| Have you thought of doing something special for | | | | ceremonies of all. Why is that? Why does the entire |
| your daughter as she "comes of age?" Many families | | | | community honor these girls as having special power, |
| and communities are finding creative ways to | | | | and ask them to say special blessings? |
| acknowledge girls during puberty. | | | | Celebrations and Gatherings |
| These ideas will help you honor your daughter's new | | | | Invite friends of any age and have a party! Have a |
| maturity, acknowledging change, and create a | | | | "red" theme, if you want, to symbolize womanhood |
| memory of a passage shared. You and she will | | | | and power. Read a verse, sing a song, light a candle, |
| create moments unique to you, and, who knows? It | | | | have girls walk through an archway, take photos, and |
| may be the beginning of a new tradition that she will | | | | eat yummy food. |
| share with her own family and community in years to | | | | Crown the girls with wreaths that they make from |
| come. | | | | ivy, flower garlands, or poster-board. Decorate the |
| Projects | | | | crowns with ribbon and lace, and crown the girls |
| Does your daughter have a cause she is passionate | | | | during a special moment, welcoming them into the |
| about? Would she enjoy taking on a more involved | | | | circle of women. |
| community project? She might also be ready for a | | | | Here are things other families have done: One |
| bigger responsibility at home. Some communities | | | | mother, a dance teacher, is planning a gathering of |
| invite girls, as they pass through puberty, to give a | | | | creative movement activities for women and girls in |
| presentation to a group of women they know, | | | | her community. Another, who loves the outdoors, |
| sharing about something they are interested in. | | | | facilitated an overnight for several girls, where each |
| Research coming of age in different cultures. Navajo | | | | one could have some time alone under the stars, in a |
| and Apache communities, for example, hold | | | | safe environment. |
| coming-of-age to be one of the most important | | | | |