We Need To Talk About Our Girls | The Forties Formula

There’s a moment, as a mother, when you look at your daughter and realise something is changing.

She’s quieter. More emotional. More critical of herself.

And you’re left wondering… is this normal, or is something deeper going on?

In this episode, we sit down with psychologist Dr. Emma Waddington and physician Dr. Gina Hel to unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface for girls today.

From earlier puberty and hormonal shifts to the impact of social media, friendships, and identity, this is a conversation every parent needs to hear.

Because the reality is, girls aren’t just growing up differently… they’re growing up under more pressure than ever before.

And if you’re a woman in your 40s, you might recognise something else too… parts of your own story reflected back at you.

We cover:

The subtle signs your daughter may be struggling

Why puberty is starting earlier

How hormones affect mood, sleep and behaviour

The impact of social media on self-worth

Why friendships matter more than you realise

The truth about body image in young girls

How to build connection before adolescence hits

What helps girls feel confident and supported

If you’re raising a daughter or trying to understand the pressures girls face today, this episode will shift how you see it all.

🤝 SPONSOR

Thank you to our sponsor Love, Indus

Enjoy 21% off with code TFF

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🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS

Osler Health → https://www.osler-health.com

Us Therapy → https://www.ustherapy.sg

Untangled by Lisa Damour → https://amzn.to/4cWz8vc

Run Like A Girl (Always) → https://youtu.be/qtDMyGjYlMg

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

02:00 Signs your daughter may be struggling

05:00 Puberty and hormones

07:30 Emotional shift in adolescence

10:00 Brain development and social connection

11:00 Social media and self-esteem

14:00 Friendship dynamics

16:00 Loneliness and online connection

19:30 Body image and early pressure

21:00 Parenting influence and identity

27:00 Teaching girls to speak up

34:00 Body image in sport

39:30 Self-worth and achievement

41:00 The pressure to be everything

45:00 Parenting teens vs coaching