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10 Ways to Raise a Daughter Who’s F.A.B. (Focused, Authentic & Brave)

May 11, 2018 by Jackie Brewton Leave a Comment

I talk a lot on the blog about the role fathers play in teen girls' lives.

There's no question that girls who have a healthy relationship with their fathers reap the "(DAD)vantages ."

But today, I want to focus on the role mothers play in teen girls' lives.

Because girls who have a healthy relationship with their mothers enjoy (MOM)entum in life. (I know it's cheesy but work with me here).

Remember at the beginning of this school year, when I shared the 10 things every teen girl needed for Back2School (and for life), that you wouldn't find on a supply list?

I even included a special download for your daughter called 10 Things Every Teen Girl Needs to be F.A.B. (Focused, Authentic & Brave).

Today, in honor of Mother's Day, I have something just for you!

10 Ways to Raise a Daughter Who's F.A.B. (Focused, Authentic & Brave):

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Filed Under: Communication, Love, Parenting, Relationships, Success, Teens Tagged With: Communication, Love, Parenting, Relationships, Self-worth, Success, Teens, Vision

Sexual Assault: Breaking the Cycle of Secrecy Among Our Girls

April 22, 2018 by Jackie Brewton Leave a Comment

As unfathomable as sexual assault is, there’s another ugly truth that we must acknowledge.

Many teen girls have been carrying around the secret of their rape or molestation since they were little girls.

Today in part three of my series for Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month, I want to focus on the cycle of secrecy that so many of our girls find themselves trapped in.

Remember in my first post of this series, when I shared with you an activity that I do at the beginning of student assemblies with all girls?

I did that enlightening "Please Stand Up If…" activity at a middle school one day and I could see on some of the girls’ faces that they weren’t standing because they knew someone.

They were standing because they were THAT GIRL who had been raped or molested…most likely when they were younger, by someone much older.

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Filed Under: Abuse, Parenting, Sex, Teens Tagged With: Abuse, Parenting, Sex, sexual assault, Teens

Teen Sexual Assault: Why Damage Done Doesn’t Mean “Damaged Goods”

April 15, 2018 by Jackie Brewton Leave a Comment

A woman who is a victim of abuse is hiding in the darkness of an old shed, sitting on the ground with a shadow of a mans hand hovering over her

Last week, I shared the first of what I originally planned to be a two-part series for Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month.

But I realized while working on today's post that I still have more to share on this issue.

So, welcome to the 2^nd of my now three-part series.

If you missed last week's post, I pointed out just how common sexual assault is.

Today, I want to address the issue of victim-blaming and its damaging impact on young survivors.

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Filed Under: Abuse, Parenting, Sex, Teens Tagged With: Abuse, Parenting, Sex, sexual assault, Teens

Why You Never Want Your Daughter to “Stand Up” for Sexual Assault

April 8, 2018 by Jackie Brewton Leave a Comment

Sad and lonely black girl feeling depressed

Over the past few years, the college campus rape culture has captured national attention like never before due to several high-profile cases.

And that's a good thing.

The more awareness brought to the issue, the better.

But if we really want to address the problem?

We first have to recognize that sexual assault doesn't just become an issue once our kids get to college.

The same "culture" exists in high school.

…And in middle school.

…And for many, even at home.

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN):

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Filed Under: Abuse, Parenting, Relationships, Sex, Teens Tagged With: Abuse, Parenting, Relationships, Sex, sexual assault, Teens

How to Help Your Daughter Live a Purpose, NOT Pleasure-Driven Life

March 30, 2018 by Jackie Brewton 4 Comments

You're probably familiar with Burger King's slogan, "Have it Your Way."

I believe it sums up today's culture perfectly.

It's all about chasing after what you want.

Doing what makes you "feel good."

And teens are certainly not immune.

That sense of pleasure so many of our teens crave?

We both know it's NOT sustainable.

And what happens when the "thrill is gone?"

They're left unfulfilled and yearning for something or someone greater to provide meaning to their life.

In honor of Good Friday and Holy Week, today's post is about helping your daughter find that greater meaning to her life, outside of pleasure.

From the time we were born, we were taught to chase the momentary satisfaction. We were taught to find the largest high to fulfill our greatest lows and for me, that was sex. I gained my ultimate satisfaction from the opinion of man. It wasn’t until I discovered that a righteous, pure, just man died for me, that I found my true value and worth, Jesus Christ. Now I no longer have to chase the momentary satisfaction because I’ve found a permanent one. Thank you for planting a seed in all of our lives Ms. Jackie. What you do matters.

Like the young lady above, many girls turn to sex thinking it will make them "feel good."

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Filed Under: Faith, God, Parenting, Sex, Significance, Success Tagged With: Faith, God, Parenting, Self-worth, Success, Teens, Vision

How to Bridge the Communication Gap Between You and Your Teen!

March 11, 2018 by Jackie Brewton Leave a Comment

Teaching teens about making healthy choices is not just about me giving teens information.

It's also about the information I get from them.

And boy do I learn a lot!

My goal is to take what they teach me and share it with parents like you.

Why?

To help bridge the communication gap between parents and teens.

And ultimately help you build a closer relationship with your daughter.

I start by asking girls in my class to share what they don’t understand about their parents.

And what they don’t think their parents understand about them.

Today I want to talk about two of their responses that come up in almost every class.

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Filed Under: Communication, Love, Parenting, Relationships, Sex, Success, Teens Tagged With: Communication, Parenting, Relationships, Sex, Success, Teens

How to Prevent Your Daughter from Being a Victim of Teen Dating Violence

February 25, 2018 by Jackie Brewton Leave a Comment

When I first started speaking to teens about healthy relationships, I didn't realize how prevalent teen dating violence was.

Not until I started receiving letters like the one below, from girls who lived through it.

I have been through a lot and I just don’t know how to tell my mom. I was with this boy and he totally turned my life upside down. At first, he was really sweet and caring and I thought that he really loved me. Then it got crazy! He hit me, called me names, called me fat, and cheated on me. Even though he did all this stuff, I stayed with him and I exploited myself. I sent him nude pictures of myself and other things. Then he told his friends. I kind of hope you read this letter in class to tell girls that they deserve better and not to stick around with someone like that because they don’t really love you like they say they do.

It didn't take long to notice common threads throughout the hundreds of letters girls have written describing abuse they suffered at the hands of a boyfriend they believed loved them.

So, I started sharing these letters in class to educate girls (and guys) about teen dating violence. With hopes that one day young ladies will no longer need to write them.

Today I'm doing the same in this post, in recognition of February being Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

I'm hoping that together we can prevent teen dating violence from ever becoming your daughter's story.

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