Helping Your Child Discover Their Purpose | Jacqueline Waller

Hey everybody, it's Richard R Ramos, and thank you for coming back to the Parent Whisperer podcast. And, uh, as you know, mom and dad out there, we are doing our best to provide the leadership, uh, program for you, strengthening you Uh, whether you've read one of my books or you've taken the online course on the website, um, whatever it is. But this podcast is more conversational, and today I have a special guest that I want to introduce you to because our work is with parents. That's, as you guys all know, that's what we're doing. We're working with mom and dad, stepparents, blended families, But this young lady is working with children, and I think that what she's doing, it fits right in with our mission and what we all are all about as far as the parent-child relationship. She happens to be in Florida, and I want to introduce to you is, uh, Jacqueline Waller and her organization You Are Loved You Are Loved. I think it's just—

yeah, You Are Loved store.

You Are Loved store. Let me read just a little bit about their, uh, program. Jacqueline Waller and Amy Adams Hamilton— today we just have Jacqueline, but her partner is Amy Adams Hamilton— the founders of You Are Loved. They began in 2020 as a movement to spread kindness and encouragement and it has grown into a mission dedicated to empowering— this is what I like— empowering the next generation. You are loved. We believe every child and teen deserves to know they are valued, capable, and uniquely created with purpose. So Jacqueline, welcome to the show, and I would like you to just introduce yourself, tell us your story, and just speak to the parents that are out there today. Okay. Yeah.

So we started— so I did grow up here in South Florida. I moved to Atlanta. I still live there. I do go back and forth between both states. And, and so grew up, my parents divorced when I was 10, and so grew up in a split household. Um, and I moved out of my house when I was 17 years old, and my mom was trying to figure out, like, she was losing her place. I was trying to figure out where I— how I'm going to graduate high school because I had dropped out and, and was just going to go get my GED. And then decided— my friend came in down from Melbourne, uh, Florida. It which is near Cocoa Beach, Florida, and picked me up. And then I hung out with her for the summer while my mom was kind of figuring out the house and, you know, what was next for her. And I was 17 at the time, and then went to summer school. And then my other friends came and picked me up, and there, and went back down, and then rented a room and, and had a job and paid rent while I was graduating high school. 6 months late, you know.

I graduated—

I was supposed to graduate in, uh, June of 1991, which is a long time ago, kind of gives me my age, uh, but I graduated in January of '92. And but with all that, uh, it, uh, without a car in South Florida, you know, taking the bus system and stuff like that, you just wait, you never know, and the bus is late, whatever. It was crazy. But with all of that, it's just, it, it be able— it was able to be able to create a resilience in me. And even during after that, just based off of choices, went through homelessness, went through a lot of different things that happen to a person, but, um, and different, just different traumas that a lot of women go through, uh, higher percentage than a lot of people think, as well as men. And so just different things like that. I had, and then buying my first condo and just even when just getting my first car, I just never thought that that would be possible. Like I didn't know how that was just like, oh my gosh, this is such a blessing. Cause I never thought that I would ever even own a car. But just through all that and going through self-development therapy and just different things throughout life, had an opportunity, um, through building out different businesses where I always wanted to have something that was for families or something that was gonna serve others.. And so wasn't until, and going through different oppor— companies and organizations and stuff like that. And just through that whole time, each process, even though those companies never became successful, I learned a lot. Like through my company Connecting Atlanta, we put on over 72 different business work networking events and brought people together, all that. So that was a learning lesson. And then it just brought me to where we are today. So each thing that we go through is that we have to overcome is going to take us to the next level and help us grow. Um, so I don't regret any of my mistakes. Well, I probably regret some, but, uh, but the challenges— I meant to say like the challenges that I go through.

We all regret some of them. But yeah, yeah, before— now that's interesting, uh, your story. I didn't know all this, uh, by the way, people out there, we're just— we've just met a couple of weeks ago, but I was just very impressed with Jacqueline, what she's doing in Florida. But before we get to your organization, I didn't know all this about you, so just a couple of things. Number one, um, maybe a word to the parents out there whose kids— maybe they, they, they— we have a lot of people that are divorced, single parents, blended families. Um, what was it about when you left, um, kept you, you know, on the road? On the— I'm like you said, you may have maybe made some mistakes, but what, what kind of encouragement can parents have when their kids kind of— things happen, but yet you continued to move forward? What, what was it about? How did that happen? What, what was it about you? What was in you? Was it something your mom instilled in you, or what would you attribute your success to? Overcoming all these, uh, these— you very— went through that very quickly. But all of those—

yeah, I didn't really know what I could expound upon, or you know what I'm saying? Or like— so I just didn't want— so feel free to ask me any questions if you want to dissect any part of what I spoke about. I'm happy, uh, to discuss that. I'll allow you to lead that.

I think a lot of parents that are listening, they have— they, they're going through the situation that you described.

Yeah. So I'll be honest, like, my friend So before my mom lost her— when I was 17, before my mom lost her house, and I was like 15 or 16, my friend and I snuck out for like a week and took my mom's car. And then the last night, like, everything went wrong. Like, I just knew it. And then I got busted and got my butt beat. My butt beat, right? And then the next night we stole her mom's car because You know, and then our sister snitched on us and ratted us out, and we took the car back. And, uh, because we were coming back and we saw cops at our house, we were like, oh my gosh. So I say that because it's like, you know, we're not angels. We're— and, and it was just so stupid of us, and it was crazy because neither one of us had a driver's license. How high risk is that? But that was back in the late '80s when time was completely different back then. Where things are so much stricter now. If we would have been caught, probably today days, they would have taken us right to juvenile hall. They wouldn't even allow our parents to handle the situation, right?

Right.

So, um, I will say this, that the, the night, the night before, whatever, that when we took my mom's car and she caught us, she did beat my behind. And, uh, and then my friend was staying with us at the time because her house was unstable, and then she had to go home, obviously, uh, and And then that next time, um, when my mom picked me up from my friends, my— all my mom said was, just let them tell them that I beat you, that I spanked you, or whatever, you know. Because I think my mom realized that it wasn't working at that point. Like, I was just so hard-headed.

She was a single—

my mom was a single mom since I was 10 years old, and at this time I had been like 15 or— 15 years old, 15 or 16, something like that.

And, and then what you went through is why you keep— why you do what you do today?

Uh, yeah, and I can't say that I was absent. Like, my— even though my dad's here with me right now, but like, my dad wasn't, uh, completely active in my life. He became like an every other weekend dad. So I think it's important for the fathers out there to be involved in their children's lives because they offer that level of authority and discipline and love that moms just can't provide to girls or boys. It's not just their sons, although the men do teach their sons how to become men. But I think that if my dad would have been more of a presence in my life at a younger age and where we went on daddy-daughter dates, he edified me a little bit more, um, that would have changed the trajectory of my decision-making as well. Right, and my fear level, right? Okay, so, but yes, the resilience, the, the fact that my mom did everything that she could, and my parents did the best that they could, right? My dad was a retired vet, he had PTSD, he had his own issues, right? We don't realize that till we get older. But anyways, but my mom, no matter what, um, no matter what, uh, she just continued to move forward and she didn't give up. My mom's a fighter.

All right, so I want you to hear— all the moms out there, all you single moms, pay attention to what she just said. Listen to what, what is she saying. Go ahead.

So yeah, I just said, I just said that she just moved forward and, you know, she didn't give up. She was resilient. So my mom really taught me that, you know, and to just continue to make sure I'm able to take care of myself move forward. Um, but I do give, uh, all glory to God, to my Savior. And, uh, I believe that he— and when I have made many stupid decisions in my life, it's because of him that has provided me the grace and the protection, uh, to maneuver myself and have it make— turn it into a learning lesson instead of a terminal life lesson. You know what I'm saying, right?

Now, uh, 2 more questions and then I want you to talk about your organization.

Okay.

Uh, number 1, um, do you have kids?

I don't. I made, uh, the decision to terminate that when I was 21, which was probably the big— not probably, it's one of the biggest regrets of my life. And so ever since then, I, uh, have not had any sense. But I have two amazing godchildren. Yeah. And my godson's 30, 30, 31. And my goddaughter is 16. She'll be 17 coming up in about 15 days.

All right.

Graduating high school. Yeah. She's, she's the love of my life.

And secondly, it sounds like I know you're leaving a lot out, but it sounds like you guys went through a lot. But how is your relationship with your mom today?

Great. Uh, I am the primary caretaker per se for both my parents actually.

Okay.

So yeah, my mom is a two-time stroke survivor. She's been, uh, she's fully disabled. Um, she has limited communication, uh, although, um, and she's been stroke-free for 8 years. So, uh, my mom— and then, so crazy enough, uh, my dad's brother and his wife, my dad's half-brother and his wife, had called me and wanted to move back down an hour and a half back south. And I was like, this is when my mom had had her first stroke. I was like, yeah, you guys are welcome, you can rent the room as long as you can help take care of my mom, blah blah blah. And then they were like, sure. And then a year later, my mom had her second stroke and became fully disabled. At that time my mom was still talking and walking and stuff like that, so that became a full-time job. And my aunt, uh, is, um, a stay-at-home wife, and not always, but she is now. And she's been the primary caretaker for my mom, you know what I mean? Like, I manage everything, I make sure that we have a safe place to live, provide a quality of life and do all that. And then, um, and then my aunt and uncle, they— my aunt does the rest for the day-to-day stuff with, with my mom. So my mom and I have a great relationship now.

Wow. Well, you're—

there's a lot. That's a lot, Richard.

And you're— the more I hear, the more you're turning into another one of my heroes. Oh, because, you know, um, we really, uh stress the parent-child relationship, and especially when there's ever been a fallout or a broken relationship or whatever. One of the main teachings that we have is on reconciliation. Yeah, because I always try to help parents understand, or families, that I think all families have problems in one— whether you want to call it a problem or situation— in one way or another. That's not The issue— that's nothing to feel bad about or ashamed about, or really, it's just normal. But the issue is, what do you do about it? What do you do when you have a broken relationship, or when things— and like in your story, you know, there was a time where you were being rebellious, I guess, and just out there. And, and so, so many of us have that story. But what makes me sad, and one of the reasons I do Parents on a Mission, one of the reasons that compelled me to do that started many years ago was because that relationship wasn't getting fixed. It was just getting swept under the rug. Nobody wants to say anything. No, there's no apology, there's no acknowledgement, there's no, you know, any kind of effort to reconcile. It's more just kind of, oh, let's just go on and it'll get better. But a lot of times it doesn't get better. And then secondly, those young kids then become parents.

Yeah.

And the cycle just continues. So you know what I'm—

yeah, yeah, yep. And, uh, I would say that my faith and probably about like 4 or 5 years of therapy, a lot of intense therapy in the beginning for me that I chose because I was having really bad insomnia, um, and then Uh, and then it, it just drew down to like when I was like, um, having some really bad anxiety or something like that, not knowing how to process stuff, that I would schedule something with my therapist who is absolutely amazing and has always been there no matter what. I just— she's just amazing. And so I would say just learning one of the biggest things, which is what drew us to wanting to also do this, and I'll share a little bit about Amy, um, who who is my sister. We're not blood related, but she's my sister, okay? Right. Um, but, uh, but it just really was creating these tools that I learned, um, through the years of therapy and how to process stuff. Because I would always remember, like, okay, like, this is a major thing that's happening to me right now, but how do I process this? How does— I would never think that I was normal. I always thought I was just so different. And I was like, well, how would the everyday normal not weird person think about this that has it all together? Like, how would they process this, you know? And so I was like, I just don't like know how to process this. Like, I just don't know what to do. And so I would either talk to God or talk to my therapist and go into the word, and, and that's what, that's what I would do. And then for some reason it would just work out. But one of the biggest things I would always remind myself is, Jacqueline, like, you've been through tough stuff before and you made it through that, and here you are today. You're about to go through something else that's major, but you know what, you're going to get through this too. And there's always another side of that.

That's right. That's right. So talk about your organization and, um, what are the services that you guys provide and maybe some of the stories of some of the different kids that you're serving?

Yeah, so we initially started during COVID and then we started as like— I started as like a motivational thing or whatever because people, uh, didn't have hope, and a lot of people were so sad and stuff.

It was a tough time.

And, uh, I just wanted people to know that there's hope out there. Um, so that's why, like, our tagline is "Power Your Journey." And then So then Amy and I— and then Amy and I created— Amy came on, uh, which is my soul sister, and she came on, and then we started developing journals and planners for women. And our 3 key areas we focus on— and this transitions into our children's books— which is relationships with your faith, family, and friends, whatever someone's faith is. The second thing is career schooling, and the third is self-care. Right? Those I feel like are the 3 key areas that we all— out of everything in life, those are the 3 things that we focus on.

Say them again.

Faith, relationships with your faith, family, and friends. So relationships is one, okay? Career or schooling is two, right? Our work, what helps develop us, income, or builds our minds. And the third thing is self-care. How are we Nourishing our bodies? How are we nourishing our minds? How are we nourishing our soul? How are we nourishing ourselves overall? Right?

So those are the 3, like, programs that you—

Those are the 3 areas that we implement. Those are the 3 things that we implement into all of our programs.

Okay. Okay. Good. Great.

And it's to help give us a bet— a more of a balance. Balance us out.

Yeah. So how— Anyways, Go ahead, go ahead.

Yeah, sorry. So planners became a nuisance because they expire. So we were like, oh my gosh. And, and like, like, I'm more of a B2B salesperson. That was my— that's my background expertise in corporate America. And then I was like, and online marketing, and I hate social media and just all that. I was just like, oh, this is— I was like, it's unnecessary.

Good to hear that somebody's not all addicted to social media.

Yeah, no, like, yeah. So, uh, um, so anyways, so then Amy had created something where she's like, oh, I'm thinking about this workbook, right? Her son is neurodivergent. He was, uh, born addicted. Uh, he's adopted, but, um, and he knows, but, uh, he He was born addicted by his, uh, biological parents. And so he's got some neurodivergent stuff and emotional, um, uh, learning how to regulate his emotions and stuff like that, right? And so she puts him through therapy, does all that stuff. But I was like, oh my gosh, Amy, this is like exactly what we need to do. And this is going to not only help him, so then we created this book called I Am One of One, and this was for 3rd to 5th graders, and it's a fun workbook for kids to explore who they are and who they want to become. And then we have two— then we created one for teens, which was— it's called Vision to a Journey, that has, um, that has a vision board, which is something that I love doing and building, is vision boards. But the journal gives them an opportunity to bring out the best in them and what they truly desire and want and what they— who they want to become. Then they put their vision board together and then they go through those 3 key areas that I just focused— that I told you about, right, throughout the rest of the 3 weeks. So it's really about self-discovery. I want these kids to have healthy boundaries and self-respect and love for themselves, uh, so that way they can, when they are, uh, tempted with bad decisions, that they have the opportunity to have that strength regardless of what's going on in the household or whatever, to say, um, no, and make better decisions for themselves, you know.

Well, I'm, I'm really— I want to write this down because, um Uh, these points that you're making, see, um, programs are important, like the program that you have that you're describing. But what we emphasize is, but they can't take the place of you, Mom and Dad, right? But we need them.

We need them.

We need them because not everybody has the mom and dad that we would love them to have, and we know that. So, yeah, but parents can if they listen to what you're saying, all of you that are listening, uh, what Jacqueline described as the 3 key areas of relationship, that's something that we as parents can also focus on in, in all the life lessons and the things that we deal with our kids. Secondly, of course, education, and ultimately helping them to find their purpose in life. We can do that at home. Jacqueline is doing that in her program. And then self-care. So talk a little bit more about that, uh, Jacqueline. What, what, what kinds of things do you talk about or teach or whatever as far as helping kids understand the importance of taking care of themselves?

So that's great. And one of the things is having time alone. Okay.

Yeah.

Not just scrolling on social media. Put the phone down. Maybe listening to a podcast or something like that. That's a positive, uplifting podcast. Something that— reading a book. Okay. Getting off social media. Stop looking at what other people and stop caring, you know, what other people think about you, how many likes you got, stuff like that. It's really just having an opportunity to just get some peaceful time in prayer, um, in meditation. So, uh, those are some of the things, um, that we want to be able to get away from, uh, people that are negative. And, and, and reading, and reading something positive, reading something that's going to be uplifting to our spirit, uh, maybe speaking to a friend on a phone that is a friend that is an edifier. Right?

Yeah.

Um, and you know, if you're just feeling drained and stuff like that, that— and then get on a phone call with someone where you guys can build each other up and edify each other, right? Encourage each other, provide that strength and that kindness that a lot of us don't get throughout there in the world, you know?

Right.

And, uh, but yeah, those are some of the things. Go for a swim. Go work out, go for a run. These are all things that is gonna help bring us back to our center. But I, but one of the biggest things, uh, is, is reading something positive. Don't, not a, a thriller novel, not stuff like that because that's all planting these seeds in your brain. And, uh, like I used to listen to true crime podcasts all the time, but then I started, or, and watch Criminal Minds on TV. Then I started having nightmares and it was like, about evil stuff. And I was like, oh, I can't listen to this anymore. I can't. This is affecting me and affecting my spirit. So I, I try— I do listen to audiobooks and stuff like that, but it's all self-development, something I'm learning, something that is building me up, something that's giving me new ideas, helping me be more creative. And that's, that's my self-care. It's allowing me to deregulate and bring myself back to my center.

Yeah, something inspiring. And I think that inspirational writings are out there for kids.

Journaling.

Journaling. Journaling. And that's a great one. Yeah. Willing to, you know, look for these things online or whatever. I mean, they're out there. And so it's nice to reinforce, you know, one of the things that I kind of harp on is that public education is undermining the authority of parents. It's undermining the place of parents. It's not being supportive of the parent. It's more about, you know, keeping secrets from the parents. I don't want to go off on that one, but, um, what should be happening in my view is the school and/or the church or these public institutions should be supporting what mom and dad are doing, the values that you have at home. And so we're— my role is to help parents understand the importance of you teaching what are your values, what is the legacy of our family, who are we as a family, and building that loyalty and winning the heart and mind of your children. And knowing that when you send them to school or the daycare center or to a program like yours, those things are being reinforced. Exactly what you're, what you're talking about, especially in these three areas of relationship, education, career, and self-care. So that's what we try to do. And when you have that combination, uh, imagine the kind of children that we're going to have in the next generation. But unfortunately, and again, this is where I'm You know, saying, but, but Mom and Dad, you cannot depend on the community to build your family. It's your family that's building the community.

And don't forget, I love that. Can I— I'm going to suggest something if that's okay. Um, uh, this just came to me. So I just wanted to share this really quick. And so when it comes to like when I was thinking about like the journal, the Journey to a Vision, the parents can do the vision board with their children and do their own vision board. And then like if the parents— and they can use AI to help with this and stuff like that, but just maybe, maybe that's something we should create for the families, or you can create it, Richard R Ramos, but, but do like an inventory checklist, right? And do an inventory checklist, kind of figure out what everyone loves. And then through that, you know, maybe with the help of AI or whatever, just create your, your family mission statement and then put that mission statement up on your wall. What is something positive that this is our mission for our family? How are we going to affect future generations? How are we going to— how are we going to positively affect the community? How are we going to positively affect, um, like, as the parents, our grandchildren, your children as children, you know, and your children? How are we going to do that? And, and with that, and the mission statement, and then go through and build out your vision board and have it placed up in the house and build it around that. So now, as you're going through, like, major things in life, and you're feeling off-centered and stuff like that, you come home and then you're like, okay. And then, and then you're like, oh, this is our mission statement. Okay, I've got to stay focused on, on this, right? This is what we're, we're, we're moving towards. And then at the end of the year, do, um, a goal set list at the end to say these are all the things that we said we wanted to accomplish at the beginning of the year, mid-year, whatever. And these are the things we were able to do and we were able to check off on our vision board.

Okay, perfect segue. Give me— gonna grab something here. I'm gonna grab my vision board. Now let me say this, in all of you that are listening, you know, and if you haven't, uh, read my book or done my online course, what do we talk— what do we teach families? We teach families to write a, a family mission statement. Exactly.

Oh, I didn't, I didn't know that.

You said And that's, that's an option. And one of the reasons we do that is that is one of the tools that we say if we want to win— and you have to win, not demand— the loyalty of your children. Because our message is, Mom and Dad, you are in a battle every day for the mind and the heart and the loyalty of your children. Loyalty is a gift, and they're going to choose to give it to somebody. Don't assume or take for granted they're going to give it to you. So what are we doing? Mission statement is one of those lessons. Building a legacy statement is another one. But I also have a Youth on a Mission program.

Okay.

And in that Youth on a Mission program, we teach them to build vision boards. So here's my— here's— I built this in a different program that I was on.

Oh, I love that.

See, it's all about parents on the different things. Um, for me, this is my, you know, uh, national podcast, which I have.

Yes.

No magazine I didn't have when I built this.

Okay.

Built this in October of 2024. Uh, POM, the number one parent seminar in the United States. So anyway, I'm— it's not about me. I'm just saying to parents that are out there listening to you, I'm gonna start instituting that into my Parents on a Mission program because right now I only do it in the Youth on a Mission. But you gave me a great idea. I'm already doing legacy, I'm already doing mission statement, and now I'm gonna do the vision board. Thank you for that.

You're welcome. And do like an inventory checklist. And, uh, that you could do in the beginning to help them when they're figuring out what their mission statement and stuff like that is, you know. And then through that, you can build that out and then help with ChatGPT or whatever to help you create.

But I love the idea. That's the reason I showed this. I love the— because, because a lot of parents are listening to this, they'll be saying, what's a mission? What's a, what's a vision board? What is that and how do you do that? You know, so, uh, I want you to talk about how, how you teach kids to do it. What are they— how do they build them? What do they do? Talk about what, what you guys do to help kids build a vision board.

Sure. So in our book, it says the purpose— Rise with Purpose. Okay, so hold on. Let's see here. What is a vision board? A vision board is a creative way to turn your dreams, goals, and values into something you can actually see every day. It's a visual story of where you've been, what matters to you now, and who you're becoming. It helps your mind focus on what's possible. When you can see your goals, your brain begins to look for ways to make them real. They remind you that even small steps matter. Every decision you make can move you closer to the life you imagine. This week you'll build a vision board, blah, blah, blah. But that's, that's part of that. Okay. And so, uh, even in the Bible it says, write your visions on the tablet, right? He doesn't say just talk about it. He doesn't say type it in a phone. He says put it on a tablet, but paper. And a vision board, um, is our modern-day tablets, okay? And so some of the stuff that, uh, we ask is— and we have everybody write a story to themselves, okay? Dear me, like your identity, who you are. And then you can write one at the very end as well, but, uh You know, and it's a— what, what is yours? What do you want your story to look like when you leave your legacy? What do you want that dash to look like on your tombstone? You know, what is it that your legacy— what is it that you hope that you never thought you could do, but you hope that you could accomplish this coming year, even if it's as small as getting a new car, maybe getting a $2 raise, maybe just being able to get up out of a chair. You know, what is your, your vision statement? Or to see your children graduate? You know, that, that was one of the biggest things. Like when I was earlier, it's like I said, I just want to be able to graduate high school. Like I just wanted to accomplish these small things at a time because I always felt like I was on my own and I just was like, I'm either going to survive or I'm going to die. That was really how I felt when I was younger. And, uh, You know, and so this—

what are the materials you— do you use, or do you use materials like what I showed you?

Yeah, yeah.

What are the materials parents need to help their kids?

Poster board. So we recommend 11 by 14, but you can use whatever size you want. I actually, uh, we use usually poster boards, but I really like what you showed me there. But a poster board, you'll need some scissors. Uh, magazines, newspapers, printed images. So if you have like any doctor's offices or whatever, just ask them if they have any extra magazines, right, that they're about to throw away. Uh, you can always get those. You can get that stuff for free. A glue stick. Um, you can use double-sided tape or tape or whatever, but I like glue sticks better. Markers, colored pencils, pens. Uh, you can look up inspirational quotes or affirmations like that's stuff that either that you think about, or if you have your own quote, a folder, um, uh, stickers or decorative items, and access to a printer to— for digital images, you know. So that's really it. It's really not much. A poster board, scissors, magazines, and a glue stick, and some markers. It's really— those are the easiest things.

And then the easiest thing, very simple.

Yep.

Um, okay, Mom and Dad, I want to give you a vision here of what Jacqueline and I are talking about. Imagine yourself, and this could be with your kids' friends too. Now, when I put together this mission, this vision board that I showed you, I was in the room with 200 entrepreneurs at a conference, and that's where I got this. They gave this to us.

I love that.

It's, it's great. So, but Mom, you don't have to buy— you don't have to go to the dollar store. For a dollar, you can get a, uh, what is it called, the poster board.

Yeah.

And the markers, crayons, magazines, any magazines, scissors, cut them. And what you're doing is you're sitting there with your son or your daughter, and maybe they're friends, maybe there's 4 of you, maybe it's just you and your daughter. And you just answering those questions like, what, you know, what do I want? As Jacqueline went through, and then you're flipping through magazines looking for a picture of the car you want, the vacation you want to go to, the home you want, the diploma that you— whatever visual, cut it out and you just put it on the board. And then as she mentioned, you could find quotes, you could cut it out of a magazine, out of an old book, or write it. A quote that inspires you, and that's what you're doing with your son or daughter. You're helping, you're, you're just spending— I don't know how long, you could be there for an hour. You spend time with them putting this together, and it doesn't have— it's not in stone.

No, you could make— and you can do it over the course of a week or days. It doesn't— there's no right or wrong answer. You can take stuff down, put stuff back up. That's okay.

And then put it on the— in their room, put it on their door, put it where they'll see it every day. And that's what the idea is. They're envisioning, they're seeing it, and their subconscious mind is taking in, that's what I want, that's where I'm going, that's what I'm doing, that's who I am, that's a picture of who I am, who I want to be, etc. Man, um, if you do that You're gonna see, uh, it's much better than being on a tablet or, or Facebook.

Exactly.

Um, that's great. Go ahead. Go ahead.

No, I don't, I don't know. I was gonna say that, that this, the last thing was, is a lot of people were like, oh, do you, are you gonna build an app out? You gonna do this? I don't know. I don't think so because my biggest thing is like, I, um, my goal is to get kids off of the tablet and get them on to just interacting. And, um, oh, the inspirational story. And then I know we got to wrap it up soon. So inspirational story. So we did a couple things. One is, um, there's a nonprofit here. Can I mention the nonprofits that I work with?

Sure, of course.

Community-Based Connections. They're absolutely amazing. They do a lot of stuff in the community here in Broward County, Florida. They just moved to Palm Beach. But they used— we did the, the Journey to a Vision with them, with the kids, and they— you could see their faces light up when they were doing the vision boards and just like what they wanted to do after they were graduating high school. And, and so it was really great to see. We did— we have a 21-day transformational journal that is for women. And so that follows the same 3 key areas. Okay, nice. Um, and that one, uh, the women really liked because, uh, they were in poor communities. It was all races actually, and it was in poor communities. And they, uh, one of the things, the ones that some were just so afraid to open up, they didn't really want to say anything, they didn't even do it, you know. But then there were some that, that did, that was able to get something out of it.

And they—

the compliment that we received was they just really appreciated their opportunity for their minds to be opened up and giving hope. Wow. You know, for something greater.

Um, that's great.

Now, when I did our, uh, first program with the Boys and Girls Club here in South Florida, um Okay, so there was this young man, uh, name— his name is Jermaine, and he's very sweet kid, right? And he was very shut down in the beginning of the process and stuff like that. And then he got excited seeing— I was going twice a week, and he would get excited seeing me come in. He came out of his shell. They get stickers, they they all have to engage, they all have to read out of the book. The kids would get excited, they wanted to read, uh, the ones that could read well, they wanted to help pick up the books. Even if they didn't want to participate in the rest of the program, they were like, oh, I'll pick up the books, oh, can I get a sticker, you know.

Yeah.

And, um, and so by the, by the end of the program, this young man Jermaine was fully out of his shell. And then when he found out it was my last day, he just would not stop crying. And I was like, Jermaine, you can't do that to me, I'm gonna kill— I'm like Um, and then, uh, there's this, uh, another young man, uh, Legend, who is, uh, who made a big impression on me. He's a natural leader. He's Mr. Popular in school. These kids, the, these young adults or young people are in, um, the 3rd grade, so they're between 8 and 9. Yeah. And so Legend is probably Mr. Popular in school. He liked to hang out with the cheerleader, you know. And, uh, I just remember one day he comes in and I was like, Legend, was that your dad out there? Like, you know, and he's like, yeah. And I was like, what happened? He's like, I, I got in trouble in school today, so my dad came to have a conversation. And, uh, and so he still got to come in, he didn't have to leave and go. And, and I was like, well, I said— and other kids snitch on each other, right? Oh, this is what they really did, you know, it's So funny. And, and he was like, uh, and he said— and I said, well, you know what, it is what it is. You did it. I said, you can— I said, the consequences are going to be what they're going to be. I said, you can either learn from this or you can continue to make the same mistakes, right? But he was just so cool about it, you know what I'm saying? He's just like this, and he liked to participate, and he just liked to be up in front of the class, and it was just And so one of the things I wish I would have been able to do for all of them, but I— and then for some of them, especially some of the harder ones and stuff, I wrote little notes in their books and stuff like that for them, trying to inspire them for the future. And, and then this other young man, and this was a thing that I wish I would have, but it's okay. It's a learning lesson, right? It was the first time we did this, right? And I'm thankful that we— the Boys and Girls Club allowed us to be able to do it. And that was another intervention that God did by giving me that. Oh, there's another young man, he's like, he just wouldn't really participate. He's like, this is so boring, right? And I was like, so I walk over to him and I cannot remember his name, but I walk over to him and I was like, um, I said, do you have a hard time reading? And I said to him low, like not loud, I didn't want to embarrass him. He was like, yes. I I said, okay. I was like, can you read this line right here? And he was like, yeah. And I was like, okay. And then so I then, you know, so I stood next to him as he was reading it and then I'd repeat out a word if he didn't know it and give it to him so that way he could do it and he could participate and become engaged. But then, you know, when we do it again in September with the Boys and Girls Club at another club, I want to pair the strong. I'm going to figure out who the stronger readers are. With the not so strong readers and pair them together so they can help encourage and then help them become better leaders and stuff like that. So, wow. Yeah, so those were my stories for that.

Well, listen, Jacqueline, uh, first of all, I appreciate your time today, and I love what you're doing, and, um, you guys are making an impact. And just those stories you told of those kids, this is what it's all about. So for those of you that are listening, I would really appreciate if you help me reach more people, if you help me reach more families. This video, to share this video, imagine the inspiration you're going to give some parents out there, the ideas that Jacqueline shared that her organization has done with young people So if you would do that favor for me, share the video, like the video, leave a review— that's always, you know, the way YouTube likes to grow their YouTube channels. Um, if you would do that for me and, and, um, just help me to reach more families. So 3 things— 4 things that I want you to take away. Number 1 is helping your children with their relationship, starting with you, Mom, starting with you, Dad, stepdad, stepmom. Number 2 is helping them discover their purpose through education and start to find what they love to do. And once they find it, then our job, Mom and Dad, is to help develop it, whatever that love that they will discover about themselves. And third Is the self-care so important that we teach our children how to take care of themselves, not relying on other people or Facebook and TikTok and all of those things? And number 4, vision boards. I hope that you will take that away and you will do that with your kids. But you've been listening to the Parent Whisperer podcast. I'm Richard R Ramos. I thank you for your time. I appreciate all of you. And remember, Mom and Dad, Parents on a Mission is not for bad parents. It's for good parents who want to get better. Thanks for listening.