As the mother of tween girls, ages 8 and 11, Janina Pietsch wants nothing more than to raise well-rounded young women.

Instilling both confidence and compassion in her girls are top priorities, said the Honolulu resident, 39.

"It's just very important as they grow up and as they venture off into the big, scary world, so to speak," said Pietsch, a stay-at-home mom. "They've got all kinds of choices to make, good ones and bad ones, and I just pray we give them the skills to make the right choices and ultimately to make a difference in the world."

Pietsch was among nearly 100 parents who recently attended an informational session on ClubCharm, a new after-school center geared toward girls ages 7 to 12 that promotes leadership values through workshops, creative sessions and social activities. The organization launches Sept. 2 and is taking applications for enrollment.

In contrast to charm schools of generations ago, which focused on appearance and behavior — things like proper posture and table manners — ClubCharm delves into money management, fitness, healthy relationships, community involvement and global awareness.

"We're providing the girls an environment to come and learn leadership skills through joy and self confidence," said Violet Shimoko, founder and CEO of ClubCharm. "We're building these skill sets, and hopefully those will be part of their 'toolbox' that they can use when they're grown up."

A well-rounded young woman is someone who possesses "the trifecta of self-love, self-esteem and confidence, as well as soundness of body, mind and spirit," said Karen Elizaga, a professional life and executive coach who helped develop the ClubCharm curriculum.

These girls and women are able to create joy and love for themselves from the inside, and from that they can be productive members of a community, Elizaga said.

"(They) have goals and dreams, and actually have the courage to act on these goals and dreams," she said.

Parents can raise their daughters to be confident and well-rounded by loving them for who they are and allowing them to express what they think and feel, Elizaga said.

"They are then able to move confidently through life and create happiness and success for themselves," she said. "We want to build independent thinkers who know that they have the resources to rise to any challenge that life presents them."

ClubCharm aims to help girls conquer their self doubts and insecurities, Elizaga added.

"At some point, our daughters will be leaving the safety and security of our homes and their schools, and we want them to have the tools, strategy and strength to soar in any environment," Elizaga said.

TIPS FOR RAISING WELL-ROUNDED, FUTURE LEADERS

Karen Elizaga, a professional life and executive coach, offers parents of tween girls advice on how to raise well-rounded, confident young ladies and future leaders:
• Love your daughters and let them know they are loved, no matter what.
• Allow them to express themselves — the good, the bad and the ugly. They need to know you’re listening to them with your undivided attention, so do away with distractions — the television, computer, cell phones — and actually focus on what they have to say.
• Accept your daughters. They need to know that home is a safe place for them to let their hair down and be their authentic selves. There is no other place that can be as nonjudgmental as your own home.
• Feed your daughters. Whole and organic nutrition is such an important key to clarity of mind, body and spirit. It’s often overlooked, but it is the one thing they can have 100 percent control over and can positively affect their outlook.
• Get your daughters to move. Exercise allows them to be comfortable with, and hopefully love, their bodies. It also contributes to brain development.
• Let your daughters contribute. They will get value and esteem out of being of service to others; understanding that they are a small, yet powerful, part of a large world is enormous.
• Have fun with your daughters. Life and their youth are too short to take everything so seriously.