Did you see the movie, Mean Girls? Of course you did. And if you didn't, you most likely lived it, at some point in your life. Mine was middle school. I honestly don't even think I can write about how horrible it was. I was lucky that high school was much better.
As I've mentioned, Bounce has been having a pretty horrible school year herself. I am counting down the days until it's over. I know we will ALL be relieved. (Yes - me! Counting down the days. It's that bad.)
Anyway, I was strolling around the internet looking for advice, or answers or something to figure out how to help her through this, and I came across this interview with Katie Couric (famous for being a NYC Moms Blog contributor, as well as a few other things) and Rosalind Wiseman, the woman who wrote Queen Bees & Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World, the book that inspired Mean Girls. Katie asked the Silicon Valley Moms Group (that's all of us on all affiliated blogs) for questions for the interview, and although mine wasn't used, I found the answers I was looking for from watching the interview and then exploring Rosalind's website. (The interview is long but well-worth it if you have the time. There are other, shorter ones here.)
Rosalind is like the friend that you wish was sitting at your kitchen table every afternoon when your kids get home from school and tell you about their day. Or who you wish was sitting in the passenger seat of your carpool (when your mouth is hanging open in surprise at some of what you are hearing from the back of the car). Or standing behind you as you are putting your weeping daughter to bed after a long, hard day. She helps make sense out of these formerly adorable toddlers who have now turned into emotional, explosive, surly, confusing preteens.
Her advice is practical, common sense, but extremely concrete. And I need concrete. (And she's funny!) In fact, I can't think of a single thing I have read or heard her say that I disagree with. (And coming from me, that is an AMAZING endorsement because I am generally pretty disagreeable. Ask Laundry Dad.) You cannot imagine how many times a day I ask myself WWRD? (And one day, I even said something that sounded EXACTLY LIKE what she would have said. I was so proud! Now if I could just be that good every day.)
So in case you can't tell, I've become a Rosalind Wiseman groupie. I am currently reading Queen Bees (she also just came out with another book, this time young adult fiction, Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials -- I don't have that one yet), I follow her on Twitter and I became her fan on Facebook. When I saw she was having a Girl World 2010 Book Tour mother-daughter event in DC (to promote the updated version of Queen Bees and the release of Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials) I think I was the first caller for tickets. They weren't actually even available yet.
So imagine the SQUEEEE I let loose the other day when I got an email asking if I would do a giveaway of tickets to the DC stop of the Girl World 2010 Tour ON MY BLOG!! (No, it wasn't from Rosalind herself, but close enough... I think we are fast on our way to becoming besties.)
So here is what Rosalind says about the event:
[T]his isn’t just your average book tour! I wanted to create an event where moms and daughters could enjoy each other’s company while opening the door to a better understanding of each other’s worlds.
So, I’ve teamed up with our sponsors Dove Go Fresh Deodorant and Family Circle Magazine to put together the Girl World Tour, a series of fun-filled evenings of bonding for mothers and daughters (ages 8-14).
Here’s the plan: mothers and daughters will receive a copy of Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials and the latest edition of Queen Bees & Wannabes, Dove go fresh gift bags, and one-year subscription to Family Circle.
They’ll also participate in a 90-minute interactive discussion about confidence, friendships, sweat-inducing moments, and mother-daughter challenges. We’ll wrap it up a Q&A and book signing.
And please remember, though this is billed for mothers and daughters, any adult with a young girl (ages 8-14) in his or her life is welcome and will greatly benefit from this night of laughing, talking, and connecting.
And here are the deets:
Tuesday, April 6, 2010 from 7-9pm at Georgetown Day School (4200 Davenport Street NW)
To win, just leave a comment on this post by next Friday, March 26th at midnight. Please feel free to email or tweet this info because I know not all of my readers have daughters of a certain age, or are in the DC area.
I seriously can't WAIT for this event and now it will be even more fun that I get to meet one of you!
1 comments:
The other comments seem a bit off...would you pick me (even though you already know me?)
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Go ahead. I can take it.