First seen in Red Tricycle, August 5, 2020 It’s been months now since her social media feeds have been flooded with horrific images, posts, and stories about racism. In the midst of a global pandemic, we are witnessing senseless police brutality against black people, protests, marches, and social unrest. In my perhaps naïve attempt to promote social awareness, my conversations with girls, honestly, were disappointing. As I passionately talked about black lives mattering, systemic racism, and white privilege, specifically the murder of George Floyd and Amy Cooper who called the police on a black…

First Published with Red Tricycle, April 20, 2020 Obviously, our world has changed. We are navigating an upside-down world of social distancing, self-isolation, uncertainty, and changes to our daily routines. Less obvious is how teenage girls are experiencing this pandemic, some are not talking yet and others are immersed in their digital devices. I was wondering how teenage girls were adjusting to these changes so I asked teenage girls five questions. Their answers may not only surprise you but also give you some insight and ideas for how best to help them and for…

First Published in Red Tricycle, March 26, 2020 Self-isolation, social distancing, and the stay at home movement: these are our new words, new reality, and new ways of being as we navigate the coronavirus pandemic. As stress and anxiety levels rise, so does the uncertainty of each day. We don’t know how long this will last and we cannot predict what will happen. We do know it will end. We all need this hope! As adults, we are trying to process the enormity and gravity of the current global situation and the “new normal”.…

First published in Red Tricycle, March 25, 2020 Today, girls feel the pressures to be pretty, popular, and talented. They are striving to fit in, keep up, and be all things to all people. Yet, girls are more stressed and anxious than ever before and consistently report feeling “not good enough.” As girls grow up, they change from strong, secure, and gutsy little girls to uncertain, afraid, and worried teen girls who hold back their voice, their opinion, and their adventurous spirits. They lose their true self and begin curating the “ideal” self—one who is…

First published in the Toronto Star, by contributing columnist, Brandie Weikle, March 18, 2020 There are days when it seems that all I do is prod my teenager to get out of bed, get out the door on time, get on with that homework assignment and, for crying out loud, put away that laundry we folded last week. I don’t love the sound of my voice when it’s nagging and I know he doesn’t either. When our kids are no longer little, we move away from the acutely body-wearing work of waking frequently at…