Helping kids choose passion over peer pressure.

A passion + a prize? Yes please.

Did you know that by the time kids are 5, they’re already thinking about how others see them? Studies show they start adjusting their behavior to protect their reputation—before they can even tie their shoes!

That means a lot of what we think of as “shyness” or “not interested” could just be early signs of self-protection. Kids start tucking away their passions if they feel judged, even in small ways.

I’ve seen this in my own life. I was the kid trusted to babysit, tutor, help in classrooms—but I never saw it as a passion. I figured working with kids meant being a “real” teacher… and that didn’t feel like me.

It took raising my own children (and years of detouring through other careers) to realize that what I loved most had been there all along.

Now, I’m all about helping families keep that spark alive—by tuning into what our kids do, not just what they say.

Let’s explore how we can make that easier—one small habit at a time.

When School Feels Hard

"My 6-year-old daughter has been getting bullied at school because of how she looks—kids have said mean things that really hurt her confidence. Now, every morning, it’s a struggle to get her out the door. She says she doesn’t want to go to school at all. I’ve talked to the principal, but he says there’s nothing he can do, and we’re looking into other school options. But right now, I just want to help her feel strong enough to face each day. What can I do to support her in those tough mornings?" — Priya K.

Priya, I can only imagine how hard it must be to see your daughter dreading school, especially when you know what a bright, kind soul she is. And while it’s natural to want to take the pain away, the most powerful thing you can do right now is help her remember who she is—before the world tries to tell her otherwise.

When a child is being bullied, they start to internalize the voices around them. But here’s the mindset shift I want to offer: we can’t always silence those voices, but we can help our children hear their own voice louder.

And that starts with one small but powerful practice—reminding her of her identity every single morning. Not in a grand way, but in a way that’s felt.

🌱 Try This Tiny Habit Recipe:

✔ Anchor: After you zip up her backpack (or another natural morning moment)
✔ Tiny Behavior: Look her in the eyes and say one sentence that reflects who she truly is. (you shine no matter what; your smile is your superpower, you are so much more than what others say)
✔ Celebrate: Wrap her in a big hug, high five her, or even say, “Boom! You got this!”

Why does this work? Because when a child hears the same loving truth every day, it becomes the voice they carry with them—even when you’re not there.

Want to make it even stronger? Play BJ Fogg’s 3-minute “You Got This” song on the drive to school—it’s short, sweet, and can become your shared power anthem.

And while we can’t fix the school overnight, what can make a difference is helping her anchor into something that feels safe and predictable—especially in those fragile morning moments. You're doing more than you know - cheering you all the way!

How does this connect with passion? Passion doesn’t bloom in fear. It grows where kids feel seen, safe, and strong in who they are. When you protect that inner light—especially during tough seasons—you’re giving your child the confidence to keep exploring what lights them up inside.

Have a parenting challenge you'd love some fresh insight on? Email your question my way—I’d love to help!

🎤 Lights, Camera, Passion!

As we get ready to introduce our newest character Harmony 🐰 to your family, we want to get to know your kids too—through their passions!

We’re inviting kids ages 6–12 to join our Dear Harmony Video Challenge and share what lights them up inside—because passion matters! Whether it’s building, drawing, baking, dancing, coding, or helping others… we want to hear what makes your child feel proud and alive.

Let them tell us in their own way—through words, song, dance, a drawing, or showing us in action! Two lucky winners will receive incredible prizes to fuel their passion this summer—including tickets to Kidpreneurs' Camp SuperNova (worth $349)!

📲 How to Enter:

1. Visit the Contest Page – Head to https://vocalvideo.com/c/dear-harmony-challenge where your child will be guided by Harmony Hare to complete the sentence, "Dear Harmony, I shine brightest when I...."
2. Be Creative – Help your child express their passion on camera--they can talk, perform, hold up a drawing, a prop, or anything that shows their magic!
3. Submit Your Entry – Complete the Entry by May 5th, 2025.

Don’t miss this powerful chance to spark a real conversation with your child about who they are—and what they love.

I hope this reminded you just how powerful the little things can be—especially when you help a child feel seen, safe, and strong.

And speaking of strong starts… tomorrow April 21 is National Kindergarten Day! A huge shoutout to our very own Ms. Tammy and all the incredible kindergarten teachers out there. You’re the ones who spark curiosity, nurture early confidence, and help shape a child’s first love of learning. If you’re a kindergarten teacher, let us know in the REK Facebook Group—we’d love to celebrate you!

Next week, get ready for Harmony Hare’s big reveal! 🐰 You won’t want to miss how her adventure ties all of this together.

Until then, give your child a hug, play that song, notice their spark—and let it grow.