The Everything Parent's Guide To Raising Girls: A Complete Handbook to Develop Confidence, Promote Self-Esteem and Improve Communication »

Erika V. Shearin Karres, Ed.D., author of Mean Chicks, Cliques, and Dirty Tricks, is a well-known parenting expert and lecturer who has won numerous Outstanding Educator awards. Dr. Erika was honored by the Governor of North Carolina with the state's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and by the Governor of Kentucky with that state's highest civilian honor, the Kentucky Colonel, for her work in education. She lives in Chapel Hill, NC.

Rebecca Caperton Rutledge, Ph.D., B.C.F.E., B.C.F.M., is the author of The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Depression. A board-certified psychologist who specializes in family therapy and individual therapy for children and adolescents, she has experience as a court-appointed psychologist and has maintained columns for several psychology publications, including Your Health, Memphis Women's Journal, and the Shelby Sun Times. Ms. Rutledge lives in Memphis, TN.

Having kids is a challenging endeavor in itself, but bringing up girls in today's world can be especially difficult. The Everything[Registered] Parent's Guide to Raising Girls gives you the information and resources you need to raise happy, healthy daughters from birth to adolescence. Well-known parenting expert Dr. Erika breaks down what you need to know.

From the differences between boys and girls to boosting their confidence and self-esteem to social and school issues. The Everything[Registered] Parent's Guide to Raising Girls prepares you for: Handling tantrums, bad moods, and potty training, Dealing with social issues at school such as cliques, bullies, and peer pressure, Coping with puberty and menstruation, Addressing the issues of drinking, smoking, drugs, and sex, Enforcing rules and disciplinary action. With The Everything[Registered] Parent's Guide to Raising Girls, you will raise a wonderful daughter and develop a close relationship to last a lifetime.

Introduction     XIII
Your Infant Daughter     1
Developmental Factors     1
Your Baby's World     4
Maintain a Routine     6
Her Care and Needs     8
The Fussy Baby     10
Draw on Your Network     12
Your Toddler Daughter     15
Girl Playgroups and Toys     15
The Terrific Twos     18
Your Girl Learns to Listen     22
Tantrums and Time-Outs     23
Potty Training     27
From Crib to Bed     29
Record Her Successes, and Yours Too     30
Your Preschool Daughter     31
Developmental Factors     31
Her Toys and Hobbies     33
Social Interactions     35
Fostering Healthful Habits     39
Teaching Your Daughter Happiness     42
Getting Ready for School     43
Rules and Consequences     47
Management Styles     47
Talking It Over and Apologizing     50
Teaching Delayed Gratification     52
R-E-S-P-E-C-T     54
Developing Good Manners     56
Politeness and Proper Language     58
The School Years     61
Getting Along with Others     61
Girls and School Culture     64
Teachers as Mentors     67
Why Girls Excel...or Fail     68
Perfectionism Is Overrated     69
Extracurricular Activities     70
Developing Your Girl's Talents     73
Expose Your Daughter to Varied Activities     73
The Tomboy or Tough Gid     77
The Ballerina or Skater     79
The Athlete or Outdoor Gid     81
The Artist or Crafts Enthusiast     83
Private Lessons     84
Girls at Home     87
Responsibility to Home and Family     87
Helping with Household Chores     89
Taking Care of Her Belongings     90
Girls and Their Pets     93
Relating to Siblings     94
Responsibilities     95
Learning to Handle Money     96
Learning to Share and Care     100
Education and Achievement     105
Building Excitement     105
Help with Homework     109
Connecting with Teachers and Coaches     111
After-School Tutoring     114
Math and Science Matter      115
Good Grades Grow Careers     118
Peer Problems     121
The Mean Chicks Phenomenon     121
Finding Positive Friends     128
Tricky Cliques     131
Unsafe Friends     132
Brand-Name Pressures     134
Bullying: Victim or Victimizer?     134
Understanding Your Tween     137
Puberty and Menstruation     137
Blossoming Sexuality and Crushes     141
Emotional Turbulence     144
Hormones and Mood Swings     145
Rebellion and Secrets     146
Getting Your Daughter to Talk     149
The World of the Teenage Girl     151
Teaching Her Media Smarts     151
Computer Safety Basics     156
Music Mania and Hollywood     159
Real Life versus Reel Life     161
Encouraging Healthy Relationships     162
Understanding Independence     162
Daddy's Little Girl     165
One-on-One Time with Dad     165
Self-Esteem Building via Dad     170
Role Modeling: Your Daughter's Boyfriends     172
Sharing Your Daughter's Passions     175
Inspiring Her to Aim Higher     177
Making Girls Strong Willed     180
Mother-Daughter Relationships     181
Clashes and Challenges     181
Keeping Communication Open     183
A Friend or a Mother?     185
Why Nothing Moms Do Is Right     186
Being Cool with Your Daughter     188
Bonding Activities     190
It's All about Self-Esteem     195
Images of Women and the Media     195
Am I Pretty?     199
Popularity     201
Fads and Trends     203
Clothing, Style, and Makeup     204
Current Culture     206
Dangers and Warning Signs     209
Drinking, Smoking, and Drugs     209
Abusive Boys     217
Safe Strategies for Temptations     218
Your Girl's Privacy versus Her Safety     220
Failing Grades and Cutting School     221
Internet Red Flags     224
Health and Well-Being     227
Her First Visit to the Gynecologist     227
Girls and Depression     231
Suicide Warning Signs     235
Anorexia, Bulimia, and Other Eating Disorders     238
Self-Mutilation and Intervention     240
Runaway Signals     242
Your Daughter and Sexuality     243
Teaching Your Daughter about Sex     243
Promiscuity     249
"Hooking Up" versus a Relationship     250
Teach Your Girl to Say No     252
Your Girl Is Attracted to Other Girls     253
Your Ultimate Goal     254
Dating     255
Dating 101     255
Teaching How to Know When     257
Self-Respect     259
Group Dating     261
Finding a Good Boyfriend     262
Boys as Friends     264
Your Girl's Broken Heart     265
Overall Goal     266
Family Challenges     267
Family Discord and Divorce     267
Stepmothers, Stepfathers, and Stepsiblings     271
Co-parenting     274
Single Parenting     275
"Chosen" Family Members     276
Let Girls Be Girls     277
From Girl to Woman     279
Your Daughter as a Young Woman     279
Competing in the World     280
Mentoring Your Daughter-Friend     284
Empty Nest Equals Wider Circle      286
Enjoy Your "Masterpiece"     288
Celebrate New Traditions     289
Welcome to Your Best Life     291
Bibliography     293
Additional Resources     295
Index     297