I’m not raising my child to be the smartest in the class.
Not the fastest on the field.
Not the loudest voice in the room.
And not the one with a shelf full of medals.
I’m raising them to notice the lonely kid at lunch… and sit beside them.
To speak up when someone’s being hurt — even when it’s not easy.
To do the right thing, especially when no one is watching.
It’s okay if they’re quiet.
It’s okay if they’re shy.
It’s okay if they don’t always get straight A’s.
But being unkind? That’s never okay.
I don’t care how many trophies they win,
If they can’t treat people with respect, it means nothing.
We need to stop measuring kids by test scores or applause.
Let’s measure them by how gently they treat others.
How bravely they stand up for what’s right.
How deeply they care — even when it’s inconvenient.
Because someday, the world won’t remember their grades.
But it will feel the impact of their kindness.
And as a parent, that’s what I’ll be proud of most.
