Cool Girls is dedicated to the self-empowerment of girls in low-income communities. We currently serve girls living in Fulton and DeKalb Counties, in Georgia.

We provide the tools to help girls make positive choices to achieve academic success, break the cycles of teen pregnancy and poverty and to overcome the barriers of racism and sexism. Our programs instill confidence and provide exposure to a broader world of opportunity through mentoring relationships, field trips, health and life skills education and academic support.

• Listen closely to what your child is saying; it might be a cry for help.
• Share your own experiences and goals. She needs to know how you feel about certain issues.
• Know your daughter's interest. It helps you stay abreast of what she is doing and are prompts to begin conversations.
• Help children talk about and understand their feelings and beliefs.
• When your daughter asks a question, use it as an opportunity to learn. If you do not know the answer, let her know and find the answer for her.
• Help children talk about and understand their feelings and beliefs.
• Find "teachable" moments. It could be the behavior of others or the message in a television program that allows you to open a discussion.
• When your daughter asks a question, do not be so quick to respond. Listen to what she is saying.
• You do not have to wait until she asks a question. Decide what is important for her to know and tell her before a crisis.

• Model positive nutrition behavior
• Promote 30 minutes of daily physical activity. Do a family activity together like walking, jogging or skating.
• Encourage your daughter to eat breakfast everyday even if it is a glass of orange juice and toast.
• Eat a balanced diet, including foods from each food group.
• Encourage your daughter to drink a minimum of five glasses of water each day.
• Allow your daughter to help in the kitchen

• Plan a trip to your local library and encourage your child to read and explore.
• Resist rescuing or providing ready answers for your daughter. Research shows that this kind of "help" undermines girls' confidence in their abilities.
• Let your daughter see you read and you read to and with her.
• "Coach" your daughter when doing homework. She should do the work rather you. Show patience when working with her.
• Set limits on watching television so she can concentrate and get the work done.
• Help your daughter plan a schedule to fit in everything she has to do -study, chores, playtime, watching television, etc.
• Let your daughter know you have confidence in her and that you don't expect or demand perfection.

• Don't take for granted that your daughter knows you love her. Have you said "I love you" today?
• Your words are powerful and can influence attitudes and performance in school and at home. Praise your daughter when she makes a good attempt at something positive (whether she is successful or not). She'll try even harder the next time.
• Suggest activities and experiences for girls that may be traditionally reserved for boys. Girls may not ask for the chance to fix a leaky pipe, build a fence or explore the cause of an electrical short, but are enthusiastic participants when given the opportunity.
• Praise your daughter for her skills and ideas rather than for her appearance and neatness.
• Become a media critic and encourage your daughter to do the same. Discuss with her the portrayals of girls and women on television, in movies, in magazines and in popular music. Does the media offer positive or negative role models for girls? Explore the messages and assumptions that the media are sending. These discussions provide ideal opportunities to explore the roles of girls and women in society.

• The goal of any dispute should be to resolve the conflict rather than to win or "come out on top."
• Express your resentments as soon as you are aware of them rather than letting them build up into an explosion.
• Nothing is more important in conflict resolution than the ability to compromise. Are you really standing on principle or are you just being stubborn?
• Communication should be as clear, direct and as open as possible. People can't read your mind.
• Ask for feedback and reflect on what you think the other person is saying. Often people will be fighting about different issues without being aware of it.
• Make only one point at a time. Resist the temptation to get off the subject.
• Don't say things just to be hurtful. When someone feels hurt, they aren't as likely to hear "your side."
• Make sure you know what the conflict really is about. You may be discussing "you're home late" when you're feeling "I'm scared you're in danger."
• Are you overreacting and making a big deal about a trivial issue? If you do this frequently it might mean that there is a more important issue that is not being talked about.
• Avoid ganging up. Conflicts are best resolved between two people at a time.
• Don't get in the middle of a conflict that doesn't involve you.
• A sense of humor is important. Don't let your conflicts be bigger than necessary. On the other hand, don't make light of a subject that should be taken seriously, or use jokes to put the other person down.
• Never ridicule or make light of anyone's feelings. Instead, respond as much as possible with "I feel..." or "I want..." statements of your own.
• Be sure to admit when you are wrong. Sometimes an apology is all that is necessary to end an argument.
• Everyone says things that they don't mean at least occasionally. Learn to forgive, forget and start over.