Parents play many significant roles in their children’s lives. They are leaders, mentors, guides, protectors, and providers. They are their children’s first and most important teachers. Parents provide love, support, and direction to help their children along the paths of success. Being a parent is a full-time commitment and when someone takes on such a crucial responsibility, they should do their best to talk to their children and show them how to be upstanding and respectful members of society. Parents have the power to lead by example and to teach their children valuable lessons about acceptance, empathy, and equality.

Children are born innocent and without fault, yet they absorb things quickly. Good or bad, they pick up phrases, habits, and even mindsets similar to their parents. Even though we may not always realize it, children are always listening and watching everyone around them. That is why it is so important for them to learn positive lessons right from the beginning so they can emulate them and further develop them over time.

Unfortunately, not all words, attitudes, and perspectives that parents pass down to their children are worthwhile. It’s very sad and disappointing when parents make comments and exhibit behaviors that exemplify prejudice and intolerance, and it’s even worse when they teach their children to do the same. As individuals, we are free to choose our words and our actions. Just as easily as someone can choose words of discrimination and hate, someone else can choose words of kindness and sensitivity. We have to be very careful and deliberate about what we say and do in order to make sure that we only pass on qualities that are built on good intentions and understanding. A strong and level-headed individual will make a conscious decision to commit to raising their children free of judgment and hostility and will make sure they are consistent in their own words and actions. Parents have the power to positively affect an innocent child and pass on messages of love and tolerance—they just have to be willing to do so.

At times during the documentary, Transformer, we saw Matt “Kroc” Kroczaleski as a very masculine world record-holding weightlifter. As he interacted with his three sons, their admiration and love for their father was crystal clear. Additionally, as Matt became more comfortable with transitioning into his true female self, Janae Marie Kroczaleski, the same three sons showed equal admiration and love for their father. They were not bothered by their father’s different physical appearances and actions whatsoever. They seemed to be one-hundred percent free of judgment. If more parents taught their children the same lessons that Matt taught his, the world would be an even better place.

Ignorance does not discriminate, and you shouldn’t either. If you make a conscious effort to put your best foot forward by educating yourself and celebrating people’s differences, you’ll find that your children will follow in your footsteps. Be a model for them by using your words and actions to pass on the qualities of empathy, kindness, and acceptance. Teach your children the importance of being open-minded and compassionate. Remember that children are always listening and watching, so do your best to lead by example and be one of the great transformers of mankind.