Why I'm Raising My Grandchildren to be Global Citizens (And You Should Too)

From your living room to the world, grandmothers are opening the eyes of their grandchildren and showing them the magic available to them in all the cultures around us.

Jun 30, 2025

Imagine a soul so curious it could leap oceans, a heart so vast it could cradle the world. This is the spirit of a global citizen.

A global citizen is someone who sees the Earth not as a collection of separate nations but as a single, vibrant home. They feel connected to people beyond their neighborhood, their language, and their customs.

Empathy is their compass; curiosity is their fuel. They carry open-mindedness like a well-worn passport, always ready to understand a new way of thinking. Most importantly, they feel a deep, unshakable responsibility to appreciate and respect the diversity of our world.

Look to the everyday heroes: the grandmother who shares tales of far-off villages she visited, the grandfather who teaches the rhythms of a samba he once danced in Brazil. It is these personal touches, these heartfelt moments that inspire the next generation to feel part of a greater world family.

There’s magic in the bond between grandparent and grandchild — a bridge between wisdom and wonder, memory and future.

Grandparents are the storytellers and the memory keepers. Their life experiences are rich tapestries woven with adventures across seas, bustling city markets, peaceful mountain villages, and joyous local festivals.

Grandparents can recount the time they marveled at the cherry blossoms in Kyoto, sat sipping mint tea under the stars in Marrakesh, or danced alongside locals at a harvest festival in Tuscany. These stories aren't just tales; they are vivid portraits of a world filled with wonder and kindness.

By taking their grandchildren to cultural festivals in their hometowns, visiting authentic international restaurants, or recreating traditional dishes at home, grandparents turn the world into an accessible, magical place. They model the values of curiosity, respect, and joy in differences, becoming living examples of global citizenship.

Sharing Stories of Adventure

Imagine sitting by a fire and hearing how Grandma once got lost in the colorful alleyways of a Moroccan souk but was kindly guided by a shopkeeper who insisted she join his family for tea. Or how Grandpa, backpacking through South America, learned to play a traditional pan flute from a boy he met atop Machu Picchu.

Such stories ignite the imagination and plant seeds of curiosity about distant lands and people in the curious minds of children.

Experiencing Cultures Firsthand

Find multicultural festivals and fairs — dance to the rhythms of Africa, taste the rich spices of Middle Eastern foods. For example, attending a local Chinese New Year festival could become a family tradition: watching the dragon dances, tasting dumplings, and writing wishes for the New Year.

Dining at international restaurants, whether a cozy Ethiopian café or a bustling Vietnamese pho house, can turn an ordinary weekend into an exotic adventure. Or, cook together at home: roll sushi, stuff tamales, or bake French Madeleine’s while sharing the history and meaning behind the foods.

Exploring Together When a grandchild asks, "Why do people wear kilts in Scotland?", turn it into a treasure hunt. Watch documentaries, visit museums, or even plan a themed day: read Scottish folktales, listen to bagpipe music, and bake shortbread.

Encouraging Curiosity: Let curiosity be the guide, with grandparents as co-explorers, eagerly learning and discovering alongside their young companions.

A grandparent's enthusiasm — even if they can't master the salsa steps or pronounce the Thai menu — shows that openness and joy are the keys to connection.

The Impact of Global Citizens on Society

When we raise global citizens, we weave a tapestry of connection and understanding that can ease divisions and build a more harmonious world.

Young global citizens are already forging friendships across borders, learning languages not for commerce, but for connection. They are celebrating diverse traditions and standing together for shared human dignity.

Imagine a world led by hearts trained to think beyond themselves. Imagine communities stitched together by understanding instead of torn apart by fear. Imagine a generation that doesn't ask "why are they different?" but "what can I learn from them?"

Grandparents, you hold the lanterns. With each story you tell, each meal you share, each festival you attend, you illuminate a path toward a kinder, more connected world.

Let’s link arms across generations and borders. Share your stories, your traditions, your adventures. Encourage your grandchildren to dream with the whole planet in mind.

Reminds me of this song Patsy Cline sang. Enjoy

The world is waiting. Shall we set sail?

Must-Reads

📖 Book for You: Let Them by Mel Robbins – A Life-Changing Tool Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About

There is a reason 4 million copies of this book have sold. I first came across it when I saw this video. - It hit me, as I was struggling with an issue in a relationship that had gone sideways. It has a profound lesson to share.

Just Let Them

If they want to choose something over you, LET THEM.

If they want to go weeks without talking to you, LET THEM.

If they are okay with never seeing you, LET THEM.

If they are okay with always putting themselves first, LET THEM.

If they are showing you who they are and not what you perceived them to be, LET THEM.

If they want to follow the crowd, LET THEM.

If they want to judge or misunderstand you, LET THEM.

If they act like they can live without you, LET THEM.

If they want to walk out of your life and leave, hold the door open, AND LET THEM.

Let them lose you. You were never theirs, because you were always your own.

So let them.

Let them show you who they truly are, not tell you.

Let them prove how worthy they are of your time.

Let them earn your forgiveness.

Let them call you to talk about ordinary things.

Let them take you out on a Thursday.

Let them talk about anything and everything just because it’s you they are talking to.

Let them have a safe place in you.

Let them see the heart in you that didn’t harden.

Let them love you.

- Cassie Phillips

Aging Well

The Most Underused Medical Tools: Nature’s Forgotten Remedies

In a world where high-tech medicine often steals the spotlight, some of the most powerful healing tools remain surprisingly simple — and shockingly underused.

Fasting is one such ancient remedy. It gives the body a chance to rest, repair, and regenerate. Modern research confirms that controlled fasting can boost metabolism, support cellular health, and even extend lifespan.

Sunlight, when embraced responsibly, is another free medicine. A few minutes of daily sun exposure nourishes the body with vitamin D, uplifts mood, strengthens bones, and balances the immune system.

Nothing restores the body quite like sleep. Quality rest repairs muscles, sharpens the mind, and bolsters immunity, yet many treat it as a luxury rather than a vital necessity.

A lost connection to nature can be quietly mended through walking barefoot, also known as earthing. Feeling the earth directly beneath our feet balances the body’s energy and reduces inflammation, offering quiet, profound healing.

Exercise isn’t just about aesthetics; movement is medicine. Daily movement—whether through stretching, dancing, or brisk walking—promotes heart health, enhances mood, and keeps chronic disease at bay.

Even something as humble as salt holds hidden power. Celtic salt, rich in minerals, nourishes cells and supports hydration far better than heavily processed table salt.

Magnesium is another overlooked champion. Vital for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, this mighty mineral calms the nervous system, improves sleep, and keeps muscles functioning smoothly.

Let’s not forget the simplest pleasures: laughter—a true elixir of health—and meditation, the timeless art of calming the mind, easing stress, and awakening inner resilience.

Sometimes, the greatest medicines aren't found in a pharmacy but in the gentle, consistent rhythms of life itself.