I'm not a regular mom, I'm a cool mom

"Some parents believe they have the magic power to look their daughter in the eye and the truth will come spilling out. Maybe. If you're really good, your daughter may crumble under the stern, unflinching parental lie detector. But a good liar can pass this test easily. A good liar is cool and collected and continues to hold her ground no matter what." 

This quote from Queen Bees & Wannabes follows a template given in They say, I say. It falls under a template for making concessions while still standing your ground. This template is used when there are other arguments but you believe that yours is the best solution.  Rosalind Wiseman acknowledges that some daughters will tell the truth but usually they can easily get away with lying. By making this claim, Wiseman is trying to persuade the reader that her argument is correct and should be followed in this type of situation. 

They wanted me to get socialized

"Imagine you and your daughter on a cruise ship. The cruise director's job is to make sure your daughter is reasonably happy and entertained. There are scheduled activities and if she hurts herself, someone will be there to get her back on her feet. She knows most of the people on the ship and everything is familiar... As you watch helplessly, she leaves behind everything that is safe and secure, gets into a life raft with people who have little in common with her except their age, and drifts away." This quote is a metaphor. A metaphor compares to things by stating one is the other. 

This quote serves as a metaphor because the cruise ship is the safe and comforting house while the life raft is school and life outside the house. It shows how girls feel trapped inside the life raft on open waters. If you are not a certain way, you will be thrown out into the water. The only logical answer is to stay inside the raft and hope things get better between the other girls or you survive until rescued. To girls, this is the exact way they feel about their clique. Thus, serving as the prefect metaphor.  

That is so fetch!

Rosalind Wiseman has been researching teenage girls for over ten years. After funding the Empower program, she published Queen Bees & Wannabes to help share her findings in a helpful manor. The first chapter explains the different roles that girls play in high school. The second describes different parenting styles and possible ways to handle your daughter.

Wiseman starts by listing the different roles that appear in cliques throughout all high schools. She then analyzes them in closer detail to help readers have a better understanding. Each role has something you can gain and lose from it. Wiseman gives helpful tips to parents and includes daughter's point of views in order to help the reader comprehend. This chapter also asked girls to describe what characteristics and appearance everyone wished they had and which no wants to have. Almost every girl gives the same answer. This is used to define who is popular and who is not, through teenage eyes. In the end, the roles are placed into categories that explain their outlook on life and how a wrong-worded intervention can cause a harsh reaction.

The second chapter is a way to guide parents through a conversation with their daughter. It starts with discovering what parenting style you possess. Each is stated and given a description. It's helpful to own up to your parenting style and become the best role model you can be. The next step is to begin the conversation with tips mentioned in the book. After this listening is all that's left, because once you show that you want to become more involved, they'll begin to open up.

The next part of chapter two, transitions to being lied to and how to handle it. If you think your daughter is lying to you, Wiseman offers multiple suggestions on how to approach the problem. The book also walks you through when you should confront them, how to start the conversation and what punishments have the best results. When confronting you shouldn't use slang words or try to act cool, it's best to stick with the information you've gathered. Wiseman encourages parents to take things seriously and help their children to do the same. Lastly, the chapter ends with reassuring comments. Meaning that that the only failure is someone who doesn't put in the time and effort. Also that parenting isn't a popularity constant, but instead teaches  your children valuable lessons.

On Wednesday's we wear pink

I picked to read Queen Bees & Wannabes for a couple different reasons. My choice was influenced by length, subject matter and a movie based on it. The book looked like an easy read and didn't seem to be overwhelming or boring. The length of the chapters isn't that bad so it's more enjoyable to read. The subject matter has to do with high school cliques which I find can be pretty interesting. It's fun learning about the different roles everyone plays in their group of friends or school. This book also happens to be the basis for the movie Mean Girls which is one of my favorite movies. 

The author, Rosalind Wiseman is the cofounder and president of the Empower program, an organization that works to empower girls and boys to stop violence. She has spent the last 10 years learning and teaching girls about abusive relationships. Wiseman travels to different schools to help spread the word of the knowledge she has accumulated over the years, In hopes it will help not only young girls but also help their mothers deal with them. I believe her credentials give her the ability to write a powerful influential book.