Girls, Women, and Wellness

Examining the health of girls and women, from dating to eating disorders.

Laura Choate Ed.D., LPC

A Stab to the Heart: Mothering Middle Schoolers

Does parenting a middle-schooler sometimes feel like a stab to the heart? A few strategies for helping parents cope.

Mean Girls Turns 15: The Perpetuation of Mean Girl Culture

The Mean Girls movie is 15 years old this year. Why does it seem as relevant as ever? And what can parents do to help their daughters to navigate "mean girl culture"?

Social Media: Why Does it Make Us Feel More Lonely?

Can too much social media use lead to depression and loneliness? A new study says yes, but here's what you can do to increase your resilience.

13 and Depressed: Why Young Teen Girls Are at Risk

By age 13, girls are twice as likely as boys to be diagnosed with depression. Why is this the case? What can parents do to help their daughters cope during this difficult time?

Caution, Moms: Your Daughters Are Listening

It’s summer. For millions of women, wearing a bathing suit in public is agonizing. Do we keep beating ourselves up or try something new this year for the sake of our daughters?

Beyond Bikini Madness: Parents, Daughters, and Swimsuits

Its swimsuit season and sexy bikinis are all the rage for young girls. Not sure about saying "no"? Here's help for deciding what choices are right for your family.

The Myth of Multitasking

Do you and your children multitask your way through the day? Here's why it might not be the best strategy for your family.

Why Will Future College Students Lack Resilience?

If today's college students lack resilience, then starting to parent younger kids for future resilience makes a lot of sense. What parenting style will help most?

What's Happening With Barbie's Body?

Have you seen the new cover of Time Magazine about Barbie's new shape? Here's what it means for parents.

Why is Parent Self-Care So Important?

Why do parents of tween and adolescent girls need to be more intentional about self-care in our busy culture? The answers might surprise you.

Why Are Media Beauty Ideals Toxic for Our Daughters?

It is important for parents to know that there is a direct relationship between the amount of time that girls spend viewing media images and whether or not they will have negative body image. And we know that negative body image is related to many other problems like low self-esteem, depression, excessive dieting, and eating disorders. Some practical strategies to try.

Why Is My Daughter Pushing Me Away?

The eye rolling. The door slamming. Sometimes connection and communication may seem all but impossible with your adolescent daughter. You wonder: What happened to the days when she was bursting with excitement to tell me about her day? A few strategies can go a long way to help you bolster your resolve for connection.

Why Are Little Girls' Halloween Costumes Still So Sexy?

I just read about the concerned mom who wrote a letter to Party City, outraged about this year's Halloween costumes for little girls. She was particularly furious about a sexy police girl costume marketed to young girls. I agree. Every year when I take my daughter Halloween costume shopping, I wonder how this hot and sexy trend for young girls will impact girls' futures...

Want Less Silent Treatment and More Talking?

Tired of the silent treatment, slammed doors, and eye rolling from your adolescent daughter? Here are 4 strategies that can help open the door to better communication.

"Like" Me: Why Girls Need More Breaks from Social Media

As a parent you are probably thinking that this constant pressure to be “Liked” sounds like an exhausting way to live. Who can relax when everything you say and do is analyzed, photographed, posted for an audience, and evaluated? To feel you have to be on at all times,and if you go for too long without checking your phone or computer, life might leave you behind?

Connecting With Your Children in a Disconnected Culture

While parents are more kid-focused than ever, it seems ironic that today’s children say they feel disconnected from their parents and wish their parents would spend more time really listening to them. It is also ironic that in a culture in which we are constantly connected via technology, families have become ever more disconnected...

Relentless Cultural Pressures for Today's Girls

The question remains: Are girls truly thriving as never before? The answer is both yes and no. Yes, girls certainly have unprecedented opportunities available to them. Yes, many are walking through open doors that were closed to previous generations. Yet an insidious pressure has crept in alongside these opportunities: To be a success, girls, you have to do it all...

Dads: What's Your Impact on Your Daughter's Body Image?

The bottom line is this: Dads: you make a significant difference in how your daughter will feel about her body and appearance, as well as her overall self esteem. Consider some of the following strategies to help your daughter maintain a positive body image throughout her girlhood and adolescence...

Moms: What Will Your Body Image Legacy Be?

Here is the reality: It can be damaging to our daughters if we are critical of our own appearance. I know this is a sobering thought for all moms. One of the best predictors of whether a girl will have negative body image is if her mother has negative body image...

Top 3 Ways to Cope with Your Daughter's Swimsuit Drama

Summer is here and it’s time for swimsuit shopping with your daughter. To your chagrin, perhaps this will be the year when you hear: “Mom, I’m too fat to wear this!” “My stomach looks gross in this bikini!" It’s hard to know what to say and do in these moments. There are some essential words and attitudes for you to express, while there are some definite phrases to avoid: