Celebrating National Daughter’s Day: Building Resilience Together

September 25th is National Daughter’s Day—a day to pause and celebrate the joy, laughter, and strength our daughters bring into our lives. At Austin Therapy for Girls, and in my book Pink Chaos, I often remind parents that while love is at the heart of raising a daughter, resilience is the muscle that helps her grow, stretch, and thrive.

Why Resilience Matters for Tweens

Resilience isn’t about avoiding mistakes or setbacks. It’s about learning how to fall—and just as importantly—how to get back up. From forgotten homework to friendship struggles, tweens face challenges every day. Each stumble is a chance to practice courage, problem-solving, and self-compassion.

One of my favorite lines from Pink Chaos is:

“Resilience is about navigating the stormy waters of failure and getting back up again, not only for you as a caregiver but also for your daughter.”

When we model bouncing back, asking for help, or finding creative solutions, our daughters learn that setbacks aren’t the end of the story—they’re the beginning of growth.

The Gift of Asking for Help

So many girls hesitate to ask for help because they fear it makes them look weak. But in reality, asking for help is one of the most powerful resilience tools we can teach. Whether it’s unloading the dishwasher in exchange for a forgotten homework delivery or reaching out to a trusted friend during a tough moment, girls learn that support and connection are strengths, not weaknesses.

The Power of Connection

Another theme I share in Pink Chaos is the importance of social support. Having people in your corner—friends, mentors, family—makes all the difference when life feels overwhelming. Sometimes our daughters need just one close friend who makes them feel seen, valued, and safe. Other times, they need to know they’re part of a wider circle of support. Both are essential for resilience.

Keys to Unlocking Girl World

One of the best ways to support your daughter is by reflecting on your own resilience journey and sharing it with her. Here are a few questions (from Pink Chaos) to guide you:

• What gave you the strength to do something hard as an adult? How about as a tween or teen? Who was there to support you?
• Can you remember a childhood moment when your parents didn’t let you face something hard? How did that shape you?
• How might you unintentionally “bubble wrapping” your daughter? Where could you allow her to face challenges so she builds her own confidence?

These conversations help your daughter see that resilience is learned, practiced, and passed down—and that even the strongest adults have moments of struggle.

A Reflection for Parents

This National Daughter’s Day, take a moment to reflect:

• What helped you bounce back from hard times when you were growing up?
• How can you model asking for help in your own life?
• Where can you give your daughter space to struggle, learn, and grow—while knowing you’ll always be there cheering her on?

Ways to Celebrate National Daughter’s Day

Looking for a meaningful way to mark the day? Celebration doesn’t have to be elaborate—what matters most is connection. Here are a few ideas:

• Movie Night: Pick a film you both love (or one from your tween’s watchlist), make popcorn, and snuggle up. Add in some conversation about the characters’ friendships or challenges.
• Glam Night: Do facemasks, paint nails, or even swap styles for fun. Sometimes laughter and play are the best ways to strengthen your bond.
• Cook a Meal Together: Choose a recipe, shop for ingredients, and let your daughter take the lead in the kitchen. Cooking is a great way to practice teamwork—and enjoy something delicious.
• Craft or Journal Together: Whether it’s a vision board, painting, or an art journaling activity, creativity opens the door for deeper conversations.
• Not Close By? Send her a short text of appreciation and love, or make a fun playlist to share—little gestures can go a long way in reminding your daughter she’s celebrated and cherished.

These small rituals create lasting memories and remind your daughter that she’s not only celebrated today, but every day.

Ready to go from chaos to connection? Order your copy of Pink Chaos today and get instant access to some of our favorite resilience tools from Austin Therapy for Girls at pinkchaos.com/downloads.

💖 Happy National Daughter’s Day!