Embracing the Whole Self—Why Kids Need to Hear “You Are Enough”

Hey there, friends! Have you ever watched a kid light up when they realize they don’t have to fit into someone else’s box? It’s pure magic. I recently came across a manuscript —Just Because I Am: A Celebration of Self by Jannamie Dawn, set to hit shelves in 2025—and it’s got me thinking about how we talk to kids about who they are. Spoiler alert: it’s all about telling them they’re enough, just as they are. Let’s dive into why this message matters and how it can shape the next generation.

Picture this: a little girl stands tall (well, as tall as she can) and declares, “Just because I am biracial, doesn’t mean I’m divided; I am a beautiful blend, where both my worlds collide.” That’s the opening vibe of this book, and it’s a total mic drop. In a world that loves to label and categorize, kids are often handed a script before they even know who they are. You’re this. You’re that. You should be quiet because you’re small, or gentle because you’re a girl. But what if we flipped the narrative and said, “Hey, you’re you—and that’s the coolest thing ever”?

This manuscript, written as a poem, feels like a love letter to kids everywhere. Each stanza tackles a piece of identity—race, size, gender, emotions, interests—and flips the “just because” on its head. “Just because I am small, doesn’t mean I’m weak,” the narrator says. “I grow stronger every day, ready to take the leap.” It’s not preachy; it’s personal. You can almost hear a kid’s voice behind it, figuring out life one brave step at a time.

So why does this matter? Because kids are sponges. They soak up everything—every compliment, every criticism, every offhand remark. Studies show that self-esteem starts forming as early as age five, and it’s shaped by what kids hear from the world around them. If they’re constantly told they need to be more—taller, quieter, smarter, whatever—they start believing they’re not enough. But a message like this? It’s a game-changer. It says, “You don’t have to choose between your halves, hide your feelings, or shrink yourself to fit. You’re whole, right now.”

Take the line about emotions: “Just because I am happy, doesn’t mean I never cry; I can laugh and sometimes frown, and feel all the feelings inside.” How often do we tell kids—especially little girls—to smile through everything? This book gives them permission to be human. Happy? Great. Mad? That’s okay too. It’s like handing them a little emotional toolbox and saying, “Use what you need. It’s all yours.”

And it’s not just about the big stuff like race or gender. The narrator loves dancing and books. She’s adventurous and asks for help when she needs it. It’s a reminder that kids don’t have to pick a lane. They can be a whirlwind of contradictions—spinning through life one minute, curled up with a story the next—and still be perfectly themselves. In a culture obsessed with “finding your thing,” that’s a radical idea.

Here’s the kicker: this isn’t just feel-good fluff. It’s backed by real psychology. Experts like Dr. Carol Dweck, who studies growth mindset, talk about how praising kids for who they are—not just what they do—builds resilience. When a kid hears, “I love how curious you are,” instead of just “Good job on that test,” they start to see their worth as deeper than their achievements. This book nails that. It’s less “Look what I did!” and more “Look who I am!”

So how do we bring this into real life? Start small. Next time you’re with a kid—your own, a niece, a neighbor—catch them being themselves and call it out. “I love how you mix those wild colors in your drawing” or “You’re so brave for trying that climb, even if it scared you.” Let them hear that their quirks, their struggles, their everything—it’s all part of the masterpiece they’re becoming.

Just Because I Am ends with a line that’s stuck with me: “I am me; I am you; we’re all amazing and uniquely beautiful too!” It’s a call to celebrate not just our own kids, but all kids. Because when we lift them up to be themselves, we’re building a world where everyone gets to shine. And honestly? That’s a world I want to live in. How about you?