Author Rosalind Wiseman was in Houston on March 11th for the Girl World Tour and to promote her new teen novel, Boys, Girls and other Hazardous Materials and the revised and updated version of Queen Bees & Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World. Mothers and daughters came together for a fun evening to learn strategies on surviving their relationship through the middle and high school years.
Wiseman’s presentation included interactions between the mothers and daughters to encourage communication and understanding. Wiseman’s style works well and her ability to grab the attention and respect of both mothers and daughters is amazing.
Wiseman shares stories that let girls know she understands the problems they deal with today. She gains their respect by admitting this is what she thinks they are dealing with. Then she asks for feedback on whether or not this is true. When the girls realize she understands their world and they agree with the advice she gives their parents, they begin to listen.
Wiseman then tells the girls, “Dignity in not negotiable. You are worthwhile and you have the right to be heard.” She provides the girls with a plan of action, referred to as SEAL, that helps them deal with conflicts and tough situations.
Parents were given rules they had to follow, which enforced the idea that our daughters are worthy and have the right to be heard. During the presentation, if Wiseman mentioned a scenario that we have been in or are dealing with now, we were not allowed to do the usual “eyebrow look” or the “elbow” treatment. We were not allowed to talk when it was our daughter’s turn to speak and I noticed my own daughter was more receptive to what I said. Parents were reminded to really listen to what our daughters tell us.
During the presentation, I was brought back to my own middle school and high school days. I was reminded of the drama I endured with friendships and boyfriends. Wiseman reminded us that at this age, our girls want to be included in a group of friends. One of their biggest fears is exclusion from the group. Wiseman adds, that girls will admit that even though they know their friends are treating them badly, it is worth being part of a group.
When you add today’s technology to the “mean girl” scenarios, the consequences can be frightening. Parents need to have a basic understanding of how kids are using technology and the impact it can have on our girls. Wiseman addresses this in the first chapter of the revised Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World
book. Understanding how our kids are using technology, and teaching them how to use it appropriately is the new parenting responsibility. This additional chapter makes this the most recommended parenting book on my list to parents with girls 8 to 18.
Throughout the night, we could see Wiseman’s passion to empower our daughters with the right tools in dealing with conflict. Our daughter’s need to be taught these skills and I am grateful that Wiseman is making a difference in the lives of our daughters. If Girl World Tour is coming close to your city, I highly recommend it.
After the presentation, Wiseman signed books and posed with fans!
In addition to this great night, my daughter had the chance to interview Rosalind Wiseman prior to the event. She even got Wiseman to share some of her own secrets from middle school. Want to know what they are? Watch the video below to find out.
Thanks to dove go fresh and Family Circle for sponsoring Girl World Tour.
Checking out the dove go fresh goody bag.
Did you attend the Girl World Tour? If so, please comment below and let us know what you and your daughter got out of it.
If you were unable to attend, what topics would you have wanted her to address?
On FaceBook? Check out Rosalind Wiseman’s Fan Page.
Cammie Moise