Under Pressure by Lisa Damour, Ph.D.

Since the moment I hit publish on this website, and thus my business, I knew that sharing the books that speak to me and my work the most would be a necessity. So, I'm excited that the first one I share with you is this amazing piece by Lisa Damour, Ph.D., Under Pressure; Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls.

As a woman, a mother of two girls and a professional in the space of stress management in children, I can tell you this is very, very real. At the time of writing this, every single one of my private clients has been female and each of their parents have suggested the word anxiety right from the beginning of our journey together.

In fact, that word crept up in our own family's vocabulary by the time my oldest daughter turned three, and I've been paying close attention to this phenomenon ever since. It's what inspired me to dig into what was going on in her mind and thus the minds of other children at these young ages.

Seeing my own daughter struggle at such a young age ignited a fear in me to which thankfully Lisa brings a sense of understanding, peace and reassurance. She certainly confronts the seriousness of the issue, sharing that 31 percent of young women experience symptoms of anxiety compared to 13 percent of boys. And that anxiety in young women has increased over the years, whereas for boys, it remains steady. But where she takes it from here is what makes this book so nourishing for anyone who works with or raises girls.

In her book, she shares her personal experiences as a mother of girls and as a professional working in an all-girls school tackling issues of sexuality, academic pressures, parenting in the Information Age, social media, friendships, sexism, racism and honestly that barely touches the list. And although a lot of these topics may seem intimidating, Lisa has a way of approaching them in such a beautiful way that you will feel more empowered and even at ease as you watch your girls walk into each new phase of life. 

Instead of dismissing the thought of our girls having sex or posting selfies in return for 'likes', Lisa embraces these cultural norms with ease and loving assistance to anyone that cares for these growing women. And at the same time, reminds us that stress and anxiety is part of life. A part of life that provides growth and opportunity and should be embraced rather than shamed.

When it comes to reckoning with the mental and emotional pressures our daughters feel, there are no easy answers, nor quick fixes. But taking a detailed, comprehensive look at the problem opens a world of new approaches to solving it. We love our girls, we hate to see them suffer, and there is a great deal that we can do to help them feel happier, healthier, and more relaxed in the face of the challenges we know will come their way." - Lisa Damour, Ph.D.

As I read her words, I truly felt that Lisa was sitting next to me telling me that not only will my girls be ok, but that I am fully equipped to take on these challenges as they arise over the years. I assure you this book will remain on my shelf for years to come, as a reference and comfort to me as a mother and caretaker of girls.

So, please. Do yourself a favor and order yourself a copy.

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