Backpacks, Big Feelings & First Periods: Helping Your Tween Start the School Year with Confidence

A new school year doesn't just bring new teachers, backpacks, and routines—it often marks the beginning of some of the biggest emotional, social, and physical changes of the tween years.

As children grow, they're navigating shifting friendships, growing independence, changing bodies, bigger emotions, and, for many, the onset of puberty and first periods. It can be an exciting time, but it can also leave both kids and parents wondering how best to prepare for everything that's changing.

Join us for Backpacks, Big Feelings & First Periods: Helping Your Tween Start the School Year with Confidence, an honest and practical conversation about supporting tweens through one of the biggest transitions of the year. We'll explore how parents can help their children build confidence, navigate friendships, prepare for puberty, and head into the school year feeling informed, supported, and ready for what's ahead.

Moderated by Mandy Grass, this conversation brings together an incredible group of experts: Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, psychologist and parenting expert with Good Inside; Dr. Whitney Casares, board-certified pediatrician and founder of Modern Mommy Doc; and Vanessa Bennett, co-founder of This Is So Awkward and leading voice in helping families navigate puberty with confidence and less awkwardness.

Together, we'll discuss:

• Helping tweens navigate friendship changes and social pressures
• Building confidence and resilience during times of transition
• Supporting growing independence while staying connected
• How and when to talk about puberty and first periods
• Helping kids manage anxiety, uncertainty, and big emotions
• Practical ways to set your tween up for a successful school year

Whether your tween is starting middle school, beginning puberty, or simply growing up faster than you expected, this conversation will leave you with practical tools and expert guidance to help them step into the new school year with confidence.

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