The Power of Hero Spotting: Recognizing the Heros Around Us

As we navigate life's challenges, we can find ourselves focused on the obstacles ahead. Whether it’s the stress of parenting, the struggles of managing daily responsibilities, or the ups and downs of our teenage girls’ journeys, it’s easy to feel weighed down by the difficulties we face. But what if we started looking for the heroes around us instead of focusing solely on the challenges?

Hero spotting—a concept I explore in Meant For More—is about recognizing the everyday heroes who show up in our lives in big and small ways. It’s about seeing the people, moments, and qualities that inspire us to rise above adversity and move forward with strength and courage. Hero spotting doesn’t just apply to others; it’s about spotting the hero within ourselves and our daughters, too.

What is Hero Spotting?

At its core, hero spotting involves looking for helpers who make a positive impact, even amid life’s struggles. It’s about recognizing that heroism doesn’t always involve grand, sweeping acts of bravery. Sometimes, heroism is found in the quiet moments of resilience, kindness, and perseverance.

As moms, hero-spotting can help us shift our focus from our difficulties to the sources of strength around us. These might be a close friend who always lends a listening ear, a mentor who helps guide us through tough decisions, or even our own ability to keep going when life gets hard. By hero-spotting, we learn to recognize the strength in others—and in ourselves—that often goes unnoticed.

Why Hero Spotting is Important for Moms and Teens

As moms, we are often our daughters’ primary role models. How we handle challenges directly influences how they approach their own struggles. When we practice hero spotting, we teach our teens to do the same—to seek out the sources of inspiration in their lives and recognize the heroes around them.

For our teenage girls, adolescence can be an overwhelming time. They are navigating their identities, relationships, and emotions while figuring out where they fit in the world. By hero spotting, they learn to look beyond their challenges and see the strength and bravery in both their internal and external worlds.

This is especially important in today’s culture, where social media often emphasizes comparison, perfection, and unattainable standards. By teaching our daughters to spot the heroes around them—whether it’s their friends, family members, or even public figures who inspire them—we help them build a mindset focused on growth, resilience, and the belief that they, too, can be heroes in their own right.

Hero Spotting in Action

One of the most empowering aspects of hero spotting is how it helps us recognize the heroes in our lives and the heroic qualities we already possess. It’s easy to get caught up in a self-doubt cycle or feel overwhelmed by challenges. But when we take the time to spot the heroes around us, we remind ourselves that we are part of something much bigger than our struggles.

So, what does hero spotting look like in practice? Here are a few ways to incorporate it into your daily life:

• Recognize Everyday Heroes: Take time to acknowledge the people in your life who show up for you, who make a difference in your life, or who simply provide a source of encouragement. These could be family members, friends, coworkers, or even strangers who inspire you through their actions. Acknowledge their impact, and let them know you see their heroism.

• Spot the Hero Within: It’s easy to overlook our own strengths, but when we take a moment to reflect, we can spot the hero within ourselves. Whether it’s our ability to stay calm in a crisis, our dedication to our families, or our willingness to learn from our mistakes, we all have heroic qualities. Recognizing these within ourselves empowers us to face future challenges with confidence.

• Encourage Your Teen to Spot Heroes: Help your daughter recognize the strength in others and within herself. When she faces difficulties, ask her to think about the heroes in her life—who she can turn to for support, who inspires her, and what qualities she admires in others. This practice not only builds her resilience but also helps her develop a sense of gratitude for the people who help her along the way.

• Celebrate Heroic Moments: Take time to celebrate the small, heroic moments. These might be moments where you or your teen faced a challenge head-on or when a friend or loved one showed up in a big way. Whether it’s a text of support, a kind gesture, or the courage to speak up, celebrate these moments to reinforce the idea that heroism isn’t always about grand gestures—it’s about showing up with strength, compassion, and courage.

The Ripple Effect of Hero Spotting

When we practice hero spotting, it has a ripple effect. The more we recognize and celebrate the heroes around us, the more we encourage those heroic qualities in ourselves and others. Hero spotting doesn’t just help us find strength in challenging times—it helps us build a culture of support, resilience, and growth.

This practice can be life-changing for our daughters. As they begin to see the heroes in their own lives, they start to internalize the belief that they, too, can be heroes. This mindset empowers them to face challenges with a sense of hope and possibility, knowing that they have the strength to overcome obstacles and make a positive impact on the world around them.

In Conclusion

Hero spotting is a simple yet powerful practice that can transform the way we approach challenges, relationships, and even ourselves. By recognizing the heroes in our lives, we learn to see strength and resilience where we may have once seen only difficulty. We become more aware of the support systems around us, and we learn to celebrate the quiet heroism that exists in everyday moments.

As we teach our daughters to spot the heroes around them—and the hero within—they begin to build a mindset of growth, confidence, and empowerment. And by doing so, we create a world where heroism isn’t a rare or extraordinary thing; it’s a part of who we are, and it’s something we all can embrace.

The Power of Community: Why It’s Essential for Moms and Teens Alike

As a mom of a teenage girl, you’ve probably experienced the ups and downs that come with navigating this critical stage in her life. The challenges are real, from helping her build confidence to managing the complex emotions of adolescence. However, one of the most important resources we have in this journey is the power of community.

Community is more than just a group of people; it’s a space where we feel supported, understood, and connected. For us as moms and for our teenage girls, it’s essential to have a community where we can lean on others, share experiences, and feel empowered to face the challenges ahead.

The Importance of Belonging

At its core, community offers a sense of belonging. When we belong to a group—whether it’s other moms, mentors, or supportive friends—it gives us the strength to face adversity. It’s so easy to feel isolated, especially when dealing with the pressures of parenting a teenager and managing our busy lives. But community reminds us that we’re not alone.

The need for belonging is even more critical for our daughters. Adolescence is a time of change, self-discovery, and sometimes confusion. A supportive community helps them feel seen, heard, and valued. It offers them a place to explore who they are without fear of judgment, knowing they have people around them who care.

Fostering Connection Over Comparison

In today’s digital age, it's easy to get trapped in the comparison cycle. Our teenage girls are bombarded with images and stories that often set unrealistic standards, leading to insecurity and self-doubt. As a mom, it’s easy to feel that same pressure. However, community provides a counterbalance to this constant comparison.

When we’re surrounded by people who encourage each other rather than compete, we shift the focus from comparison to connection. We can show our teens that real growth happens when we lift each other up, not when we tear others down. In this spirit of support, our daughters learn to thrive—not by measuring themselves against others but by embracing their unique journey.

Learning From Shared Experiences

One of the greatest gifts that a community offers is the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences. As moms, we know there’s no “one-size-fits-all” guide to raising a teenage girl. What works for one family might not work for another. But by connecting with others who are going through similar experiences, we can share strategies, tips, and even just a word of encouragement when we need it most.

Similarly, your teen can learn a lot from others in a supportive community. Whether it’s a group of friends, a youth organization, or a school club, having a place where they can hear different perspectives and share their challenges helps them feel more confident in navigating the world around them.

The Role of Positive Role Models

In a strong community, role models can make a lasting impact. For moms and teens, access to people who exemplify qualities like resilience, empathy, and self-confidence can be a powerful motivator. These role models show us that we don’t have to be perfect to be successful—we just have to keep showing up, learning, and growing.

Our teens need to see other people who have overcome challenges and who model healthy behaviors and self-compassion. These mentors—whether older teens, teachers, coaches, or even other moms—can offer invaluable wisdom and guidance that helps our daughters feel more equipped to face their challenges.

Creating Your Own Supportive Network

If you feel like you don’t have a supportive community, it’s never too late to build one. Start small by contacting other moms in your neighborhood, joining online groups that share your values, or volunteering for school events. The more we put ourselves out there, the more we attract the right people who will lift us up and help us thrive.

Encourage your teen to join groups or clubs that align with their interests. Whether it’s a sports team, a book club, or a volunteer organization, having a group of like-minded peers will help them feel empowered, connected, and less isolated in their journey.

In Conclusion

Community is one of the most important sources of support, strength, and growth—both for us as moms and for our teenage girls. It gives us the confidence to face challenges, knowing that we have others beside us who care and understand. By fostering these connections, we teach our daughters that they don’t have to do it alone. And as we build stronger communities, we create spaces where everyone can thrive.

In the end, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up for each other, learning from each other, and creating a circle of support that empowers us to be the best versions of ourselves. And that, more than anything, is what truly makes a difference in our lives and the lives of our teens.

I Cleaned My Teenager's Room. *Gasp*

As parents, we want the best for our teens. We want them to grow into responsible, independent adults who can thrive in the world. But in the process, it’s easy to forget the enormous pressures they’re under. Between school, sports, social circles, part-time jobs, and the ever-growing expectations to excel at everything, today’s teens are juggling more than we often realize.

Take a moment to imagine it from their perspective: They’re supposed to ace every test, win every game, be a model friend and sibling, all while keeping their rooms spotless and their attitudes in check. Sound familiar? It’s no wonder our teens sometimes seem overwhelmed or stressed out.

Here’s the thing—our kids want to succeed. They want to make us proud, but sometimes they don’t know how to ask for help when they’re struggling. As parents, we might add to the pressure by focusing on what still needs to be done, forgetting that a little grace can go a long way.

I know how easy it is to get wrapped up in making sure our kids learn all the “right” lessons: responsibility, independence, time management, and resilience. But sometimes, we overlook teaching one of the most critical lessons of all—it’s okay to ask for help when you’re overwhelmed.

Think about it: when we’re busy and stressed, we lean on our own support systems—whether that’s asking a friend for a favor, asking grandparents to step in, or hiring someone to help around the house. Our teens deserve to know it’s okay for them to ask for help, too. According to research, asking for help when we’re overwhelmed is a vital component of building resilience. It’s not just about fostering independence but also about understanding the strength found in community.

Recently, my daughter had an incredibly hectic week. Her room got messy, and instead of nagging her about it, I cleaned it for her. Why? Because I want her to know she can count on me when life gets overwhelming. Now, she can head into another busy week with a clear space to relax and recharge.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting we shield them from every challenge. Busy seasons are perfect opportunities to teach essential life skills like planning ahead, saying no, or preparing for what’s to come. But they also give us the chance to teach them self-compassion—to show them that it’s okay to ask for help when things get too hectic.

I’d love to hear from you: Would you, or have you ever, helped out when your teen is swamped? Maybe you cleaned their room or took on one of their chores. What lessons do you teach your teen during these busy seasons, and how do you support them through it?

Let’s share our ideas and support each other—because, at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to raise healthy, happy teens who know it’s okay to lean on their community when life gets tough.

(Image: AI generated image of a messy room)