Listen "323: Raising Daughters That Are Ready for Adulthood with Kari Kampakis"
Episode Synopsis
I am so excited to present this episode to you because I sat down with Kari Kampakis, author of the new book Is Your Daughter Ready?: 10 Ways to Empower Your Girl for an Age of New Challenges. Tune in as Kari shares how she was inspired to write this book after her previous parenting books and as she recognized the unique challenges facing teenage girls today.Kari explains that her goal with this book is to provide practical guidance for mothers who currently have girls making that transition into adulthood. She highlights and explains the importance of preparing girls not just to be "lights" in the world but also to be discerning and resilient in the face of adversity. Drawing from her own experiences raising her daughters, Kari encourages moms to parent with open hands, trusting God's plan rather than trying to control every single outcome.I really resonate with Kari's advice, and I share some of my own struggles with the pressure that many parents feel to have their teenagers' futures mapped out. Kari advises against this, encouraging moms listening and reading her book to avoid overpacking their daughters' "suitcases" with unrealistic expectations, instead encouraging celebrating each child's unique God-given personality and gifts even when they differ from our own.Our conversation explores some practical ways to encourage discernment in teenage girls, such as teaching them to tune into their intuition about relationships and recognize red flags. We also highlight the value of involving fathers and other male role models in this process as well as the importance of having open, age-appropriate conversations about sensitive topics such as dating, technology, and sexuality.Throughout our conversation, we openly and vulnerably share some stories from our own journeys as parents, hoping to offer hope and wisdom to listeners. We hope to remind moms that perfection is unattainable but that trusting God and leaning on community can empower us to raise resilient, discerning daughters who are prepared to take on the challenges of this age!In This Episode[0:35] - I am interviewing Kari Kampakis, author of Is Your Daughter Ready?.[1:53] - Hear how Kari was inspired to write a practical book helping moms prepare daughters for life’s darkness and challenges.[4:10] - I discuss the pressure that teens face to plan their futures and how uncertain paths still work out.[5:06] - Kari stresses trusting God over control and focusing on children’s peace and mental health over perfection.[8:26] - Kari encourages moms to pray for guidance, lean on supportive communities, and remember God’s love for them.[11:20] - It's important to embrace each child’s unique personality instead of molding them into parental reflections.[13:38] - I share how accepting my 18-year-old's creativity and boldness strengthened our bond.[16:04] - Hear how faith and prayer helped Kari appreciate her daughter’s strong spirit.[18:45] - Kari stresses teaching our daughters to trust their intuition and recognize safe, healthy relationships early on.[21:51] - Kari explains how to distinguish loyal “real friends” from inconsistent “50-50 friends” who drain your peace.[24:49] - Kari recalls praying through her daughter’s unhealthy relationship and involving male role models for guidance.[27:28] - Kari advises starting relationships as friendships, learning from dating experiences, and valuing emotional compatibility.[29:47] - I stress the importance of observing potential partners in varied settings to reveal true character before committing.[31:31] - Kari encourages parents to initiate honest and age-appropriate talks early on.[34:40] - I reiterate the importance of preparing daughters for real-life challenges via open discussions and learning from others' experiences.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineBooksIs Your Daughter Ready?: 10 Ways to Empower Your Girl for an Age of New Challenges by Kari KampakisLove Her Well: 10 Ways to Find Joy and Connection with Your Teenage Daughter by Kari KampakisMore Than a Mom: How Prioritizing Your Wellness Helps You (and Your Family) Thrive by Kari KampakisSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Sponsors:* Check out KiwiCo and use my code CRYSTAL for a great deal: https://kiwico.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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