Arguing that girls need caring adults to teach, advise, and create rituals that help them negotiate the transition to a womanhood based on feminine values and that includes roles traditionally thought to be male, this book provides a practical guide for raising healthy girls and suggests exercises for parents and teachers. Chapter 1 maintains that a healthy self-esteem is the result of being raised, loved, and mentored well. Chapter 2 presents activities highlighting the role that communicating parental love plays in laying the groundwork for developing self- esteem. Chapter 3 contains suggestions for modeling the kinds of attitudes and behaviors that will impact daughters' identity positively. Chapter 4 presents activities or suggestions for using words carefully with regard to feelings, sexuality, appearance, and identity. Chapter 5 describes how actions send a more powerful message than words and presents suggestions related to body language, unconscious bias, friend choices, and self defense. Chapter 6 explores ways that parents and teachers can create situations that will provide girls with the experience of self-discovery and the experience of being capable. Chapter 7 discusses the importance of sincerity in words and actions, and includes suggestions for spending more time with daughters, teaching a healthy respect for things, avoiding backhanded compliments, and making growing up fun. Chapter 8 reflects on the ways parents and teachers are blessed by playing such an important role in their lives, and the responsibility that accompanies that gift. (Contains 47 references.) (KB)