Our Five Favorite Tween Brands – We Bet They’ll be Yours, Too! - Dragonwing Girl

Our Five Favorite Tween Brands – We Bet They’ll be Yours, Too!

Being a mom of a tween-aged girl (that is, an 8-13 year old) can be a challenge, to be sure. That sweet girl you once knew is changing in a lot of ways, and finding out what she really does and doesn’t like. These years are a big part of shaping the woman she’ll become, and your support – however much she thinks she doesn’t need it – is critical. This is particularly true for active girls, as this is the age when so many of our daughters stop participating in organized sports. The factors contributing to that decline in participation are varied, and as unique as the girls themselves, but one consistently cited reason is a lack of confidence. Confidence in their abilities, their changing body, in possessing a skill set that will take them to the next level. That’s why we love these brands that focus on tween girls! Each one is focused on inspiring confidence in your favorite girl. From putting her best face forward, from clothing to footwear, stylish bags and of course the BEST athletic gear for girls, these are the tip-top providers of tween products.

CALZICO

Calzico offers fun and functional fashion that inspires confidence! Their cute and versatile age-appropriate clothing for tweens ages 6-14 includes soft reversible tees, dresses, jackets and skirts, so your favorite girl can be confident and comfy from the classroom to the playground! Calzico’s creations flip, zip, and layer! Their zipskirt (with the removable layer) or the reversible jacket that can be worn four ways mean your favorite tween can create over 20 different looks with just a few pieces. Designing garments with greater versatility, comfort, and function is Calzico’s central focus -- so many ways, she'll have outfits for days! Founder Shannon Tennyson counts on daughter Callie (the “Cal” in Calzico) to review sketches and provide design, fit and style input. Together, they makes sure every item is well-designed enough to last multiple seasons and provide a variety of different looks. To get their amazing 4-in-one jacket or top-selling zipskirt, visit them online at calzico.com. If you’re not ready to buy just yet, sign up for their updates and receive their free Ultimate Travel Packing Checklist for Tweens, free! VISIT CALZICO HERE

Dragonwing girlgear

Ready to find the products that will make your daughter strong beneath it all? From the moment she steps out the door to the high-fives after practice, Dragonwing girl gear lets her know that you’re there to support her, all day long! Dragonwing girlgear founder MaryAnne Gucciardi struggled to find age-appropriate, supportive athletic gear for her daughter. Clothes in the girls’ departments were all fashion-focused and made of lower quality fabrics, not meant for real athletes. Women’s athletic wear didn’t fit and wasn’t age-appropriate. Forced to shop in the boy’s department, everything was ill-fitting. Shopping trips were awkward and sent the subliminal message that being athletic and strong wasn’t feminine. So MaryAnne set out to design her own solution, a line of performance wear designed for pre-teen and teen girls. No wedgies. No slipping straps. A fit that’s snug. But not tight. Made for the sports they play. She calls it girlgear. The result was something even greater, that gives girls the freedom and confidence to focus on the competition, skills, and teamwork of the sports they love, empowering them to play - and be - their best. Dragonwing offers not just the ultimate in sports bras, but camis, compression shorts and leggings with good looks that are only surpassed by their performance… just like your unstoppable daughter! SHOP DRAGONWING HERE

prep skincarePrep Cosmetics

Great skin starts at an early age! Prep Skincare gives your tween a line of age-appropriate and fun cleansers, moisturizers and more to inspire habits that will protect her skin for a lifetime! There are no cutting edge ingredients in PREP’s formulas because at this age, girls just need good tried and true, safe ingredients that won’t cause them harm as their bodies develop and grow. PREP Cosmetics is on a journey to empower young girls to take care of their skin and their health. She’ll be thankful today to have a beauty routine that is all her own, and even more thankful tomorrow for the positive effects protection from the sun will have on her skin and her confidence. GET THEIR STARTER KIT, HERE. PREP’s Chief Medical Officer, Carole Aponte, MD recommends girls use the starter kit every day to keep their healthy skin clean, fresh and protected. Each order comes with their PREP skincare 101 guide, which teaches girls how and when to use each product.

Sari Bari handmade productsSari Bari

While Sari Bari most certainly isn’t limited to items that appeal to tweens (those bed covers are AMAZING!), we love their mission and their promise and it’s a great message to share with our daughters. Their unique products are made in Kolkata, by women exiting the commercial sex trade or who are vulnerable to exploitation or trafficking. The Sari Bari promise doesn’t stop with the job - they firmly believe that’s not where the freedom journey ends. Holistic care is a high value at Sari Bari, which is why they journey with women as partners in their social support needs as they continue to take courageous steps towards restoration and wholeness. Watch their video to see them in action: Ready to check out a unique gift that gives back to the world? Your tween will collect about a million compliments on her Meye Messenger Bag! 

Hannah's ShoeboxHannah's Shoe Box

Your tween girl’s feet may be as big as yours, but that doesn’t mean women’s shoes are appropriate or even comfortable! Hannah's Shoebox was created after the store's owner, a mother, became frustrated with her challenge to find age-appropriate shoes for her then six-year-old daughter who was wearing a size six shoe at that time. Her daughter's shoe size continued to match her age until she reached age 11. By that time, the challenge to find age-appropriate shoes had become even more difficult. That's when and why Hannah's Shoebox was born. Don’t waste another dime on poorly-made shoes that just don’t meet your daughter’s needs! Hannah’s Shoe Box offer quality shoes in women’s sizes 5-13 that are undeniably cute and age-appropriate for tweens! Every style and occasion is covered, from every day school and uniform shoes to special-occasion, with the boots, wedges and sandals your girl wants. BROWSE THE GREAT STYLES HERE! So, the more you know, the easier this “parenting-a-tween” thing gets, right? Inspire her confidence in all areas of her life – with these great brands and your support, you know she can take on the world! Be sure to share this post with other moms – they’ll thank you later! *Money can buy you lots of great Dragonwing gear, but it can’t buy you love! These opinions are solely our own, based on personal knowledge of the above products. These are not affiliate links, and no promotional fees have been paid. Dragonwing Icon
Last Firsts from a Soccer Mom. - Dragonwing Girl

Last Firsts from a Soccer Mom.

It is that time of year for parents of high school seniors when we're enjoying the last -firsts of many club and high school events. Last first soccer game of the year, last first day of the last semester, last club night. Looking back at all the things I've learned, I've decided (rather than wallow), I'd share a few of the most useful lessons. From the importance of chocolate milk to the recruiting process. Make sure to catch next few blogs. I'd love to hear your stories and tips too! Here's to team Glow Angel -where it all started, and to the coaches, parents and friends I've made on the fields. xo MaryAnne
No Texting and Swimming! - Dragonwing Girl

No Texting and Swimming!

Now that Thanksgiving is over, high school swim season is just around the corner—Anna’s first meet is four days from now. Two friends and I are the volunteer “meet officials” for her school so we are in charge of the timers, setting up the computer, and making sure everything runs smoothly. Anna’s school has a combined middle school/high school team, which at first glance sounds nuts, but it works. The middle schoolers (7th and 8th graders) pair up with “big brother/ big sisters” (upperclassmen) who cheer for them, support them, and help them acclimate to the team. This is Anna’s first year being a big sister, and she’s taking her job as role model for a tween girl very seriously. She’ll be emphasizing team spirit, cheering for teammates, sportsmanship and helping clean up after the meet. Tween girls go through a lot of changes in such a short period of time that life can get overwhelming for them. There’s sports, school, boys, and concerns about body image. In addition, today’s tweens are dealing with all the social pressures found in social media that we as parents never had to deal with. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat can add to social pressures and in some cases lead to isolation.
photo credit: Jim Bahn photo credit: Jim Bahn
The blessing of swimming two hours a day four or five days a week is that phones and computers are not allowed near the pool—the kids can’t check Instagram while executing a flip turn! But more importantly, there is less time for social media. Swimming on a team, or participating in any sport, leads to real friendships and face-to-face conversations. I know it sounds crazy, but as the first meet approaches I’m really looking forward to managing the meet with my friends and watching the girls form new friendships.
Fortunes Up for Interpretation - Dragonwing Girl

Fortunes Up for Interpretation

Pick a path with heart
I know, I know. The wise fortune cookie writers probably had deeper endeavors in mind when writing this fortune. Oh well. Today, I picked my path with heart. Today, a Sunday in late January, my path was Netflix. I woke up at 9:03 am. It took me until 10:47 am to get out of bed. An hour and 44 minutes. That would be a full run through my Twitter and Instagram timelines, the Snapchat stories, my texts—all three of them—and two full episodes of "Lost." A great morning if you ask me. At 10:47, since I had already wasted those two hours, I decided the window for productivity for the entire day had closed. Basically, I ruined the possibility for anything to actually get done (other than finishing another season)....so I continued. This time with some food in my system.
If there's anything better than a Netflix day, it's a Netflix day with really really good snacks.
Is there real stuff I could be doing? Well, of course. I'll get it done. Maybe...tomorrow (I promise that isn't what I said yesterday). And besides, filling out statistics worksheets brings me about one-third of the joy that muscly shirtless boys do walking around "The Island" trying to save the world. And while I might have to scramble to finish my worksheet before class tomorrow, at least I can say something like, "it was my fortune to enjoy my day like this!" Nobody can get mad at the universe (or the universes' messengers in the form of fortune writers), right?! Lucky numbers: 50: Number of handfuls of goldfish I’ve scooped into my mouth 47: Number of minutes per episode 22: Number of episodes in a season 1: Number of seasons I started and finished today 35: Number of times I thought about working out (Coincidentally, it’s also the number of times I chose not to workout) 20: Minutes it would take to just finish the worksheet
Hello December...and almost January! - Dragonwing Girl

Hello December...and almost January!

I know, it’s been a couple months…when I said I was a busy girl, I wasn't kidding. But I’ve made it through the rough patch of my senior year, and, more importantly, I’ve made it through another full year. They say that these last few days of the year are a time to reflect. We think about the milestone events that happened in the past 12 months. We think about the best days we had, the vacations we took, awards we achieved, tournaments we (almost) won, and friends we made. However, sometimes only the biggest events (like starting senior year, or going to the Justin Timberlake concert) come to our head. Sometimes, the bad events might even overpower the good in our memories, so we can’t smile and be proud of our year. Good or bad, that’s a lot of things to keep straight and remember about the past 12 months. Every year is a good year, it just might be tough to remember why. So, to solve that exact problem, starting January 1st of last year, I decided I was going to write down all of the highlights from the year. After every fun day, exciting night, or memorable moment, I would write down all the details of the great day. I like to include the tiny details, like “when my friend and I smiled across the room at an inside joke that our teacher said”, or “he said these exact words to me” because they’re details that can only be remembered if they’re written down. I put them on a small piece of paper, and into a jar that doesn’t get opened until December 31st. Last year, opening the notes was incredible. There were a lot of big events that I remembered, but there were also lots of little sayings or small moments that I had completely forgotten about, and opening all of them put a huge smile on my face. Since I enjoyed it so much, I decided to do it again this year, and my jar is twice as full as it was a year ago. Now, just a few short days stand in between me and all of my memories and I can’t wait to reminisce, and then start all over again next year!
Rock climbing is my passion

Looking for a New Sport? Try Rock Climbing!

Hey Girlz 2 Women! I wanted to share a bit about a different sport- ROCK CLIMBING! If you've never tried it before, it is a blast. I know many people who have tried other sports and they feel awkward, unfit or uncomfortable for any number of reasons, but then they found climbing. Rock climbing is a whole different world that helps you explore your inner self, test your limits, learn about your body and feel great in the process. I'm 42 (old in girls years) and only started climbing when I was 34, much later than most people. But in that time, I have found a better sense of self, learned not to second-guess myself so much, met so many wonderful people in the climbing community, and explored beautiful places around the country where I've climbed for days at a time. Triangle Rock Club is a climbing gym in Morrisville, NC where I now teach climbing. One of the classes I teach is called Women on the Wall, which is focused on general climbing techniques, and a brief history of female climbers and exploration of the benefits we have as women in the climbing world.The class is an empowering atmosphere in which to learn the basics. If you are interested in exploring something new, you can find more info at www.trianglerockclub.com. Feel free to ask for me! There is a wonderful blog online focused just on girls and rock-climbing. You should check it out - you'll actually find a little feature on little ol' me - http://girlcrushrock.wordpress.com/2012/12/27/sarah-wolfe-you-rock/ . Rock on, girlfriends! -Sarah Wolfe, Rock Climbing Instructor at Triangle Rock Club.
Previewing the National Women's Soccer League - Dragonwing Girl

Previewing the National Women's Soccer League

In November of 2012, the soccer world heard exciting news from U.S. soccer president Suni Guladi about the creation of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The eight-team league will begin this spring and features many prominent soccer players including FIFA player of the year Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and Heather O’Reilly. While some of the franchises are not new, the NWSL is, the first of it’s kind with a college and supplemental draft. Many of the teams have already been in existence Here is an exclusive analysis Dragonwing girlgear’s team by team preview for this season. BOSTON BREAKERS Location: Dilboy Stadium, Somerville, MA Head Coach: Lisa Cole Key Players: Heather O’Reilly, Sydney Leroux Outlook: Last year, the Breakers won the Women’s Professional Soccer League (WPSL) Elite regular season title with an 11-3 overall record. Led by Coach Cole, the team has shown consistent success in professional league play, although several players have come and gone. In 2011, it had eight members of the world cup team on its roster, establishing itself as a formidable opponent that has seasons of winning, experience and viable coaching. Visit their Website WASHINGTON SPIRIT Location: Maryland SoccerPlex, Germantown, MD Head Coach: Mike Jorden Key Players: Ali Kreiger, Caroline Miller (MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist) Outlook: Washington D,C’s newest professional sports team will be in action and will work closely with D.C. United to bring soccer success back to the D.C. area. Last year, the D.C. United Women, a team in the USL’s W-League finished the season ranked third in their league and had their season come to a disappointing end with a 1-0 loss at the hands of the Ottawa Fury. 10-time Virginia State Cup champion Mike Jorden will be at the helm for the Spirit who will look to use their youth and speed to make a statement to the rest of the league. Visit their website FC SKY BLUE Location: Yurcak Field at Rutgers Univeristy, Piscataway, NJ Head Coach: Jim Gabarra Key Players: Christie Rampone Outlook: Despite the lack of huge stars on this team, U.S. national team captain Christie Rampone is certainly capable of leading and establishing her team as a tough foe. The team did not compete last year in the Women’s Professional League, but they did send several of its members for a March tour in Japan. This team shouldn’t be ruled out, but they may face some difficulty to reach the top of the standings. Visit their website CHICAGO RED STARS Location: Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL Head Coach: Rory Dames Key Players: Shannon Boxx, Amy LePeilbet, Zakiya Bywaters Outlook: Winning the first overall pick in the NWSL college draft, the Red Stars selected Pac-12 player of the year Zakiya Bywaters. The team will be without defender Amy LePeilbet this season due to an ACL injury, so they will look to Shannon Boxx to keep the defense steady. Success has followed this franchise, especially in recent years. The Red Stars were US National Cup Champions and finalists in the WPSL Elite league both last year and in 2011. A deadly combination of success and experience should give Chicago an outstanding advantage this season. Visit their website WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH Location: Sahlen Stadium, Rochester, NY Head Coach: Aaron Lines Key Players: Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd Outlook: Opposing teams must send out their best against FIFA player of the year and all around soccer start, Abby Wambach. Wambach is a beloved native of Pittsford, NY and since announcing her signing, season ticket sales have doubled, according to Sahlen stadium president Pat Eroli. Added attraction is midfielder Carli Lloyd, Wambach’s teammate in the 2011 World Cup. The buzz around this team is huge and places the Flash as a major contender for the championship. Visit their website PORTLAND THORNS FC Location: JELD-WEN field, Portland, OR Head Coach: Cindy Parlow Key Players: Alex Morgan, Christie Sinclair, Tobin Heath, Rachel Buehler Outlook: Just by roster allocation alone, the Thorns are the expected favorite to win the league. The team has deep experience at the Olympic level and Canadian Christie Sinclair is one of the best strikers in the world. Put Sinclair with Alex Morgan, and the Thorns may be the highest scoring team in the league. Star power alone may push this team deep into the season and coach Cindy Parlow can certainly get them there. The two-time gold medalist and former Hermann trophy winner at UNC brings success everywhere she goes and there is little doubt she will do so with the Thorns. Note: Morgan suffered a twisted left ankle in a U.S. national team friendly match against Scotland on Feb. 9. The team listed her officially as day-to-day, but she should be good to go for the season opener. Visit their website SEATTLE REIGN FC Location: Starfire Stadium, Tukwila, WA Head Coach: Laura Harvey Key Players: Megan Rapinoe, Hope Solo, Amy Rodriguez Outlook: Seattle poses the toughest threats to Portland, and we are looking forward to an exciting regional rivaltry. located in the same region may create an intriguing rivalry that will excite fans. The Seattle area is well known for its soccer, with goalkeeper Hope Solo coming home to play for the team. A strong midfield will likely propel Seattle into contention. Visit their website FC KANSAS CITY Location: Shawnee Mission North District Stadium, Overland Park, KS Head Coach: Vlatko Andonovski Key Players: Lauren Cheney, Nicole Barnhart, Renae Cuellar Outlook: According to ESPN contributor, Julie Foudy, FC Kansas City received the “second-strongest allocation of players.” Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart will be solid in net, having backed up Hope Solo in both the Olympics and World Cup. She earned starting experience when she had to step in for Solo who was injured during the qualifying stage of the Women’s World Cup. California native Renae Cueller is an up and comer who played for Mexico during the World Cup is drawing attention from around the world. Add crafty Lauren Cheney and this core of talent is a potent force. We are predicting KC could be a dark horse in the league championship. Visit their website
SOCCER IS HERE!!!! - Dragonwing Girl

SOCCER IS HERE!!!!

It’s finally soccer season!! I can’t believe it’s here—my senior year of soccer. It’s crazy to believe that at the end of this season, I will be done with high school. Senior night will be for me. It’s my last year in the CA jersey. Whaat.

The last time I touched a soccer ball was 10 months ago, on our last game of last season. I had no idea how good or bad I would be getting back into it. For the first 20 minutes of our first practice back, the ball definitely felt foreign, but I’ll blame it on being indoors due to the snow, not my 10 soccer-less months.

When I finally got adjusted, I remembered how much I love soccer. And competing. I had so much freakin energy and I was so ready to play 90 minutes against our biggest rivals.

We’ve got big expectations for this year. I think our team is pretty stacked, and I personally believe a state championship is in our future. We’ll see how it goes!

Corie Barry: From Rugby Field to CEO - Dragonwing Girl

Corie Barry: From Rugby Field to CEO

There's no arguing the fitness benefits for girls playing sports -- but does it really increase their likelihood of success later in life? Athletics teach values that go far beyond the court or field: cooperation, determination, discipline, and how to succeed under pressure. 

As more women enter the C-Suite, it's notable how many laid the foundation for their success playing competitive sports early in life.

Corie Barry spent much of her career with Best Buy, having served as Chief Financial Officer before being named CEO. Before that, she played college rugby and considered a career in dance. For her, an impressive title and resume must include her husband and two kids, youth baseball games, gymnastics with her daughter, and active time spent together with her family. 

"My point of view is there is no perfect balance," says Barry. "All you can do is figure out what works for you. I laugh because I'm always the mom who shows up at the baseball game in my heels, and that's OK." 

Read Corie Barry Becomes Fifth CEO in Best Buy History

Whether it's business or sports, Barry has advice we can all use. "I've always felt it's important to demand a return on your investment. If you're going to put your time in, where you put it in and the return you get is incredibly important because there are only so many hours in a day."

Corie's is an inspiring success story for athletic girls in every sport.  

Read "Boardrooms And Ballfields: Best Buy CFO Corie Barry Talks Motherhood" 

 

This one thing could keep your tween girl in sports

This one thing could keep your tween girl in sports

Thanks to Chris Deacon for her excellent journalism in the Sept 6 issue of Today's Parent. Her article follows!

Studies show that girls start quitting sports in the tween years—this solution might surprise you.

Growing up, Juanita Lee ran track and rowed, but her sport of choice was tennis. She played the game from age six until age 14 when— seemingly overnight— her breasts grew from a 32A to 34DD.

The change immediately set her apart from her more petite, flat-chested opponents and made the teenager extremely self-conscious. She hated the sensation of her breasts moving when she ran on the court and how exposed she felt in her scoop-neck tennis dress whose padded cups only accentuated her size. And because breasts move independently of the body, (both up and down and side to side,) Lee also started experiencing breast pain, an issue she was too embarrassed to discuss with her parents. Not long after, Juanita used a sports injury as an excuse to quit tennis altogether and turned her attention to rowing, where breast movement wasn’t an issue, and running, a sport that—while still painful—meant she could wear baggy t-shirts for coverage.

Lee isn’t the only girl whose breast development has affected their participation in sports. In a 2016 survey of more than 2,000 British girls aged 11 to 18, nearly three-quarters said their breasts got in the way of enjoying sports. According to the study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, when girls hit puberty they start pulling out of athletics and skipping gym class to avoid the pain and embarrassment of breasts that are either too big, too small or —the chief complaint—too bouncy.

It turns out there could be an easy fix—a sports bra. While a given for professional female athletes, this undergarment is often omitted from the equipment list of girls’ sports teams. And while jockstraps are offered to boys for protection and to prevent discomfort caused by excessive movement during exercise, sports bras that serve the same purpose for girls have not been a part of the cultural conversation. In fact, only 10 percent of girls surveyed in the British study had worn one.

So how can a parent navigate the tricky terrain of breast development and sports with their tween?

Here are five tips:

Start the conversation early: Your daughter may not need the support of a sports bra yet, but it’s worth tackling the topic early on, before she gets embarrassed about it. If she’s not ready for the discussion in the moment, MaryAnne Gucciardi—whose company, Dragonwing girlgear specializes in performance base-layers such as sports bras and support tops for girls aged 8 to 17, encourages parents to stick with it. “It’s a hard conversation for a parent,” she says, noting that dads in particular, have a hard time with the topic, “but it’s even harder for a child. They don’t know yet what they need. They just know what they’re feeling.”

Be matter of fact: Gucciardi also suggests sticking with the facts when broaching the idea of a sports bra. “You could say something like, “I want you to play your best. I want you to feel comfortable, and have good support to prevent injury and stay healthy and just like boys with a jockstrap for support and to prevent injury, this is what girls wear,’” she says. Explain to you daughter the difference between your average tween bra (which often looks like a sports bra) and the real thing. Most tween bras are made with thin cotton and flimsy straps. A good sports bra, by contrast, has smooth but stretchy fabric that moves as the athlete moves, with straps and a band that stay in place.

Shop it alone: While the odd girl might enjoy looking for a bra with her mom, most don’t, says Gucciardi, so parents should start the process. One idea, she says, is to buy a few different styles of sports bras and support tops and leave them in your daughter’s drawer—while keeping in mind she probably won’t model them for you. “She might have you hand them back and forth until she finds one that she likes,” she says, “Be patient. If you let her control the conversation, then she’ll feel in control of her body.”

Go for fit: Thirteen-year-old Melanie Paulson’s* parents have been helping her shop for sports bras since she started developing breasts in Grade 4, with little success. “I don’t find them very comfortable,” says the avid hockey player, who now shops in the women’s section. But many women’s sport bras are padded which makes breasts look bigger—the last thing most tweens and teens want. And Gucciardi cautions that an improper fit—caused by a bra that’s too big— can lead to back problems. “You could have a bigger bust but a small rib-cage,” she explains, suggesting that parents seek out sports bras that are specifically designed for tweens and teens, and that take this silhouette variation into account so that the fit is precise. Lululemon, Nike and Gucciardi’s brand all carry quality sports bras for this age group. Look for a fit that is snug but not tight with straps that don’t droop or slip. And if you’re buying online, it’s worth taking the time to measure your daughter and refer to the size chart rather than order the size that corresponds to her age. Parents should measure just under the rib cage to get the right fit as opposed to across the chest, and, when the bra is on, be able to fit not more than one finger under the band. The band should be as wide as possible while still being comfortable for your child.

Comfort is key: Gucciardi recommends quality sports bras that use high performance, moisture wicking fabric (that moves the sweat away from the skin) with mesh for coolness and breath-ability. “Girls get super embarrassed when they think they sweat and smell and that people notice it,” she says. Also look for thin, removable pads for coverage and softness. “Nipples showing is another source of embarrassment,” she says. Nipple chafing— especially common with runners— is also an issue. Finally, choose a sports bra that’s seamless and tag-free to prevent irritation. Now that you’ve got a bra for your daughter, can you really expect it to be the difference between giving up sports and staying in the game? For Juanita Lee, now 27, the answer is—absolutely. “I was kind of a shy kid and I never felt comfortable saying, ”oh, my boobs hurt.” she says. In grade 10, Lee got her first sports bra at the suggestion of her female rugby coach, and she played rugby until the end of high school. *Name has been changed.

Our favorite event is starting today!  Keep Girls in Sports by Donating Your Slightly Used Bras! - Dragonwing Girl

Our favorite event is starting today! Keep Girls in Sports by Donating Your Slightly Used Bras!

This year, you can support an AMAZING CAUSE by donating your used sports bras of any size to Goals for Girls, who will distribute them on their upcoming mission trips to South Africa and India.  

Together we can help girls around the world have access to sports bras that allow them to enjoy the fun, skill building benefits of sports with confidence.  You have two ways of sending in your donation: 


1)  directly to Goals for Girls, c/o Jackie Skinner, Director of Operations, Goals for Girls, 1025 West Macfarland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84116
or to
2) Dragonwing girlgear, attn Goals for Girls, 510 Meadowmont Village Circle Suite 188, Chapel Hill NC 27517 and we will consolidate and send a large box (or boxes!).

In past years, we've sent over 1,000 bras so let's make 2019 the best year ever.  If you send your bra's directly to Goals for Girls, take a photo and send to us or post on social media with our #dragonwinggirl.  For everyone who donates bras, we will present you with a $10 gift card for Dragonwing - our way of saying thanks for keeping girls in the game!

 

I can't, I have soccer - Dragonwing Girl

I can't, I have soccer

I'm busy. Like really busy. So busy that I don't know what to do with myself when I don't have anything to do on a school night. Since 5th grade I have had to balance homework and at least one activity almost every school night. Earlier on in high school, I would go to school each day, leave from school and go straight to soccer practice, come home from soccer and work on my homework, and go to bed, wake up and do it all over again. I typically had one night off from soccer each week, and that was strictly devoted to homework and sleep. On Friday afternoons, I would leave for the weekend to take a bus trip to another state for two games. Getting ahead (or catching up!) was key. Now, I have two jobs, a senior level amount of homework, college apps, numerous clubs to keep track of, on top of sleeping, and making time with friends. But it all gets done, and I haven't gone crazy, at least not yet. I've seen this picture over and over on Twitter...and I disagree! You can even make this a square by adding SPORTS to this and there's a way to reach all four corners. It's difficult, and can be exhausting, but there's always a way to manage. Knowing what you want to do, and what's most important to you is the key. I always put school at the top of my triangle, so no matter what, my school work gets done. Sleep typically comes second, although sometimes it comes behind my sports. As for a social life, yes, it's true, I've missed school dances and other school events during the week. And the "I can't, I have soccer" has made it out of my mouth more than a few times, but I still believe in my social life. We're with our friends all day at school! And a soccer game at 3:00 on Saturday doesn't mean the whole night is gone (although it might feel that way sometimes). Not to mention teammates can also be good friends. Being so busy, I've grown to worship my agenda! Prioritizing my work, taking advantage of free time and getting ahead when I can, keeps me sane. I'm a girl who can not function on less than 7 hours of sleep. 11PM is my maximum bedtime on school nights. I make a habit of writing down EVERYTHING I have to do, and it feels that much better when I get to cross each event off. You can always make it through another day no matter what your schedule looks like. Leave a comment below with your biggest challenge or best tip for maintaining your balance.