Girl Blog Navigating Friendship Challenges and Confidence

Middle and high school can be some of the most challenging years in your daughter’s life.

Between the academic pressures, changing social dynamics, and the search for independence, these years often come with struggles to find meaningful friendships and a sense of belonging. As a parent, you may feel helpless watching your daughter navigate these challenges. But there is hope—connection and community can make all the difference.

Why Connection Matters
Having a strong sense of connection is more than just about having friends. It’s about feeling valued, understood, and supported by others. Research shows that young people who feel connected to a peer group experience lower levels of stress, increased confidence, and improved overall well-being. These connections teach vital social skills, like communication and conflict resolution, that will benefit your daughter for years to come.

The Power of Group Support

I firmly believe in the transformative power of community...

December is a month full of excitement, anticipation, and, for many high school seniors, ANXIETY.

For students who applied to colleges for early action or early decision, December 15th is a pivotal date when many colleges send out their admissions decisions. This year, as I walk through this process with my son—also a senior—I’m acutely aware of how these moments can shape not only the future but also the present emotional well-being of our children.

For many students, the college application process is an all-consuming journey: A carefully curated portfolio of advanced classes, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and countless hours of preparation. So, when the time comes to open that letter or email from their dream school, it feels like everything hinges on the outcome. The stakes feel high, and for many girls, this process is even more emotionally charged.

But what happens if the letter says "NO"?

The sting of a college rejection can feel...

Inspiring Conversations: Supporting Your Daughter Through Relationship Decisions

In my last blog, I shared insights on how to support your daughter through her first breakup.  Afterward, a thoughtful reader reached out with a story many parents might relate to: her daughter was grappling with a difficult decision—whether to break up with her boyfriend, who, by all accounts, is a "nice guy."

It’s a tricky situation, isn’t it? How do you guide your daughter when the relationship isn’t “bad,” but something still feels off? Let’s explore how to approach these nuanced conversations.

It can be hard to know when it is time to break up or move on from a relationship. Many girls face complex emotions when considering ending a relationship. Concerns about how their dating partner will react, how they will be perceived by others, and the potential impact on existing friendships can make the decision particularly challenging.

They may worry...

I recently helped one of my coaching clients navigate her first breakup—a painful but significant milestone for so many of us. I can still remember my own first heartbreak back in 1990. At the time, Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U was all over the radio, and it quickly became my heartbreak anthem. To this day, I hear that song and feel the tug of those old emotions.

Because heartbreak is such a universal experience, it’s no wonder that watching our daughters go through it can be especially tough. We might worry about how this breakup will impact her—whether it will shake her confidence or make her wary of future relationships. The impulse to shield her from pain is natural, but the truth is, these experiences can also be powerful opportunities for growth. With the right support, she can come through this stronger and more resilient.

Here are some compassionate, research-backed ways to help your daughter heal and find her strength...

Do you have multiple teenagers living in your house?

If you do have multiple teenagers  I admire you and I'm scared to even ask how many hours you spend in your car each week just driving your kids to all of their activities.

It is so hard dividing our time and attention equally when we have multiple children and when each child has their own set of activities and needs, it can feel like a constant juggling act. I know the busyness of life and the running around can leave us wondering if we’re truly able to make each of our children feel loved and supported.

I was recently reminded of this during a conversation with a dear friend, Ella. She shared a story that many of us can relate to. Ella’s sister, Kim, faced a scheduling conflict: she couldn't attend her daughter Emma’s field hockey game because she was already committed to supporting her son at his football game. Determined to ensure that both her children felt supported, Kim asked Ella to step in and...

Has your daughter experienced a friend who seems to be quietly trying to turn others against her?

Perhaps this friend shares negative stories about your daughter when she isn’t around or makes subtle, backhanded comments in front of their friends.

Maybe your daughter has tried to talk to this friend to understand why she’s acting this way, only to be met with denial or no clear explanation.

This kind of behavior often comes from insecurity; the friend may be afraid others will like your daughter more and, in trying to avoid feeling left out, resort to behaviors that undermine your daughter.

If your daughter is dealing with a friend like this, it can be painful and confusing to navigate. Here are some ways you can support her through this challenging experience—helping her stay confident, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen her positive friendships.

The first step in supporting your daughter is helping her to become aware of the signs of insecure, sabotaging...

This past Saturday, my son Logan and I participated in The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Washington, DC.

In 2008, my family suffered a tremendous loss when we lost my father to suicide. Since then, my sisters and I have made it our mission to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. My sister, Sarah Kurtz, chaired this year’s DC walk, and I couldn’t be prouder of the work she’s done.

Through this journey, I’ve learned just how critical it is to have open conversations about mental health, especially when it comes to our children and teens.

One of the greatest challenges in addressing mental health is the stigma that surrounds it. Many children and teens feel isolated and afraid to speak up about their feelings. By fostering open conversations, we can help normalize these discussions and ensure they feel safe to reach out for help.

It’s important to be aware of changes in...

Is your daughter struggling with a mean or disrespectful friend in her group?

Many girls I work with in coaching share this same challenge. It's heartbreaking to see how deeply it affects them, especially within their friendships.

Together, we explore why some people behave this way and, most importantly, how your daughter can respond with confidence and strength. By learning these skills, she can take back control of the situation and feel more empowered in her relationships.

When someone is mean or intentionally condescending, their goal is often to get an emotional reaction. They feel powerful when they provoke a response from others, and that reaction gives them the control they want.

Encouraging your daughter to recognize this can be a game-changer. Instead of reacting emotionally—whether by defending herself or becoming apologetic— Use these 6 steps

1. Pause Before Reacting: The first thing your daughter can do when someone is mean or condescending. By...

It can be so tough supporting our daughters through their ups and downs. I know that it can feel overwhelming at times, especially when it seems like we’re carrying the weight of their emotions.

That’s why this week, I recorded a podcast episode just for you on How To Handle Your Daughter's Tough Emotions Without Feeling Overwhelmed: Tips for Moms. 

In the episode, we explore what emotional dumping looks like, how to spot when it’s happening, and, most importantly, how to guide our daughters toward handling their own emotions in healthy ways. If you're short on time, here’s a sneak peek at some key takeaways that you can apply today:

1. Venting or Problem-Solving?

One of the most helpful ways to manage these tough conversations is to ask your daughter, "Do you just want to vent, or are you looking for advice?" This simple question sets the tone, so you're not left guessing whether she wants a listening ear or help...

In our ongoing conversation about the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, this week we're tackling a particularly tricky subject that many of us encounter: passive-aggressive behavior in our teens.

Building on our previous discussion about supporting our daughters through passive-aggressive friendships, if you didn't get a chance to read last week's newsletter check out our blog post on The 5 Signs That Your Daughter Has A Passive Aggressive Friend.

Let's explore how these behaviors can emerge at home and what we can do to address them effectively.

What is Passive-Aggressive Behavior?

Passive-aggressive behavior is often a form of expressing anger or resentment indirectly. This can manifest through sarcasm, procrastination, or silent forms of resistance like the silent treatment or subtle sabotage. It's a sign that our teens may struggle with openly communicating their frustrations, often due to feelings of insecurity or an underdeveloped ability to...