If I could tell every girl one thing, it’s this...

Starting high school can stir up a lot of worry for girls, and as parents we feel every bit of that worry with them. It’s a stage where everything seems to shift at once, and even the most confident child can suddenly feel unsure. New routines, new faces, a bigger and busier environment, and that quiet pressure to grow up before they’re ready. We want to protect them from the bumps, smooth the path, and reassure them they’ll be ok. We need to be kind to ourselves and remember that we don't have the instruction manual on each of our kids and that we’re learning alongside them.

When my daughter Libby had a rough start, we talked a lot about what she wished she had known, and what would have helped her feel less alone. We introduced her to the fact that when someone is mean, it is more about them than it is about you. We talked about having lots of different friendship groups and hobbies as opposed to relying on one person and we talked about allowing ourselves to be kind to ourselves by having a positive inner dialogue - if you wouldn't say it to a friend, don't say it to yourself.

Now that Libby has finished her HSC, she looks back on school with warmth. It wasn’t without its wobbles, but those moments didn’t define her. She learned to return to her own inner voice, the gentle one, instead of the self-pressure so many girls carry.

If I could tell every girl one thing, it’s this: it’s ok to feel nervous. Trust that quiet voice inside you that says you’re doing your best. Things settle. Confidence grows. And often, high school becomes a chapter filled with connection and lifelong friends.

• Chloe | Website