What to Expect When Breasts Bud

What to Expect When Breasts Bud

I know this is a blog focused on parenting through puberty, but this time, I have an article written directly to young girls. Consider this indirect parenting advice.  I wrote it because kids don’t always tell their parents what they’re worried about. But through...
Can We Prevent Depression in Girls?

Can We Prevent Depression in Girls?

 I prefer the term “vigilant” over “paranoid,” but I worry about depression – a lot. With 3 daughters, it’s a personal worry. With thousands of female adolescent patients, it’s also a professional worry.  Why do I worry?  📌 It’s common. Among teens, 1 in 7 will...
She’s Tired. Is Caffeine Helping Her?

She’s Tired. Is Caffeine Helping Her?

I’m on my second “cup” of coffee as I write this. And since I like  a big mug, I’m approaching about 300 mg of caffeine this morning. ☕️☕️ In a little while, wide-eyed and ready for my day, I’ll drive past our local high school where I’ll see lots of students walking...
Have You Seen Inside Out 2?

Have You Seen Inside Out 2?

by Cara Reeves, PhD, Girlology's Director of Mental Wellness I admit it; I’m obsessed with the new Inside Out 2 movie. As a psychologist, I have to say that the creators (Dave Holstein, Kelsey Mann, Megan LeFauve) NAILED IT! The story gives a perfect depiction of the...
What is She Learning about Friendships?

What is She Learning about Friendships?

Recently, I invited some girlfriends from college and my young adult years to soak in a lake and the comfort, laughter, and nostalgia of deep-rooted friendships. These are friends I don’t see enough, but we know each others' histories so well, we always pick up where...
She’s Not Too Young to Learn about Sex

She’s Not Too Young to Learn about Sex

If you haven’t told your child about sex by 4th grade, I hope you'll read this.  Every year, I seem to get at least one phone call from a panic-stricken mom with a child in the third or fourth grade. It usually goes something like this (in a flustered whisper)…...
Bothered by Her Moods & Attitudes?

Bothered by Her Moods & Attitudes?

When my youngest daughter was 14, there were times she was on the brink of independence and other times she was clinging to childhood. She could be wildly confusing but also so logical and insightful it blew my mind.  She was loud.    She was quiet.       She was...
Should You Point Out Her Acne?

Should You Point Out Her Acne?

When it comes to adolescent acne, there’s a progression that’s pretty typical as puberty begins: oily skin > blackheads > pimples > and some will advance to full-blown acne. Gee thanks, hormones 🙄 As parents, we may cringe inside at the first sight of acne on...
She Deserves Better Sex Ed

She Deserves Better Sex Ed

 I meet a lot of parents through Girlology and in my own community who still assume their child’s school will teach them something about puberty and reproductive health. That’s a pretty normal expectation. In fact, according to Girlology’s recent research, over 50% of...