Here at The Shona Project, we work to empower the new generation of young girls. We understand that growing up in Ireland in 2024 can be very challenging. We also know that being parents, guardians or just someone with a teen in their life can also be challenging. It can be very hard to understand what they are going through and even more difficult to know how you can help.

So, to try to create the most positive eco-system for the girls, we have decided to create this little section on our website. It is just for you, an adult who has a teenager in their life that you just want to support. Our aim for this section of our site is to use our knowledge of young girls to help you, parents, guardians and other adults, better understand their world. We aim to provide information on things like the newest social media platforms and how you can help your girls stay safe online. We want this section to complement our current programmes to enhance the learning and empowerment the girls’ experience after a Shona workshop or engaging with us online. We hope to give parents a space to share their experiences and help each other through the teenage years.

Recently, our Shona Team along with our pals Alison Curtis and GoLoud launched a limited podcast series ‘The Shona Project Podcast – Raising Empowered Girls’. This is something we have had in the works for a long time. We wanted the chance to help parents dive into the challenges faced by teenage girls, and how you can create a safe space to open up meaningful conversations with the young women in your lives. Throughout the series, co-hosts Tammy Darcy and Alison Curtis will be joined by some of Ireland’s leading experts, speaking on hot-button topics affecting young women today. The podcast covers a range of themes from social media and body image to mental health and bullying. Uploaded weekly, the hosts cover these topics with specialists, relating back to their own experiences from when they were teenagers and now as mothers of girls. Be sure to give it a listen below, and if you enjoy it, be sure to, like, share, and subscribe – you know the drill!

In addition, below are some key articles we have written to assist you in better supporting a teen in your life. Just hit “LEARN MORE HERE!” on the article you want to find out more about it. We have also gone that extra mile and added an informative interview with an expert at the end of each of the posts. These interviews were recorded for our annual SHINE Festival, and are recorded in a tone that our teens can understand and connect with. The language used might help you with your own conversations between you and your teen! If you have a question or a topic you would like us to focus on next, please just reach out to us at [email protected].

Your Teen Isn’t Lazy – Here’s Why …

Being a parent can be tough, especially being a parent of a teenager.

There are a lot of emotions, attitudes galore, and enough sass to rival Lizzo. But something we often hear parents say about their teenagers is “they are just so lazy.”

We’re not here to call you out (well we are just a little bit), but did you know that your teen could have much more going on, which is resulting in what you might see as laziness?

We came across this really cool explanation and it’s actually all about emotions and cutlery.

Learn More Here!

Your Teen And Their Phone – Here’s What We’d Like You To Know …

Listen, we know there is nothing on this green Earth that would convince your daughter to give up her phone, but what if we were to give you some tips for supporting her being online?

Maybe help her reduce her anxiety and truly put an end to her FOMO.

P.S. Why not take some of this advice yourself and lead by example? You’ve got this, good luck!

Learn More Here!

How You Can Help Your Teen Nourish Their Body

A teenager’s body needs more nourishment than ever. They are going through huge physical, mental and emotional changes. In order to thrive they need to nourish that gorgeous body, listen to what it needs, and be in tune with how good food makes us feel.

Here are some top tips we have gathered from our friends – who are experts in this field (shout out to Rebecca Garvey and Hannah Thornton) – so that we can teach our teens how to eat better, so that they can perform better.

Learn More Here!

Helping Your Teen Get Over Heartbreak

As parents or guardians, we want to protect our teens from anything that causes them hurt or stress.

Unfortunately, some things they will just have to learn themselves. One of those life lessons is heartbreak.

So let’s get down to business. How do we help a teen put themself back together again?

Learn More Here!

Your Teen’s First Job – Here’s How You Can Support Them

The worst thing about getting a job is that everyone wants you to have some experience.

But for our teens, how do they get experience when they’ve never had a job?

Here are a few tips we’ve learned that might help your teen nail that interview for their summer job!

Learn More Here!

Your Teen And Bullying – Here’s How You Can Support

As an adult in a teen’s life, we are often left heartbroken to see our teens going through such a tough time.

Sometimes, we just have to be the safe space for our teens. Be the shoulder to cry on and be there to help them advocate for themselves.

Over the years, we have heard countless stories and experiences of bullying in schools. So we’ve been able to put together some ways you can support a teen who is experiencing bullying.

Learn More Here!

Supporting Your Teen and Their Changing Body

Our girl’s bodies are changing very quickly, and they may not look like they did last year, last month, or even last week!

This can make them feel very uncomfortable in their own skin, and the change from a child to a young woman’s body can be really difficult for them.

The key thing here is not to make a fuss, embarrass them or draw too much attention, as chances are, they have noticed the changes too. But you already know that right?

Learn More Here!

Supporting Your Teen Through Grief: A Guide for Parents and Guardians

As parents and guardians or anyone with a teen in their life, it’s crucial for us to understand and support them when they’re dealing with grief.

Whether it’s from losing a loved one, experiencing a friendship breakup, or going through a painful romantic breakup.

In this article, we’ll give you five key points to help you be there for your teen, offering helpful answers to her questions and talking points to navigate this challenging journey together.

Learn More Here!

A Guide To Boosting Your Teen’s Self-Esteem

We know how challenging it can be to navigate the chaotic teenage years, especially when it comes to your daughter’s self-esteem. It’s no secret that self-esteem plays a crucial role in shaping her confidence, resilience, and overall well-being. If you are like us, and honestly any other human on the planet, your own self-esteem can waver at times so you might question whether are you the right person to boost your teen’s self-esteem. But fear not, we can confirm that you are the right person! 

Of course, we’ve got your back with some fantastic tips to empower and support your teenage girl. So let’s dive in and unlock the secrets to boosting her self-esteem!

Learn More Here!

Set Your Teens Up For Success With These 5 Life Skills

Let’s be honest, navigating the rollercoaster ride of being an adult in a teens life can be crazy. We’re responsible for setting them up for success, but where do we even start with imparting our wisdom? Because really, we’re still figuring life out too! 

We’re here to explore some practical life skills that can pass on to your teen to help them hit the ground running as young adults.

Learn More Here!