Raising Girls Through Puberty: The Mental Health Risks No One Warns You About

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 👉 https://www.loveindus.com 🔗 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