On this recent podcast episode we're going to dive deep into the topic of raising a powerful girl and the importance of building a strong and close relationship with your daughter.

As a parent, it's crucial to reflect on your own experiences as a teenager and how they shape your parenting style. It's essential to understand why building a close connection and communication with your daughter is important to you. Understanding your 'why' can help you make decisions, communicate more effectively, and connect more deeply with your daughter.

In a recent poll conducted in my Facebook group, many moms shared their experiences with connecting and communicating with another trusted female figure or mother in their life during their teenage years. It was interesting to see that many had a female figure in their life that they felt close to but did not feel comfortable talking to about tough subjects like sex, relationships, or drugs. Others did not have a female figure in their life at all. This is why we aim to be a safe female role model, mother figure, or woman figure to our daughters or girls in our life. We want to create a safe and comfortable space where they can talk to us about anything.

One of the reasons why moms struggle to communicate with their daughters is that they find it hard to talk about difficult topics. However, it's crucial to have these conversations frequently to create a safe space where your daughter can talk to you about anything. Start by practicing with a close friend or partner and use humor to keep things light. You can also share stories or information you find online to help your daughter relate to the topic. Storytelling is a great way to convey a message and make it memorable and relatable.

Remember, building a close relationship with your daughter takes time and effort. It's about being present, listening actively, and creating a safe space where your daughter can open up to you. It's also important to show up in the manner that you need. As a parent, you can apply that look at how you're showing up in your relationship with your girl, or where you need to tweak, is a great first start into making those shifts that are needed to create that connection that you need. It doesn't have to be something big. Remember, one baby step at a time. It takes one step at a time to climb a giant mountain. So start today with something simple and see where it leads you.

Parenting is not an easy task, and many moms struggle with building a relationship with their daughters. But with self-reflection, practice, and patience, you can improve your communication and connection with your daughter. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. There are many resources and support groups available to help you along the way. The most important thing is to keep trying, keep practicing, and keep connecting with your daughter.

Action Items

• Reflect on your own experience as a teenager/preteen with your mother or a female figure in your life
• Identify what you needed from them in order to feel safe and comfortable talking to them about tough subjects
• Define your why for wanting to have close communication with your daughter or the female in your life
• Practice having difficult conversations with a friend or partner to become more comfortable with the topic
• Bring up difficult topics frequently to normalize the conversation and make it easier for your daughter to talk to you about them
• Use storytelling to make difficult topics more relatable and memorable for your daughter