Images are so powerful as they can inspire us to imagine potential. This is why my presentations include a plethora of pictures. I show audiences all kinds of girls: different ages, ethnicities, and expressions – so they can embrace the message that girls are unique – beautiful, valuable, and enough – just as they are, no changes required. Images can also be detrimental in our media saturated society because they can convince us there is an ideal look to conform to for acceptance. Flip through a magazine at the grocery store or explore your…

*First published in HuffPost Canada I don’t know about you but I have had enough of this idea that a girl should be Super girl: talented at everything she tries and effortless achievement. Research tells us that girls are breaking through glass ceilings: they are succeeding academically, they are involved in every sport and activity they can cram into their schedules, and they are preparing for their future and the next stage of life colloquially called, “adulting”. Yet, there is a troubling paradox amongst the girls I work alongside. Yes, on paper they are…

I hear “I’m fine” a lot throughout my days. If you are a parent of a pre-teen girl, I am sure that you do too! “How are you?” “I’m fine.” “Do you want any help?” “No, I’m fine.” “You seem really upset, let’s talk.” “I said, I’m fine.” It’s hard to be shut out like this and left on the outside of her experiences, helpless and defeated. One thing I’ve learned and what I know for sure about girls is this: “I’m fine” could mean she’s fine but rarely does. “I’m fine” can mean,…

By Lindsay Sealey *First published in HuffPost Canada on October 26, 2017 Girls today are pushing for perfection in all areas of their lives. Whether their goal is to attain the perfect smile, take the perfect selfie or perform perfectly at soccer, dance, martial arts — or possibly all of the above — girls are striving to excel, yet suffering when they can’t quite seem to reach that elusive destination called “perfect”. The moms whose daughters I work with often express deep concern about their little perfectionists, especially when they, themselves, struggle with perfectionism…

We are hardwired for connection – the warmth and genuine care of another provides us with a sense of safety and comfort. It is in connection that our brain can feel calm and release the “feel good” hormones of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. The female brain, unlike the male brain, is more naturally hardwired for social and verbal connection, and finds biological comfort in another’s presence, with language as the glue of connection. We know girls long for connection to feel good and as a stress reliever. Yet, today, more than ever, girls are…

A growing girl has a lot going on! Not only is she growing physically and looking older by the minute, but she is also growing socially, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. With growing comes inevitable “growing pains” and I think about their pains a lot which seem to be so much more beyond her simply growing up. I am sure that you think a lot about this too! Here are the top concerns I hear about and experience in my work with girls each and every day: Mental health issues: anxiety, depression, eating disorders (anorexia,…