Introduction: Not enough as she is -- The college application industrial complex -- Girls and social media: the virtual second shift -- Can we fat talk? -- Overcoming self-doubt and closing the confidence gap -- Mental treadmills: expecting the worst and overthinking -- Turning self-criticism into self-compassion -- The cult of effortless perfection and the rise of stress olympics -- Control + alt + delete: the merits of changing course -- We can't give our children what we don't have -- The senior year slap in the face: life after college -- Conclusion: "Dearest daughter: lean inside."

Offers advice to help parents guide teenage girls to recognize and reject perfectionist messages that lead to self-doubt, unfulfilling relationships, and fears of failure, and teach them self-compassion, how to take healthy risks, and the importance of finding support