Today we’re talking about raising girls—what it means to help them feel strong in both body and mind, and how we as parents can nurture that confidence from an early age. My guest is Kate Rope, an award-winning journalist and the author of the new book, Strong as a Girl: Your Guide to Raising Girls Who Know, Stand Up for, and Take Care of Themselves. In this episode, we talk about empowerment, self-compassion, and listening deeply to our daughters, as well as the role parents play in creating a supportive environment. We also explore the importance of representing diverse experiences, including those of neurodivergent girls, and how to help our kids develop a strong, steady inner voice.

About Kate Rope

Kate Rope is an award-winning freelance journalist and author whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, and many other outlets. She is the author of Strong as a Girl: Your Guide to Raising Girls Who Know, Stand Up for, and Take Care of Themselves and Strong as a Mother. How to Stay Healthy, Happy and (Most Importantly) Sane from Pregnancy to Parenting, co-executive producer and co-author of the Audible Original Soldiers of Science, and a mom on a mission to help everyone be Strong as a Human.

Things you'll learn from this episode

• How early conversations about self-advocacy can empower young girls to trust their voices

• Why including diverse experiences enriches the way we parent and support our daughters

• How validating emotions like anger helps girls embrace their full humanity instead of suppressing themselves

• Why neurodivergent girls often face extra layers of societal pressure and expectation

• How prioritizing self-worth over self-esteem builds a stronger foundation for girls’ well-being

• Why encouraging autonomy and practicing self-compassion are key for raising confident, resilient girls

Resources mentioned

• Kate Rope’s website

• Strong As a Girl: Your Guide to Raising Girls Who Know, Stand Up for, and Take Care of Themselves by Kate Rope

• Strong as a Human (Kate’s Substack)

• Kate on Instagram

• Soraya Chemaly

• Creating Neurodiversity Affirming Schools with Amanda Morin & Emily Kircher-Morris (Full-Tilt Parenting)

• Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted & Supported by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin

• About Universal Design

• Activist Emily Ladau on Demystifying Disability (Full-Tilt Parenting)

• Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladau

• Dr. Katie Hurley

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