If you are a parent or guardian, you likely know that your words greatly affect your children. Encouraging them helps them become determined and capable of overcoming challenges. But if you criticize them, they may expect failure and avoid taking risks.
Words are very powerful, and Stacey Truman, a mother and employee at Kingston Primary School in Virginia, knows this well. She has been working in the school cafeteria for nine years, watching children grow into teenagers and start their lives in the real world.
As a mother and cafeteria worker, Stacey feels a maternal instinct toward the kids at lunch. She wants to inspire and help them see things differently. Inspired by what she did with her own kids, Stacey created “Talking Bananas.”
Every day, she would pack her kids’ lunches with encouraging messages. She saw how these simple words could change their mindset and make life easier. So, she started writing uplifting messages on the bananas in the school cafeteria to inspire the students during lunch.
Word quickly spread about Stacey’s kindness. The school administration and parents noticed what she was doing. One day, the principal visited the lunchroom, found a banana with the message “Be your best self” written on it, and shared a picture of it on Twitter along with the story. The post went viral, with moms across the country praising Stacey for her thoughtful gesture.
The students loved their “talking bananas.” They eagerly looked forward to lunch to see the messages. Stacey continues to write these positive messages, hoping to inspire the kids to achieve great things and stay positive.
The words children hear as they grow up greatly influence their future. They need someone to tell them the world can be a better place if they try to make it so. They need to learn the value of determination, even when facing big challenges. It’s important for kids to learn how to set priorities and know there are kind people out there.
As parents and caregivers, it’s important to protect children from negativity and criticism. Instead, let’s encourage and empower them to be their best selves.