I would like to plan a mother-daughter weekend for my daughter before she enters high school in the fall. I have visions of it being a time of imparting wisdom and values and experiences both good and bad to her. I was looking for a Bible study that would hit a lot of the big issues of teens that we could do together but I haven't found anything that I thought would work. We already have a very open relationship and can talk about most anything but I want to do something that makes her feel special and to help her to see that I do realize that she is growing up and becoming a young woman.
She is a great kid who is solid in her faith, marches to the beat of her own drummer, but also is socially unsure of herself. She will be attending a different high school than most of her friends and I want to help make the transition as painless as possible.
If anyone has done this for their daughter and has suggestions for me, that would be great.
There is something coming up soon for pre-teens and teens. It's being advertised on KSBJ radio station. It's not this fall but it sounds good.
Women of Faith are sponsoring an event called The Revolve Tour that is specifically for teen girls. It will be in Houston on February 22 - 23 at the Toyota Center. Check out the website.
revolvetour.com
It is normal for children to differentiate from their parents at this age. Don't worry - PRAY. Keep the lines of communication open. Have 'girl days' - museum & lunch, spa day, etc. Encourage hobbies and new interests. Stay vigilant - know who her friends are don't be afraid to check. Reassure her that we've all 'been there'. Hug her on a regular basis. Develop your own outside interests. I salute your concern and love for you daughter. Wish all parents were so.
God bless.
A. M
Google "Emmaeus" for her and then plan a week-end at a nice hotel where all you do is go to a spa together and totally pamper yourselves together, and spend the week-end bonding and talking about what she will encounter. They are NOT the best years of their lives; they can be very painful. Do anything and everything to bond closer to keep the lines of communication open. Teach her that since she GETS to go to a new school that it is the perfect opportunity to be anything and anyone she wants to be - revamped!
God bless you on a job well done having a faithful daughter!
Great post! I would suggest checking out www.doorposts.net for bible study. They have a great one, beauty and the pig. A good retreat type place would be at the Heart O' The Hills Camp for girls. They have a mother-daughter weekend there. It's a christian camp, and you kind of just do your own thing that weekend. Like horseback riding, canoeing, riflery, archery, arts and crafts, tennis, hiking, camping out (they have cabins with beds that you will stay in if you're not an outdoorsy type. It covers meals, etc. There are photos on their site, and though this talks about last years retreat, it's an annual thing. Here's the site: http://hohcamp.com/triples.htm
Best wishes to an awesome Mom and Daughter team!
the NIV teen study bible has lots of extra tidbits that may help you. The stories are very up to date and I am sure you can find one or two to use over the weekend.
My four daughters are out of the nest now, so it is difficult to remember the best Bible Study. However, I do have scriptures for Identity in Christ. The best one is Ps 45:11(?) The king delights in your beauty. That is Jesus as our King, and the beauty is not outward, but spiritually. He sees us as beautiful. It is His perspective. The key word is Delights. All girls love to be delighted in.
There's Ephesians 1:6 Chosen before the foundations of the earth. Eph 4:24 New creation, Zeph 3:17 "delight" Gal 5:1 "set free", Ps 91:1 "rest in His shadow"
I made a mirror for each of my girls. My second daughter had the most struggles with her identity, so I got a really nice one with white wood trim, cross pane, shelf. I painted the verses around the edges,(added flower decals) so when she would look in the mirror she would see them.
Also, you might check and see if any of the local churches have a Girls Retreat. That would not be a special time with the 2 of you, but it would expose her to girls from various high schools.
We homeschooled through high school, but have remained members of Houston's First Baptist Church. The variety of students from all over the city was good for my girls. That might not work for you.
About me: My husband and I have been married almost 29 years. We still have a son at home(16) Our daughters are 27, 25, 21 and 19. The second daughter is married as of September. The first daughter is to be married in April.
'Hope this helps.
Blessings,
R.
There is a conference next weekend(Feb. 13-14)in Houston for teen girls that looks great. Look on the web at Revolvetour.com for more information.
Here is the link to the Revolve Tour. It looks great for a teenager. I just found out about from the response to your question. I would take my 12 year old but it is out of town and just two weeks away. I will definately be watching for this next year.
K.
This isn't about a mother daughter weekend but just to let you know that I have a daughter who is in her sophomore year of college and two boys, freshman and sophomore in high school. They also went to a different high school than their best friends. I don't know about your high school, but ours has a Christian youth group that meets weekly. Also, I strongly encourage you to encourage her to join something: athletics, fine arts, and any other clubs that she might find interesting. In my experience, the teens who don't join something kind of get lost in high school. There is also a book I got at a Christian bookstore a couple of years ago that is really good for mother daughter. Its' title is "She's Twelve going on Twenty" by Kim Camp and published by Word Publishing. It's an interactive book that I found really helpful. Also, her father and I gave her a special ring to wear in high school to remind her when she was lonely or worried that she was lovedl.
http://www.revolvetour.com/tour/HOUSTON/ The Revolve tour is the Teen version by Women of Faith -- this would be a wonderful weekend for the two of you.
Another resource for you to use is Passport2Purity http://store.familylife.com/detail.asp?id=8447 from Family Life. It is a step by step plan for a special weekend for moms and daughters.
Other great authors on this topic -- raising Godly daughters who believe in themselves --- are Vicki Courtney and Daana Gresh.
Hope this helps. Have fun and enjoy spending time with her -- just getting away will be special for the two of you.
Y.
What a lovely idea? I would be happy to plan a fun weekend for you and your daughter. Please contact me if you are interested.
WOW! Sounds like you have it under control. Good one you. I am glad to hear about your girl's solid faith. I think that is the most important thing for her to take with her to school. Unshakable faith will get her through anything.
As far as a bible study, I would suggest, Song of Solomon, but only some parts, where there is restraint in physical aspects of dating and boys.
Also, Proverbs is great in dealing with people who can be mean. It teaches self control and confidence when others are treating you badly. It also teaches wisdom with discerning who is wayward and who is upright.
I wish you well. God Bless.
When I was thirteen my mom took me to Winberly to a spa there. We had a girls weekend just talking and bonding and sharing. Since it was away from SA we didn't have things we needed to be doing, we just walked around the little shops and had time to spend. It really strengthened our relationship. The spa is called Touched by Angels. I would highly recommend it.
She will probably have already started school but only by a month but I would GREATLY recommend the REVOLVE Tour. It is the best weekend for young girls and their moms to do together. Especially those who are very into their faith. You can look it up at www.revolvetour.com It is amazing for both the girls and their moms. And it is for ONLY girls. It is very geered towards the troubles of being a Christian in high school. GREAT!! I know there is one in Houston this month but if you are closer to DALLAS there is one in SEPTEMBER. Also there is a thing called a Chrysalis but it is just for your daughter not the two of you. When she is older you would be able to have her go to a Walk to Emmaus with you and you would be able to experience that together. I strongly recommend the Revolve tour. September 21-22. AT the AA Center.
God Bless you and your daughter.
Wow R., you just described my daughter! She too is strong in her Christian values but is less confident in the social scene. She is a sophomore now but like your daughter she started High School without ANY of her Junior High friends. She soon began making friends though especially when she joined the tennis team. I advise your daughter to find something she is interested in so that she meets others that have the same interests. Girls can tend to be a little boy crazy at this age too so I have told my daughter and a most of her friends that a boyfriend at this time in your life is nothing but a distraction. They should be setting goals and standards for their life and not waver from them. I have taught my daughter to pray and stay close to The Lord and the right guy will come along at the right time. As for your question, when we have mother daughter time I like to try and do things that I know she will enjoy. We have gotten manicures and pedicures, gone shopping, watched chick flicks together, played tennis, etc. It's not important what you do as it is to spend quality time together and communicate which it sounds like you are. I'm sure that whatever you do, your daughter will feel very special!
consider an Emmaus Walk it is non denominational and is a real bonding experience
Focus on the Family, a Christian ministry, has an audio program called Preparing for Adolescence. It talks about the changes going on in adolescence, including some detailed sexual information. It is, of course, pro-abstinence, and talks a lot about peer pressure. You could listen to it together (listen it to it first yourself, so you know what's coming) and use that as the basis for discussion. You may be able to find a used program on eBay for cheaper than Focus sells it.
I do believe they have the Revolve Tour coming up...it is sort of like a Women of Faith but for teen girls. I have heard that it is awesome!! You can probably go on www.womenoffaith.com and find the info. Just a thought!!
I took my daughter to Galveston state park and we camped. The facilities are right next to the beach with electric, water and a concrete picnic table with cover. There are also hot and cold running showers.
We explore the beauty of what God has created and with peace and quite to discuss any and everything she feels like talking about.
I know there are teen girl conferences (like the Women of Faith conferences) but I just dont know how to find them. I cant remember what they are called.
I did find this website with printable things that are neat that maybe you con comprise your own bible study from.
http://www.christianteenbiblestudy.com/category-s/2.htm
Hope this helps
I am not sure what area you are in. We are near Houston. Feb. 22 and 23 there is a teen conference going on at the Toyota Center. It is call The Revolve Tour. You can view their web site. Just search Revolve Tour and it will bring up a link.
R.,
My 12 year old daughter and I are heading to the Revolve Tour at the end of the month. We are going with other mothers and daughters that attend our church. It is being held at the Toyota Center in Houston and the tickets are around 50$ each. There will be popular Christian authors and musicians that will talk about the peer pressures and reality of this generation. The conference is being held Friday evening and all day Saturday. You are welcome to tag along with us. I belong to FaithQuest church. Visit our website at faithquestchurch.org. The Revolve tour can be found on the web as well. I am not sure of their address. -T. Skrocki
I'm sorry, after reading your post I just had to respond with a loud PRAISE JESUS for a mother like you!!! I have no advice ( my daughter is only 6 months old) but you encourage and inspire me. That is exactly the kind of parenting I beg God to lead me in. I will pray you get a perfect devotional for the two of you, and I promise to pray for that special weekend for the two of you.
Blessings,
A.
I am the mother of 3 girls, ages 23 and 23, and 19. I take them for pedicures and massages; girl time together. They love it. We also go for long walks. It sure got us through the rough teen years, and now my working girls love to come home for "mommy time." It's fun and relaxing for me too. Last year, I started doing the same thing with my aging mother. I really cherish those hours.
I think it's wonderful that you want to keep the communication going with your daughter. I had lots of special weekends with my Mom growing up and I treasure the memories. However, I will say that my memories and her's of those times don't always sync up. The effort is worth whatever comes out of it, but try to not to get your expectations too high. She is a teenager after all and most aren't very predictable. It won't matter what you do as long as you're together. Just letting her know that you WANT to spend time with her will mean more than any activity you do together. All I can says is to try not to put too much pressure on her to open up to you, but just let the door stay open for when the opportunity comes around. She is going to be an adult soon and probably needs to figure a few things out for herself. This is a trial and error time for her. No matter what she believes or how great a kid she is, she will make mistakes. Don't let your picture of the perfect daughter/teen interfere with what she really is. Sometimes, the real you is more wonderful than the one we think we want to see. And if she has a strong faith in God then let him lead her. There is no greater teacher. Whatever happens, telling her you love her everyday is most important. My Dad in particular would always tell me that no matter how old I got or how many kids of my own I'd have in the future, I'd always be his little girl. That sticks with me now still and I have two little ones of my own. I know that no matter what I do or say, my parents will love me. So will God.
Oh gosh, I'm going to be worrying about this in a few short years myself! LOL! R., it already sounds like she is going to be just fine. When you wrote that she marches to the beat of her own drummer that tells me that peer pressure may raise its ugly head once in a while but she'll be able to stand up on her own two feet and make the right choices. She sounds like a natural born leader. She may feel a little unsure of herself socially right now but we were all like that. Getting involved in school activities will not only give her a social outlet with new friends but enhance those leadership abilities and the confidence will flow from there. Plus, she obviously has wonderful parents and a solid home base. I think your idea of a mother-daughter weekend is a great plan.
Hi R.,
I don't have any teenagers yet my kids are still litte, but I can tell you what I would have liked to have done with my mom. I would have enjoyed a mother daughter spumber party. Something with lots of goodies and movies we enjoy. Stay up and just talk. Something simple. I hope to do this with my daughters some day.
