How do we raise caring, compassionate and courageous children in a world hell-bent on the superficial and the selfish? How do we transform “me me me” into “we”? How do we regain some of the neighborhood-watch, “it takes a village”, “we’re all in this together” approach to parenting so all our kids are better off? All over the world.

The invincible feeling of wanting to make the world a better place is in every one of us when we’re young. We grow more realistic and less idealistic over time. But why? Our children look to us as beacons to their future, as examples to emulate, as superheroes even.

No need to let them down. Let’s just emulate THEM! Let them feed us their dreams and inspire us to action.

Our kids know to recycle. They yearn to help the rainforest. They care deeply about animals. They show compassionate concern for others who hurt. They want to right wrongs. They have a raw sense of what is fair (and not). They love completely and without reservation.

Let’s, as grown-ups, tap that inner sweetness and rekindle our own Can-Do spirit. And then stand strong and together in the knowledge that we’re not perfect, but that we can try every day in small ways to make the world a better place.

My good friend Amy has a sign in her kitchen that says “Kindness Matters.” What a mom. What a human. What a strong example to her boys that it’s in the little decisions every day that we are good.

Watch this video from Free The Children and be inspired to be the hero your kids need you to be. And to then help them be the kids the world needs them to be.

- Gisela

Mommy and Dad:

The most powerful person in the world for me
Is not the founder of Facebook
It’s not President Obama
Is not Spiderman
Is not even Miley Cyrus.
The person I admire the most,
Even when I don’t wanna admit it
Is YOU.
You.
YOU.

But here’s the thing...
I don’t suddenly turn 18
And decide to change the world.
I need your help.

Challenge me.
Lead by example.

I’m inheriting this messed-up world.
So please give me the tools to help fix it.

So my kids one day
Will not have to fight in wars.
Not have to breathe with a mask when they go out to play.
Or live in a world where 2 billion people are living off less than 2 dollars a day.
Or will only be able to see polar bears in a book, because they’ll be gone.

Most of all, I need you.
To believe in Me.

And to do this,
It starts with community.
It starts with family.
It starts with small steps.
It starts with YOU.

Simple steps every day.

Because the world needs me.
But the world needs you first.

To be planting the seed.
Having the conversations.
And be there when I need help.

Because the most powerful people in the world are:
baseball coaches, mentors, teachers, –– and especially moms and dads.

And here’s the deal.
We can’t wait.
The world can’t wait.

We need to start now.
We needed to start yesterday.

Help me and ME and me and ME
be the change.