The house was finally quiet. The whirlwind of homework, dinner, and one last game of hide and seek had eased into bedtime stories and soft breathing from down the hallway. As I tidied up Lily’s little study nook, her paint-splattered workbook stacked on top of half-finished spelling lists, I found something unexpected.
Tucked between the pages of her “Our Wonderful World” book was a loose sheet of writing. Not a school assignment. Just something she’d written quietly, on her own. In her familiar, slightly wobbly handwriting, it read:
The Earth is Sick? My Heart Feels It Too
Earth Day was fun! We planted a seed. But then I heard Mommy and Daddy say the Earth was "sick." Sick like my cough?
They said big words. They sounded worried, like when Lucky doesn’t eat. Our teacher showed sad polar bears and black trees. She said we have to help Earth. My tummy felt funny. Will Earth get a shot? Will it be okay?
I like the green grass, tall trees, sparkly sea, and yummy flowers. If Earth is sick, will they die? Will polar bears lose their house? Will the sea be yucky?
I don’t know big words. But I don’t want Earth sick! I want happy flowers, warm polar bears, and sparkly sea for my castles…otherwise where will we all live?
Her words stopped me in my tracks. In those short, sincere sentences was a depth of feeling I hadn’t realised she was carrying. We talk about Earth Day, we recycle, we plant things in the garden and chat about the weather. But I hadn’t thought about how much she was absorbing. About how the conversations we have—and the ones we don’t, can ripple through their gentle little hearts.
Lily’s writing reminded me of something important: our kids are watching. They’re listening. And they’re feeling. Even if they don’t fully understand climate change or pollution, they feel the worry in our tone, the concern in our faces, the gravity in our conversations.
At Charleeboo, we believe in protecting that sense of wonder our little ones carry. But we also know that children, even the youngest among us, can care deeply about the world. They want to help. They want to do something. And we’re here to show them they can.
That’s why we’re committed to making shoes that are gentler on the planet. From using recycled materials in our packaging to creating durable styles with smart fastening systems that make life a little easier for little feet, and parents too, we’re always looking for ways to do better.
Because we believe small steps add up. That learning to tie your laces is just as important as learning to take care of the world beneath them.
So tonight, when I tuck Lily in, I’ll let her know that while the Earth might face big challenges, it’s also full of people doing good. People who plant seeds and sort their recycling and choose brands that care. People like you. And brands like us.
Let’s keep making choices, big and small, that help our children feel hopeful. Their hearts, full of curiosity and care, deserve a world that listens back.
Happy feet, happy Earth. Always.
