MEANT TO BE CONFIDENT | Confident Daughters, Self-Esteem for Girls, Self-Worth, Mental Health for Tweens, Communication Tools, Navigating Friendships, Peer Pressure, Comparison

Have you ever found yourself yelling, worrying, or handing out a consequence you instantly regretted? You're not alone. In this episode, we’ll talk about what’s really happening when our girls test boundaries, how our reactions impact their confidence, and how to repair those hard moments with honesty and love.   You’ll learn: - Why testing limits is a normal part of her development - How to give yourself grace when you overreact - How to repair and reconnect after conflict - and empower her in the process   This is one you don't want to miss. It's so important! 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. I'm the teacher - you just get to sit back, learn, and connect! Join here → Meant to Be Confident - Upcoming Local Workshop: Thought Power 11/15   Resources:  - FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day - 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% - Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!                                          

If your daughter struggles with anxiety, you’ve probably seen how it chips away at her confidence. And it is so hard to watch as a mom! In this week’s episode, we’re discussing how to help her rebuild her inner belief in herself when fear starts to take over. You’ll learn: The first thing to say when she’s anxious. How to not "feed" her anxiety. Why celebrating brave moments matters more than big wins. What your daughter needs most are tools, connection, and someone who believes she can do hard things.  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 - Episode 19 - Worried About Your Daughter? All About Seeking Professional Help - Upcoming Local Workshop: Thought Power 11/15   Resources:  - FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day - 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% - Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!      

Come sit on my porch with me, and let's catch up! I'm giving you a quick overview of my powerful confidence framework I teach and leaving you with the three most important takeaways you need to know to help your daughter love herself today.  Because when she loves herself, it has a ripple effect on every other aspect of her life.    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 - My Favorite Self-Love Journals for Girls: A Self-Love Journal: 52 Weeks of Affirmation (Poppy) – Promptly Journals   Resources:  - FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day - 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% - Connect with me on Instagram @meanttobe.me for more tips and behind-the-scenes!  

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a simple friendship check-in activity that's so helpful. It’s an easy way to open up conversations about what makes a good friend, what doesn’t, and how to help your daughter reflect on her own friend group. Friendships can be tricky at this age, but with the right tools you can give your daughter confidence in who she chooses to spend her time with and build deeper connection between you along the way.   xo, Kristen    Mentioned in this episode: - Confident Friendship Workshop: If you’d love more support, my upcoming local class on October 18th is designed to help your daughter learn these tools in a fun, safe space alongside other girls her age. You can check it out here! Local Girls Workshop. - Episode 56 Stuck in the Middle: Helping Your Tween Navigate Changing Friendships Listen here - Episode 43 The Heartbreak of Friendship Struggles: How to Respond Instead of React Listen here    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.  

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and I wanted to talk about a heavy but hopeful topic: what parents can do before it’s ever a crisis. I’ll walk you through the four stages of suicide prevention, but we’ll focus most of our time on Stage 1, which is building connection and emotional health.   In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why “stage 1” is such a powerful prevention strategy - The top pressures teens face (bullying, substance use, family conflict) and how connection buffers against them - Simple daily prevention practices you can start today - Scripts you can use when your child shares something hard   You’ll walk away encouraged and empowered. This is about what you can do today to strengthen the safety net around your child.   xo, Kristen    Mentioned in this episode: - FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Available 24/7. - American Psychological Association (APA) Resources for parents - Light the Fight Podcast OG Therapy Podcast - Podcast - Apple Podcasts   Resources:  - 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.

Last week was a heavy week for many of us. Between local and national tragedies, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Our girls are watching, listening, and taking it all in too.    In today’s episode, I want to bring us back to a core belief that grounds me through weeks like this: every human being has innate worth. When we truly understand that - no matter what - it changes the way we love ourselves and the way we see others.   You’ll hear: - Why helping our girls see their own worth is so essential - Practical ways to help your daughter process disturbing news - How we can model respect and empathy when talking about people, especially those we disagree with - A reminder that while so much is out of our control, we really can make a difference in our own homes   This is why the work you’re doing here is so important. It doesn’t just change your daughter’s life; it has a ripple effect on everyone she touches.   Mentioned in this episode: - FREE: Start building her worth and confidence today → Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day   Resources:  - 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.

Is your daughter her own worst critic? Watching her be so hard on herself can feel so overwhelming as a mom. You want to help, but you’re not sure how. In today’s episode, we’re talking about why so many tween and teen girls struggle with perfectionism and what you can do to support your daughter when she feels like nothing she does is “good enough.”   You’ll learn: - Why perfectionism shows up so strongly for girls in these years - The hidden cost of being too hard on themselves (and how it affects their confidence) - Practical ways you can help your daughter shift from self-criticism to self-compassion   The good news is your daughter doesn’t need to let go of her high standards; she just needs to learn to see mistakes as part of growth!   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   Resources:  - FREE: Start building her 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.    

Have you ever tried all the right tools in the middle of your daughter’s meltdown…only to realize nothing seems to be helping?It’s frustrating and discouraging, but once you realize her brain can't take in new information when it's in fight-or-flight mode, it's a game-changer.   In today’s episode, I’m sharing what I wish I had known earlier about building my daughter’s emotional resilience: that the real work happens on the calm days. Just like learning to swim, our girls need to practice coping strategies in calm waters so they can use them when the storm hits.   You’ll learn simple ways to help your daughter: - Name and understand her emotions. - Create her top 3 calming strategies that actually work for her. - Practice those strategies regularly, even when everything feels fine.   If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who’s in the middle of the storm right now.  xo, Kristen    Mentioned in this episode: 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% 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:  Get started with my FREE guide: 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    

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%

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%

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.  

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%    

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%      

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%  

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      

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      

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!

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      

Have you ever felt pressure to make your summer look like everyone else's? Tune in to hear my approach to the summer slowdown, and also why it's the best season to build up your daughter's confidence! (All while making space to take care of yourself too.) xo, Kristen   My girls and I love these lettering workbooks! Get 10% off with code KRISTENARNETT - checks the summer creativity AND emotional health box! Shop here   Get started today with my free guide: Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day   NEW Summer Camp for local tween girls June 16-19th! Learn more and grab her spot here.    One-on-One Coaching - I'd love to support you in your specific struggles you're having with your daughter. Book Your Call Here    

Ahh how did this day finally arrive?! As I've been reflecting back on the past {almost} 18 years of raising of firstborn, I wanted to share some of my thoughts, feelings, and also lessons learned along the way. No matter how old your daughter is, I think you will find this {raw and emotional} episode helpful on your own parenting journey!  xo, Kristen   NEW Summer Camp for local tween girls! Learn more and grab her spot here.  One-on-One Coaching - I'd love to support you in your specific struggles you're having with your daughter. Book Your Call Here Get started today with my free guide: Five Simple Ways to Build Your Daughter's Self-Esteem in Five Minutes a Day