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At
an age before puberty and significant body changes,
namely breast development and first periods, young girls
have questions about where babies come from, how they
get inside your body (sex), periods, and changing bodies.
They need to have these questions answered honestly,
openly and before it is too late. It seems that once
they reach puberty, it is too late, as the media and
the messages from the world around them have successfully
programmed them to dread their physiological functions;
namely menstruation, to feel fat and unattractive, unless
they look like models, to believe that they must behave
in a sexy way, and that they must be silent people pleasers.
All
of this is destructive to our daughters and their budding
self-esteem. They need to be informed about sexuality,
both its sacredness and its dangers, as well as the
profound sacredness of their bodies, so that they understand
that they and their bodies deserve to be respected.
They need to be told the truth so that all the tall
tales they hear at school do not misinform them. They
need to be told that boys and girls are different and
that a boy's natural drives will cause them to pursue
her in certain ways that may cause her to feel uncomfortable,
and at times will be inappropriate. They need to know
what the boundaries are and how to stand firmly upon
them. They need to learn to love, respect and embrace
their bodies as they are, and to understand that there
is sacredness in them. They need to find and develop
their unique, strong voices and to be encouraged to
use them.
This
is a workshop for mothers and their young girls. There
is discussion with the mothers alone, before the workshop
starts, to address any unique or specific concerns,
as well as to be sure that everyone is comfortable with
the various topics we will explore. Each workshop is
unique to the various participants and their needs,
and each workshop opens a door into the beauty of each
girl. A sacred seed is planted, one which can then be
nurtured by the parents as they guide their daughter
through puberty.
Topics
Covered in the Workshop:
· How girls bodies change; when,
how and what the specific changes are; (body
hair, breasts, pubic hair, body odor, feelings
about their bodies, skin changes,
hormones).
· Biology facts: How girls bodies
are different from boys. The reproductive
organs of males and females explained verbally
and with a visual aid.
· Menstruation: why it happens, when
it happens, what to do when it happens,
how to celebrate it,
tampons and pads, feelings about periods.
· How a woman gets pregnant: Sex explained
very simply and honestly.
· Respecting your body: an explanation
of boundaries, specifically related to inappropriate
touching by others, and an encouragement
of self-exploration without shame.
· Body image: turning around the media
images, encouraging acceptance of self
and our bodies.
· Examples of Sacred Images in nature
that mirror the female anatomy.
· Open question and answer format
for moms and girls.
· Learning to speak up, speak out
and to use their strong individual voices.
WHAT
GIRLS AND THEIR MOTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS
"Thank
you. Your workshop was cool, honestly. You just helped
me understand myself a lot more, and helped me and my
mom connect more. I would come back again any time!
Once again, thank you!"
Linda, AGE 10
"What I liked about the workshop was that I learned
how to communicate with my parents and also how to take
care of myself and my situations."
Raika, AGE 10
"I felt real open with you. You were real good with
me."
Breanna, AGE 12
"We had a chance to be really open."
M.O., AGE 11
"It was interesting and I think it is a wonderful
inspiration for girls."
Nicole, AGE 10
"I like that you were very open and honest and
spoke from your experiences. I also like that you introduced
new vocabulary to the children. I think it was a good
idea to speak to the girls separately."
Dara, AGE 39
"What I liked about the workshop was honesty. Loose
format where you were not compelled to stick to the
agenda if it did not apply to the girls' and moms' interests.
Down-to-earth, sincerity, concern. Liked the girls only,
moms only and both together sessions -- they worked
well!"
Dawn, AGE 41 |
