My Girls’ Group Frequently Asked Questions
Do participants have to have body image issues and do any have eating disorders?
No to both questions. The group is not therapeutic in nature. If you think your daughter may have an eating disorder you should talk to her doctor. If she has had moments of wondering if she is an acceptable size or shape or is watching the world around her and beginning to notice that this issue seems to matter to people, then she is perfectly appropriate for the group.
Please know that girls are typically at their leanest just before puberty. If she is currently lean and thus fits society’s ideal, yet the family genetics predict she will fill out after puberty, this program is a great way to prepare her for that change.
Also know that body image is only part of the emphasis of the program. Be sure to check the content page for more details.
Are there any girls who would be inappropriate for the program?
Occasionally a girl is less mature than her peers and isn’t yet interested in the topics we will be discussing. If you have any concerns about your daughter being a good fit, give me a call.
Does my daughter need to bring a Bible?
No, in fact it is preferable not to. Some girls don’t have Bibles of their own to bring and there is so much movement during meetings they end up being set aside anyway. I use an NIrV Bible designed for their age group and either pass it around if someone is going to read something or I have verses printed on slips that are handed out.
What if someone my daughter doesn’t get along with signs up?
If a conflict is significant, please let me know during the registration process and if possible I will place them in separate groups. If not, I will let you know so you have the option not to participate.
The format of the meetings should prevent the escalation of any conflicts and may improve the situation. There is only one rule in MGG and they discover what it is during the first meeting by way of a game (so please don’t mention what it is). It is to be supportive. They quickly begin to remind each other of the rule if a sarcastic or teasing comment is made.
Additionally, the girls are directed from the moment they arrive. Floor spots are determined by a random, color coded system that changes every 20 minutes or so. If partners are needed, they are selected at random and the time spent together is brief. This structure prevents cliques, bickering about who they sit by or work with and supports the girls who don’t sign up with a friend.
Do parents ever stay for the girls’ meetings?
Parents are always welcome; there is nothing secret going on during meetings but girls with a parent present do tend to be more reserved and/or distracted. That said it is completely understandable that you would want to see the dynamic and the person you are trusting to lead your daughter through this program.
If you want to see what is going on simply come in with her or at any point during a meeting. If the meeting has started, come right on in the front door. There is no need to knock. During meetings the house is a place of business and you may come and go as you wish. Feel free to take a seat in the back of the room or in the adjacent room to observe for as long as you like. If the girls acknowledge your presence, I will likely refocus them on the meeting. It does not mean you are not welcome! I just want to keep them focused and allow you to see the real deal.
I do request that siblings do not observe. That creates a distraction that is difficult to overcome.
How do drop off and pick up work?
I strive to keep the girls engaged from the moment they enter to the moment they exit. Dropping off and picking up on time are really helpful, but with traffic and life I understand not always possible.
During drop off for the first meeting I will be at the door greeting the girls and showing them where in the front hall they get a flower and how it tells them where to sit in the next room. During subsequent meetings I will be in the meeting room and the girls will simply enter, grab a flower and come into the meeting room and sit down. I will welcome them there. During that gathering time we have a group discussion that keeps everyone engaged but isn’t critical to the content. If they are late, they should come in the same way and I will bring them up to speed.
The ideal situation for pick up is for you to arrive just before the ending time and wait in the cul-de-sac. That way, as soon as the closing prayer ends, they can run out to their ride. If someone’s ride isn’t there, I ask them to help me put things away and once that is done, we hang out until their ride comes.
You may certainly come in and talk with me or ask questions at pick up but sensitive or long conversations are difficult to have. Drop off is a particularly tough time for me to chat. My goal is to focus on the girls. I hope you understand.