Dear Friends,
May is insane: it’s what we’re hearing from parents of girls everywhere. Back in the Old Days, there was an end of year concert or class party. Now there’s Portfolio Day, Open House Day, graded performance concerts, and weeks of parent-supported parties. Need a little practice saying “no” to these volunteer requests? Read below to learn how, and find out why it may be the best thing you can do your for your daughter.

In response to the end of year pressure cooker, we decided to keep it mellow this month. Sit back and read about our amazing summer camp staff (get ready for some surprising news about Rachel), and hear from girls and parents about how the GLI experience is changing their lives.

Take it easy. Enjoy these long days and warm weather. If all else fails, remember the words of Erma Bombeck: “Never have more children than you have car windows.” We hope to see you next month at camp!

All our best,
Simone & Julia

Why Saying No is Saying YES to Confident Girls
There is incredible pressure on girls and women to say “yes.” Yes to helping out, baking, driving, listening, sharing, volunteering and keeping relationships intact. When we say yes, we hear the happiness on the other end of the phone or conversation. We please. We are liked.

But yessing is also dangerous. As Rachel shows in her latest book, The Curse of the Good Girl, the qualities that the culture prizes in the perfect mother -- a wholesale sacrifice of your own needs for your family’s – set girls up to learn behavior that puts themselves last. When they watch women say yes at all costs, girls learn to ignore that voice in their head that is saying, “No. I don’t want to,” or “No, I can’t take on any more.”

Saying no is a muscle you build. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Some experts recommend intentionally asking questions every day that guarantee a “no” – just to get more comfortable with the experience. The fear, for so many of us, is that we won’t be liked or asked again if we say no. Remember: we are worth more to others than a single moment. We have reputations, histories and credit with our peers. The courage to choose yourself is the greatest gift you can give to your children.

When was the last time you set a boundary or said “no?” Think about something you can do today to build that muscle and practice the skill. Go the extra mile and reflect on how you could do this in front of your daughter. Your daughter will get the permission and words to choose herself by watching you.

How “Glee” Can Start Amazing Conversations With Your Daughter
This summer, GLI will premiere a new workshop called “Popularity Through the Eyes of Glee.” Rachel and Julia are total Gleeks, and we all think “Glee” is an amazing conversation starter for kids to explore popularity, peer pressure, authenticity and much more.

A few episodes ago, Puck lost his signature Mohawk haircut -- and his popularity. He decided to hook up with the newly popular Mercedes to raise his status. Consider watching this episode with your kids (click here to watch it now on Hulu) and asking some of these questions about popularity:

• Why does losing his Mohawk make such a difference to Puck’s status? What might the Mohawk be a symbol of?
• What does Puck do to win over Mercedes? What does that tell you about how to get popular? What do you think of that?
• Mercedes says she knows he’s using her. Why is she still willing to be Puck’s girlfriend?
• When Puck defends throwing unpopular kids in the dumpster, he says, “They need this. Without the fear of a good dumpster toss, there’d be chaos up in this place. Look, you don’t need to like it but you need to accept this is the way things are. ‘Cuz now we’re part of the system.” What does he mean by the “system?”

GLI Stories
This week we checked in with some of our families and girls to ask how GLI has affected their lives. Here’s what we heard:

A Mom and Daughter Stop Pushing & Start Listening
Two weeks ago, my daughter and I attended a GLI workshop in the South Bay. Before the session, we were communicating and having typical conversations that moms and preteens have. I'd say one thing, and she'd automatically counter it with a "no" or "I don't know." At the workshop we became more aware of the "pushing" that was occurring between the two of us. Now, instead of pushing back, we can just say "push" and it helps relieve the pressure and reminds us to rephrase. GLI has given us the tools to listen and communicate with others while not avoiding conflict, but navigating through it. – Jan Hudson

Standing Strong at Prom
This year, my senior year of high school, my prom really snuck up on me. All of a sudden it was a week before the forms were due, and I still had nothing to write in that dreaded "Date's name__________" space. I looked around at some girls in the same situation and I saw them all scrambling to secure blind dates with friends of friends so that they would at least have someone to take pictures and sit with. I respected their decision; for them, they needed to have a date to have fun at their senior prom, and I got that. But instead of possibly getting stuck with someone that I don't like for the whole night, I decided to go stag. Without the confidence that I gained from GLI, I probably wouldn't have gone to the prom at all. But GLI had taught me to be self assured and unafraid of what other people might think of me. I walked in with my head held high, danced with my friends, and had a great time. Thanks, GLI!!!
Emily Sanini, 17

Meet the Women of GLI Summer
We are beyond excited about our amazing team of summer camp teaching counselors joining us in the Berkshires next month. These are five, courageous, smart and hilarious women. We have co-founder Rachel Simmons returning to GLI for her tenth summer of water fights, dorking out and the most insightful girl talk found anywhere. Then there’s Jackie McDonnell: New Yorker, professional game player, artist, actor and director. Coming up from Florida we have our outdoors expert, Lindsay Dedow. Lindsay likes her curly hair, the smell of campfire smoke and a really good book. Flying east from California is Christine Gerchow. Christine is our residential craft queen. When not teaching, Christine spreads her love through scrap booking and glitter pens. Last but not least, Johanna Walker will join us from Boulder, CO, where she creates original theatre with girls. Johanna is a poet, actor, and teacher who will dance the pants off you any time, anywhere. Click here to see photos and learn more about our extraordinary staff.