How Are The Children?

As a parent and grandparent, I am deeply concerned about the well-being of our

children. This question — “How are the children?”— is not just a personal reflection, but a call to action that has guided me for over 40 years. The African Masai people greet each other with this question, and their customary response, “All the children are well,” signals that peace and safety prevail, and that the protection of the young is a top priority. This tradition is a powerful reminder: the health and happiness of our children is the truest measure of our community’s success.

But can we honestly say “All the children are well” in our own community? When we

look at the basic needs of shelter, food, clothing, education, safety, and healthcare, too

many children are falling through the cracks. Recent interruptions in SNAP benefits,

cuts to school funding and health insurance, school shootings, unaffordable childcare

and housing, and the rising cost of living have made parenting more difficult than ever.

The annual cost of childcare in Cass County ranged from $6,864 to over $20,000 in

2021, and it’s almost certainly higher now. Parenting today is not just challenging—it’s

becoming impossible for many families.

We cannot afford to ignore these realities. Every adult in our community shares

responsibility for the well-being of our children. When you volunteer, donate, or vote,

ask yourself: “Will this help make the lives of children better?” This year every candidate — whether for school board, county commissioner, mayor, state legislator, governor, or senator — needs a clear plan to support children and families. When they knock on your door, ask them about their plans for increasing safety for our kids, raising the levels of school funding, and addressing the affordability of caring for children. When we put our kids first, we build a brighter, safer future for everyone.

The DFL track record in previous sessions produced free school lunches for all children,

passed the largest child tax credit in the country, passed paid parental leave, and made

historic investments in our public schools. Pay attention to bills proposed by

Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) and Republican representatives and senators this

legislative session.

These and other DFL-led actions put our kids first. Our children are better because of

them. There is still work to do, however.

How are the children? Let’s make “All the children are well” a reality, not just a hope.

Our choices matter. Let’s choose to act and vote with children in mind.

By Barbara Sherlock