Mission 7: Kindness

Every year, I see the change in some children as we reach this week. You can feel it before they speak the worry, the heaviness, the dread of the holidays.

This year, several children have already told me they are not looking forward to Christmas. Some are having nightmares and can’t sleep. Some are quietly asking:

• “What will Christmas be like this year?”

• “Will we have food?”

• “Who will I talk to?”

That’s why I feel so passionately about the next seven days.

Some children won’t hear their name spoken kindly again until January. Some won’t have a conversation. Some won’t feel safe or steady.

The difference we can make this week is massive. Even when we’re tired.

Seven-Day Intention

Let’s all commit to seven days of deep, focused presence:

• Seven days of Warmth: Warm eyes. Warm tone. Warm presence.

• Seven days of Positivity: Choosing to lift the moment in front of us, every single time.

• Seven days of Praise: Small acknowledgements that stay with children long after Friday.

I’ve been reflecting a lot recently on what warm–strict really means, and the more I think about it, the more I see how powerful it is. It isn’t just “connect and correct.” It’s something deeper. Its an extra connect. It’s the idea that after we set a boundary, we intentionally return to the relationship. For me, it looks like this: connect, correct, connect again.

Start with humanity, make the expectation clear, and then come back to the child to explain, reassure, and reset. The sanction sits, but so does the connection. The clarity stays, but so does the care. The heart of high warmth, high expectations, firm boundaries delivered through genuine relationship. Its what builds deep trust and makes children feel truly safe.

The Final Stretch

So as we move into the final stretch:

• Offer the smile someone is hoping for.

• Ask the extra questions to a child

• Hold the boundary with warmth.

• Be the steady adult some children won’t have over Christmas.

Acts of kindness are the simplest gift we can give especially when paired with warm boundaries and consistency.

I know this might sound a little cheesy, but I genuinely believe it:

Think of the impact you can have on so many lives over the next seven days if you simply lead with the intention of kindness.

Seven days. One mission:

Connect

Correct

Connect again..