Parenting is an incredibly important responsibility and so we wanted to get a conversation going with input from parents in the community. We asked them: what is the most important thing you’ve done as a parent? We’ve highlighted some of the responses below.

Tavia Carlson | Mom, Engineer, Traveler, Founder of Big Brave Nomad and Solo Mom Travel

Showing them other cultures, languages, foods, and life outside of what they know as “normal.” As parents, it’s our job to foster an understanding that we are all humans. Different places in the world believe and have different lifestyles, but in the end, we are all human. I want my kids to be able to form their worldview from actual experiences around the world. Eat a crepe in Paris, find sloths in Costa Rica, see the aftermath of communism in Albania, or learn fluency in other languages by speaking with natives. The internet has given the world access to information at their fingertips, but in some ways, we’ve lost connections to other humans. I feel that travel and exploration is a basic, but direct way to renew these connections and grow appreciation for our differences and similarities with others. Travel has allowed my kids to take what they see in books and put it right at their feet. It’s amazing. Read more>>

Tom Tolbert | Pastor & Landscape Photographer

Consistency. In a world where so many things change from day to day, giving kids a consistent role model is absolutely essential to helping them maintain a good balance in life. My wife and I have tried to show our kids that showing up and being the best of who you are every day is important. It isn’t always flashy or interesting, but having that consistency keeps them grounded to the truths we teach them every day. As a Christian, my chief aim in life is to give glory to God. A lot of times people get a bad concept of Christians in their mind because they encountered someone who didn’t meet the expectations and persona the person portrayed. We try to teach our kids that everyone deserves God’s love and being consistent in that application will help them be the people they need to be. Read more>>