How to foster positive relationships and self-love for youth in the digital age

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl

The teenage years can be a time of confusion and stress for many adolescents. And when you add social media to the mix, small conflicts can cause big drama. 

As teens navigate their way through the ups and downs of adolescence, they often face challenges that test their relationships with family, friends, romantic partners and even themselves. While it’s normal for teens to experience some conflict and disagreements, it’s important that they learn how to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts in a healthy way.

“By teaching and modeling these essential skills, we can help them develop positive relationships with others and promote self-love and self-respect,” says Rasheda Kamaria Williams, chief empowering officer and founder of Empowered Flower Girl, a social enterprise on a mission to transform the way young people relate to one another and themselves. 

Healthy relationships and self-love in the digital age

The internet, social media, and texting have become a huge part of teenage relationships. While these technologies can be used to connect teens with their friends and help them stay in touch, they can also be used to spread rumors, bully others, and engage in other negative behaviors. 

A recent Pew Research Center survey on teens and cyberbullying revealed that nearly half of all U.S. teens have been bullied or harassed online. Additionally, adolescent girls across the country are facing record levels of violence, sadness and despair, according to new survey data from the CDC.

So, how can you guide the teens in your life in developing self-love and positive relationships (on and offline)? Here are some tips:

1. Talk about what positive relationships look like.

 Discuss what healthy, supportive and positive relationships look like and ask young people for examples of each. Help them understand that these types of relationships are built on trust, respect and communication.

2. Encourage them to love themselves first.

Self-love is so important! Help the teens you work with understand that they need to love and accept themselves before they can truly love someone else. It can be difficult for some when they’re bombarded with messages telling them that they’re not enough. 

One way to help teens learn to love themselves is by using affirmations.Some examples of affirmations that teens can use to promote self-love include:

  • “I am worthy of love and respect.”
  • “I am allowed to make mistakes.”
  • “I am capable of great things.”
  • “I am valuable just as I am.”

3. Teach them how to communicate effectively.

Effective communication is essential in any relationship, whether it’s with a friend, family member or romantic partner. Engage teens in activities that encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings in a clear and respectful way. 

4. Model healthy relationships.

Show teens what positive relationships look like by modeling healthy behavior in your own relationships. Let them see you respecting others, communicating effectively and being kind and loving towards yourself and others.

Teaching teens about healthy relationships and self-love can be a difficult task but it is an important one as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. You can make an impact by keeping the lines of communication open and being a positive role model. 

Empowered Flower Girl offers a number of workshops and activities that encourage positive and healthy relationships. From cyberbullying prevention to empathy and self-esteem building, our workshops help young people break down barriers and build authentic connections. Learn more at www.empoweredflowergirl.com. 

Girl World Peace Academy gives youth advocates tips, tools and templates to engage and empower girls

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl

Countless articles, polls and reports have shown that girls are being adversely impacted by digital harassment and cyberbullying. Additionally, a 2020 study revealed that we are in the middle of a teen mental health crisis – and girls are at its epicenter.

Now is the time for us to come together to help our girls. 

You may have been thinking of launching a girls mentoring program or youth-focused nonprofit but not sure where to start or how to engage students. 

Or perhaps you already have an established program but need additional help and resources to grab the attention of potential participants, media and funders.

If either of these describe you, consider Empowered Flower Girl’s Girl World Peace Academy! 

“Our course graduates are making an impact and a difference in their communities,” said Rasheda Kamaria Williams, EFG chief empowering officer and founder. “Our girls need positive role models, mentors and advocates. They need women like you.”

Make a Difference this Year!

Girl World Peace Academy is a self-guided online course + coaching for youth advocates of all backgrounds – from teachers and counselors to after-school program professionals and mentors.

This course is especially for you if:

  • You aspire to make a difference in the lives of girls and young women. 
  • Girls in your school or community face social or emotional challenges (bullying, peer pressure, trauma, etc.) that impact their ability to thrive.
  • You seek empowering and interactive tools and content that complement your current or future SEL, prevention or after-school programming.
  • You can use help getting the word out about the good you’re doing (to media, sponsors and potential participants)

Questions about the course or general questions about the youth empowerment space? Book a free discovery call with Rasheda. 

Enroll at https://rashedakamaria.com/girlworldpeace.

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Empowered Flower Girl Announces Holiday Promo for Girl World Peace Academy

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl

Empowered Flower Girl (EFG) wants to help as many youth advocates as possible connect with and engage young people to live above life’s drama and uplift and support one another. This year has been a challenge for young people – in particular, girls. Recent reports have shown that girls are being harassed online at alarming rates. Additionally, incidences of hate speech and homophobia also are on the rise. 

But young people who have strong support systems are fairing well. Those who are enrolled in mentoring, afterschool and other SEL programs are learning vital life skills. 

If you want to help youth by launching your own program or leveling up an existing one, we’d love to have you join our GIRL WORLD PEACE ACADEMY. 

Girl World Peace Academy is Empowered Flower Girl’s self-guided virtual course providing teachers, after-school professionals and other youth advocates tips, tools and strategies to inspire sisterhood, increase self-esteem and encourage empathy among middle and high school girls. The course includes one-on-one coaching as well as video lessons covering topics ranging from empowering 21st century girls to no-cost tools to publicize and fund your programs.

Why focus on girls?

After facilitating bullying prevention and empathy boosting programs for a decade, we’ve observed:

  • Girls often exclude each other because they really don’t know each other.
  • On and offline conflict can adversely impact classroom dynamics and student performance.
  • Educators, who often are overwhelmed with conflict and drama in the classroom, may lack additional support and resources to address and solve it.

Additionally, the National Center for Education Statistics reports that girls are three times as likely as boys to be victims of cyberbullying and online harassment.

“At the end of the day, most girls actually want positive, friendly relationships with one another. However, some don’t feel confident enough to break the ice. They have a desire to create lasting bonds, but sometimes lack the tools,” said Rasheda Kamaria Williams, chief empowering officer and founder of EFG. “Our goal is to help youth advocates breakdown barriers, build trust and develop an authentic connection with students that ultimately inspires peace in classrooms and communities.”

Learn more and register at www.rashedakamaria.com/girlworldpeace. Get $100 off enrollment through 1.1.21 as part of our holiday promo.

How to combat cyberbullying while #athometogether

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl

We’re all coping with the life changes that COVID-19 has sparked. Many adults are working remotely and children are home learning via virtual classrooms. 

While students are not engaging in-person, they’ll be engaging online – via social media apps and texting. 

Empowered Flower Girl, a social enterprise on a mission to transform the way young people relate to one another and themselves, encourages youth and parents alike to monitor online interactions and behavior. Cyberbullying is still a concern for many children. 

Here are tips to prevent online drama and encourage quality family time:

TECH-FREE FAMILY NIGHT: Ditch the cell phones, laptops and tablets for dinner and conversation. For some teens, talking face-to-face may seem old-fashioned but it’s a great way for families to connect. It also reduces the temptation to go online.

ASK QUESTIONS: Take an active role by inquiring about your child’s relationships with peers on and off line. Most children won’t volunteer the information. Parents should ask specific, preferably open-ended questions to get their children to open up.

Empowered Flower Girl is celebrating 10 years of service in 2020. Founded in 2010, EFG works with schools, community organizations and families to combat bullying, cyberbullying, relational aggression and other social challenges facing youth. Learn more at www.empoweredflowergirl.com. Follow via Facebook/Instagram at @empoweredflowergirl.