Once in a while, I like to see the world from my kids’ point of view. I’m usually pretty good at knowing them inside and out, but it’s always important for me to see how they are really digesting things they experience and how they process this life and the world they live in. When I saw the prompt for this week’s “Finish the Sentence Friday”, The World Needs More… I immediately thought this would be a perfect question for my kids to answer.
We sat outside on our back patio one early evening to discuss this prompt, and Cade went first with his honest and quite insightful 9-year-old perspective…
Cade: The world needs more…
1. Habitat for animals, because they are taking so much land down to build buildings and malls.
2. Trees. Those are being taken down and we need them!
3. Peace. There’s too much violence in the world.
4. Wisdom: People are killing other people and they’re not thinking clearly.
5. Wealth. All the poor people of the world that don’t have food or water and so many things that we have.
6. Joy. Too many people are sad because they don’t have a home or food for their family and no one to comfort them.
7. Safety. A lot of people in the world aren’t safe because of bad people.
8. Homes. For all the homeless people.
9. Freedom. In other parts of the world.
10. Christ. Some people need a friend by their side and the best one is Christ.
As Cade was elaborating on his ideas, Cass was feverishly writing hers down. She made sure Cade was absolutely positively done with his input, before she would share hers… because brothers sometimes ‘copy’ everything older sisters do and say, and she would have none of that.
As often is the case, I am impressed with the values she holds tightly, and her understanding in what would truly make this world a better place.
Cassidy: The world needs more…
1. Patience with one another.
2. Love and kindness for each other no matter the color of your skin or who you are.
3. Understanding that people are different and not everyone is going to be like you.
4. Hope. We need more hope to get us through bad times.
5. Self Control. When people get mad, they need to control themselves and not get violent and do idiotic things.
6. People who are strong in what they want, not what others want for them.
7. Joy, to lighten up people’s lives, even if it’s hard.
8. The world needs to see God’s love for us all.
9. Bravery. So people can fight for their freedom, and their rights.
10. Faith in each other, and in ourselves.
11. Education to help us make better decisions when we get older.
12. Teachers who love and care for the kids they teach.
13. People to come together to help those that don’t have what we do.
14. Gentleness, goodness and kindness and not violence.
15. Creativity, for inventions to help the world prosper for generations to come.
16. Family and friends that stick by you and love you no matter what.
17. Compassion for others, even when you don’t feel you want to give it.
I can agree with all of what my kids shared.
Here’s to hoping the next generation will rise to meet these ever-present needs in our world.
Thrilled to link up with FTSF!
Aw, both your kids have given me hope that the next generation will indeed be giving and caring to all around them and in need. Just love how you have raised your kids so far and I am also trying my best with my girls, too 😉
Aw! Thanks so much Janine!! We both have great kids, and what an incredible blessing that is! <3
I love their answers! And they are right ON POINT!
It was sweet to hear them talk about these needs… We actually watch the world news together fairly often. They have been watching it with me since they were pretty little. I still hold to this being important, despite many people who think it exposes kids to too much. Of course I supervise, and stop and FF through some stuff that is just too much for their little hearts. But I want them to know the big world they live in, and truly open their perspective to it all. It has been an amazing educational piece to my parenting.
FRIST??? Ah, Chris, your kids. Beautiful minds and it’s hard to believe that they are kids! Their lists are perfection. Thank you.
*Almost* FRIST!! 😉 SO sorry babe! I wasn’t around to moderate comments… and I’m betting you could guess who was first?!! The lovely amazing sweet Janine!! God bless that woman! Anyway- thank you so much for your sweetness about the kids lists! They are wise… 🙂
I absolutely love your kids’ ideas on what the world needs more of and couldn’t agree more. This is fantastic.
Thanks so much for coming by to read this, Shelley! The world really does need more of these things on their lists. I’m so glad you agree and thank you so much for the compliment!
You have amazing children. Their lists are stunning. I’m speechless.
Oh gosh, thank you so much Julie. They have quite the perspective. I’m proud of the insights they have about the needs of this world. <3
Oh, Chris, what hearts they have for others. I love that both their lists included Joy, which is a sibling to contentment and the marrow of happiness.
Squeezes to you, friend,
Dani
They really do have such big hearts, Dani!! I’m blessed with that precious innate gift in both their hearts… <3 Thank you, my dear beautiful friend. I love how you described Joy. Breathtaking.
Wise and beautiful thoughts from wise and beautiful children. I wonder where they get it…? 😉
Awesome.
Aw! Thanks love!! They get it from their father… lol 😉
well their answers certainly give me hope for future generations! I would say the both resoundly nailed that!
Here’s to hoping, Leslie!! Thanks so much, my friend!
Wow. Your kids are wise and have a great view on life. To have those sorts of insights at their age? You are definitely raising some gems! I can see why you’d want to share their perspectives; they’ve got some wonderful words to express…
Thanks so much for the wonderful encouragement, Anna!! I am really proud of them!!
27 brilliantly kind, compassionate and thoughtful suggestions. You’re doing one hell of a great job, Momma.
Oh thank you SO much for that amazing compliment, Kelly!!
Christine, you have amazing children. I wouldn’t dare ask my children, for fear they would say things like, more holidays, candy and video games!
LOL!!! Oh Allie, I’m sure your kids’ answers would be more than that!! You are so sweet to compliment mine! I’m betting mine would surely chime in if they knew they were able to pick those things!! 🙂
WOW! Wanting a perfect world for sure! I so do pray my grandchildren and great grandchildren want these things and stand tall for them! God bless Cade and Cass!!!
Oh do I pray those same things, mom! Putting all these words to action, is what will make a difference. They are already doing some of these… I do hope as they grow older, they take bold steps to help meet the many incredible needs of this world!
Hi Chris! This isn’t the first time you’ve polled your children. I remember them doing something like this in another post you did. Your children are so verbal! I think mine would have been monosyllabic at that age!
I think we often overlook the perspective of a child. They notice and think about things a lot more than we give them credit for. Yours certainly know what they’re talking about, it’s hard to have anything negative to say about the points made here.
You are a good mom Chris. You are encouraging thought, and they are responding with kindness, and LOTS of ideas. Wonderful 🙂
Blessings,
Ceil
OH thank you so much for your encouragement Ceil! That really means the world to me! I like to do these kinds of posts, asking them their perspective… you are correct! I have a few on this blog with their answers to what I believe to be important questions… And you know what? We talk about this stuff all the time, so they were ready to share things I basically already knew. It’s just so important to have ongoing discussions about serious issues our world is facing. My kids are well aware of all that is going on, because we talk about it all often. 🙂
Can we just make them both co-Presidents of the US one day? Or of the world?
What dear hearts.
Aw!! Well, lets first make sure they can be responsible with their chores, mkay? LOL You’re so sweet. <3
–Brilliant Kids, Chris!!!
Yes. The world needs so much more…
and it starts w/ us!
Luv U. xx
They are pretty smart, a pain in my rear end at times- but smart. 😉 You nailed it, Kim!! It does start with us! I hope my kids can someday put those ideas to ACTION. They are definitely doing some of them now, so I’m hoping and praying they continue as they get older, to see the needs and FILL THEM.
I love how both of your kids said we need more joy. We do! This gives me hope that the world can heal…how much easier would that be if all kids felt the way yours do? Thanks for sharing their wisdom, Chris. You have some awesome kiddos.
They are pretty awesome, in their insight and awareness. Thanks Dana!! I think the key would be that when they got older, they put their intentions to ACTION. Now that would make a difference in this world!
I want to congratulate you on raising such kind, sensitive children. That is an accomplishment unto itself considering the self-absorb culture they growing up in. May the Lord continue to touch their hearts.
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Mary! I do pray they continue to grow in awareness, gratitude and purpose in whatever their calling will be to help meet so many needs of this world!
Such beautiful answers! I love this exercise; what a wonderful way to get a glimpse of your kids’ hearts! Might try a modified version for my girls over the summer.
Thanks so much Gina! I do love to see what they understand of this world and their place in it. It is a good way to measure their hearts and what they are learning and how they are processing it all. 🙂
Oh I love their answers, spoken truly from their hearts. I bet they made their momma proud 😉
They often make me proud, Kerri! At least with their insight and perspective. Now lets talk about them getting to their chores and cleaning up after themselves! Not so proud. LOL