Whitney Houston, the iconic '80s Queen, sang, “I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside.”

I bet the readers who grew up in the 80s just sang those lyrics in their mind rather than read them.  It’s a fact - you can’t help but sing along to Whitney!  One of my favorite childhood memories was seeing her in concert in New York City. To this day I am a HUGE fan! I love this song not only because it is fun to sing along to, but the lyrics are spot on.

As a mother, I am noticing the truth in these lyrics more and more.  As I watch my children’s friends grow up and accomplish these amazing things, I now know first-hand that the children really are our future.

Recently, I had a chance to meet one-on-one with some of the brightest young minds in Kern County.  Friend of the magazine Lisa Krch from Career & Technical Education Center (CTEC) invited me to participate in her students’ day of mock interviews. Sitting at tables with other community volunteers from various companies, we met with these students to grill them with tough questions they could expect from a real job interview. These teens blew my mind. Everyone that I interviewed was well-prepared:  business casual in dress, resumes in hand, and handshakes firm and confident.

I met with teens who had started their own businesses, built their own video games, produced a film and shared an impressive video compilation. One teen had step-by-step plans on how he was going to become a Disney animator and then hopefully own his own animation studio. All of them had so much hope for their future and were ready to conquer the world. I wrote their names down in my notebook and told each of them that I can’t wait to see their dreams become reality. And, I really believe these kids have the necessary qualities to put their plans in motion.

One of the best ways to teach kids how to succeed in life is through participating in the Boy Scouts of America Organization. In this month’s “Hello Happy (Balanced) Mama:  Jenny Wang,” Callie Collins writes about how this mom’s passion for scouting helps her children and others in the community. Wang says she loves scouts because it’s a chance to learn non-traditional skills like how to fold a flag, the importance of fire safety, or build a wood car for the Pinewood Derby. To read all about this amazing woman, turn to page 12.

Unique projects like these can also help you entertain your kids this summer to keep them busy and maintain family harmony.  In the article, “11 Ways to Help Siblings Declare a Cease-Fire this Summer,” on page 14, Callie Collins says one of the best ways to ensure a peaceful summer is teaching kids empathy. Other ideas include building bonds, creating teamwork tasks, and having zero tolerance.

In this month’s Humor at Home, “Road Trip:  Traveling with Children,” on page 22, Julie Willis writes about her family’s road trip misadventures, especially when her kids were younger. After all the years of screaming and crying, she says now her children have morphed into the most fun travel companions ever.  Sometimes she does get nostalgic for the days when she packed their suitcases and they hung on her every word, but she’s also excited for the next milestone when they actually pay their own way on trips.

This month as the thermostat rises and we

fight the Bakersfield heat, take the time to seek opportunities for educational adventures. You never know what unique skills your children might learn when they are young that can spark a lifelong passion, and maybe even influence their career. After all, they are our future. Sing it Whitney!

Have a fabulous summer and don’t forget to wear your sunscreen!