GRITTY IN PNK WITH THE PINK HELMET POSSE

STRONG GIRLS, GREAT DADS: HAZEL AND PETER PLAY BASKETBALL

I see a lot of dads playing sports with their sons in our neighborhood park, so when I saw a dad playing basketball with his young daughter, I was inspired and wanted to meet them.

Peter Banks plays on a team with friends.  When Hazel started to ask him about the game, he bought a small ball and started taking her to Carroll park to do catching, passing, and shooting hoops. They are currently looking for a hoop that is a better (shorter) size for Hazel.

Peter shared "I've always played sports and I would like her to have the option to enjoy sports, too."

What does Hazel like about playing basketball? "It's fun!" And here's what she likes about being a girl: "You get to do a lot of things.  It's cool. It's very nice!"

HOW A MOM SUPPORTS HER DAUGHTERS TO BE ACTIVE

Lucy, at 17 Months, on the Monkey Bars

My friend Aynsley sent me this photo of her 17-month-old daughter, Lucy, on the monkey bars.  I asked Aynsley to share a bit about her philosophy on supporting her girls to stay physically active. Here's what she said

"My girls are 5 1/2 and 17 months. I feel very strongly about exposing them to a variety of sports and dance in the hopes of instilling a lifelong love of movement. Whatever it is, I want them to know there is some way to move their body that brings them joy.  

My older daughter is obsessed with the monkey bars, which has been a wonderful learning tool. Any time she says something is hard - a puzzle, for example -  we can remind her how she began on the monkey bars: not being able to even hold on for a long time, let alone move across them. And how her persistence and hard work have gotten her farther.

The back story on the photo of Lucy is that my little one always wanted to do what her older sister is doing! So as Eliza does the monkey bars, Lucy wants to hang, too. Lucy is adventurous with her body and already finds joy in physical activities like climbing, dancing and swimming."

STRONG GIRLS DO KARATE: IRELAND'S JESSE-JANE MCPARLAND

STRONG GIRLS DJ: LIVIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO RUN DMC

Check out:  DJ Livia on FB

STRONG GIRLS SWING: LUCY ON THE TRAVELING RINGS AT SUNSET

SRONG GIRLS DO WOODWORK: LUCY MAKES A GIANT SPOON

Lucy's dad set up a hallway woodworking station where she could engage in her own projects. Currently, she is making a giant spoon.

STRONG GIRLS SWING: LUCY ON THE TRAVELING RINGS

STRONG GIRLS SWING: GWYNETH ON THE TRAVELING RINGS

I met Gwyneth while hanging out with friends at the Riverside Park Traveling Rings in NYC.  I helped Gwyn practice until she was able to go from the first to the second ring. Gwyneth, who will be 8 in a few weeks,  said "This is the first time I got to the second ring two times in a row!" Gwyneth, who takes videos of herself when she travels to different parts of the country, would like to create a blog for other young people which features these videos.  Go, Gwyn, go!

To learn more about the traveling rings, see this video.

STRONG GIRLS, GREAT DADS

Dads play an important role in helping their daughters build confidence in their own physical strength. Here, in Carroll Park, in Brooklyn, New York, Ian helps his 4-year-old daughter Orli learn to skate on the playground.

* This photo is one of a series of posts that I am dedicating to strong girls and women