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Raising Girls Through Puberty: The Mental Health Risks No One Warns You About
Description
There’s a moment, as a mother, when you look at your daughter and realise something is changing.
She’s quieter. More emotional. More critical of herself.
And you’re left wondering… is this normal, or is something deeper going on?
In this episode, we sit down with psychologist Dr. Emma Waddington and physician Dr. Gina Hel to unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface for girls today.
From earlier puberty and hormonal shifts to the impact of social media, friendships, and identity, this is a conversation every parent needs to hear.
Because the reality is, girls aren’t just growing up differently… they’re growing up under more pressure than ever before.
And if you’re a woman in your 40s, you might recognise something else too… parts of your own story reflected back at you.
We cover:
The subtle signs your daughter may be struggling
Why puberty is starting earlier
How hormones affect mood, sleep and behaviour
The impact of social media on self-worth
Why friendships matter more than you realise
The truth about body image in young girls
How to build connection before adolescence hits
What helps girls feel confident and supported
If you’re raising a daughter or trying to understand the pressures girls face today, this episode will shift how you see it all.
🤝 SPONSOR
Thank you to our sponsor Love, Indus
Enjoy 21% off with code TFF
🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS
Osler Health → https://www.osler-health.com
Us Therapy → https://www.ustherapy.sg
Untangled by Lisa Damour → https://amzn.to/4cWz8vc
Run Like A Girl (Always) → https://youtu.be/qtDMyGjYlMg
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
02:00 Signs your daughter may be struggling
05:00 Puberty and hormones
07:30 Emotional shift in adolescence
10:00 Brain development and social connection
11:00 Social media and self-esteem
14:00 Friendship dynamics
16:00 Loneliness and online connection
19:30 Body image and early pressure
21:00 Parenting influence and identity
27:00 Teaching girls to speak up
34:00 Body image in sport
39:30 Self-worth and achievement
41:00 The pressure to be everything
45:00 Parenting teens vs coaching