A New Year’s Resolution for Parents
The start of every new calendar year is a traditional time to make New Year’s Resolutions. Whether to lose 10 pounds, visit more museums, or be on time for appointments. January 1st is also a good time to reflect on what is important to us in our personal and professional lives.
As parents we also may reflect on how we want to guide our children in the new year. As our children grow each new year brings opportunities for teaching our children something new about themselves or about the world around them. At Dot Girl, we highly recommend that parents educate daughters about their bodies and what to expect as their bodies change.
These conversations are never easy, so we’ve put together a list of websites and books that might be helpful in getting your started. We hope you find the resources useful as you navigate this new year with your daughter.
Center for Young Women’s Health
Founded in 1998 the mission of this website “is to help teen girls, their parents, teachers and health care providers improve their understanding of normal health and development, as well as of specific diseases and conditions”. The site includes a health guide from A to Z in English and Spanish along with online chat sessions and the TeenSpeak Blog. Your daughter can find answers here on her own or with your guidance.
Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Teen
This book, published by the American Medical Association, includes information on puberty and what kinds of physical and emotional changes your daughter can expect, the importance of eating the right foods, the reproductive system and how to be safe, happy and healthy through the teenage years.