As I type in the dark of my bedroom, my two little girls sleep. Maya-Azriel is 3.4. Tali-Yves is 2 months. We’ve been in Montreal, by way of Orange County (and Orange County by way of the Bay Area), CA for about four months now and have been enjoying this adventure. New language, new culture, but somehow, the same people.

My kids are a Jewish, Nigerian, Russian and Native American blend of backgrounds and traditions. They have a rich kaleidoscope of culture and ancestors who will call to them throughout their lives. The phrase “my people” won’t mean the same thing it mean to their grandparents. My children are citizen’s of the world.

Technology and travel have made it possible for people’s of the world to bump up against each other and experience one another’s lives like never before in history. We can no longer pretend as if our loyalty lies with the country from which our passports are issued. We belong to each other and our children will feel and live that.

My husband and I have decided to raise our children with the consciousness that when they look into another person’s eyes, no matter their skin color, political affiliation, or country of origin, that they belong to each other. The illusion of separation is fading, the seductiveness of drama derived from the tired argument “We’re better..!” is waning and it makes me want to dance.

Our children don’t have to travel the world to know that all people are essentially the same but they will. I remember the first time this truth planted itself in my heart. It was 5:30 PM and I’d decided to take my eldest to our neighborhood park. There were about 5 other moms there with their children and all of us happened to be different ethnicities. As I listened and watched us all interact with our children, dealing with the same issues (“If you throw sand one more time…”), all hoping that our little one’s would be exhausted enough to not reject dinner and be asleep by 7, I realized that they were all me and I was them. Our grandparents all originated from different parts of the world, but here we were, gathered together.

Our children are blessed to be world citizens and I know that they’ll rise to the challenge of pledging allegiance to one another, to be indivisible, and to be committed to liberty and justice for all.

Thanks to a fab children’s clothing line, founded by creative entrepreneur women for inspiring this post!

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