Pride of Place Parenting by Jenna Morton

I believe strong communities raise strong children.

Children who are resilient.
Children who are confident.
Children who are creative.
Children who are connected to people & to place.
Children who know they belong.

Children who grow up feeling this connection carry it forward.

Into business.
Into volunteer work.
Into leadership roles.
Into stronger communities that become a beacon to those searching for a place to belong.

Being proud of where you call home — feeling that you belong — boosts creativity, confidence, & economy.

When we are proud of the place we call home, it creates a sense of belonging that ripples through everything.

It improves mental health.
It sparks creativity.
It fosters civic engagement & community volunteerism.
It spurs innovation.
It fuels economic growth.
All of which increases population attraction & retention.

Pickle Planet is focused on creating that sense of pride, belonging, & connection that strengthens our community.

A selection of Jenna Morton’s previously published thoughts on raising children with a ‘pride of place parenting’ approach:

“When we raise children who are proud of this province, who understand its history and its potential, we are creating the groundwork for a generation of leaders who can bring people and prosperity to this province, even if they choose to live elsewhere.” New Brunswick poised to reap benefits of resident, employee loyalty

“When we create spaces in which people want to live, other people want to visit. When passionate community champions extol the virtues of year-round living, rather than just a short vacation, the potential for relocation and continual economic impact increases. When small business is supported, large impacts are made.” Small Towns can Dream Big and Deliver

“I’m curious as to how the province’s natural features, its beaches and mountains and fishing and snowmobiling, came to be the focus of our marketing, rather than our entrepreneurial and inventive character. This province has a powerhouse of business success on an international scale, and for decades has encouraged people to come visit because we’re pretty.” New Brunswick: The Innovation Province

“When we stand up and celebrate each other’s achievements, when we tell our children the stories of the people who created empires and dashed stereotypes, when we remind ourselves that each day people find a way to turn their love for this place into opportunity, we inch towards a brighter future.” Community Awareness is Key to Civic Engagement

“I need to hear the stories of the people this place has shaped. I need to feel the tugs on my heartstrings, not just my pocket book. … If Moncton has any hope of attracting and retaining 3,000 new residents each year, we need to tell them that living here is about more than affordable housing and proximity to the ocean. We need them to want to be Monctonians.” Being Proud To Be In This Place

“Why not have an ongoing statistical image of what matters most to youth in Moncton, Fredericton, Bathurst, Edmunston – and be able to draw on each other’s gains in different measures? If youth in Miramichi report a higher satisfaction with feeling safe, let’s find out why and how we might replicate this in other communities. If St. Stephen kids are the happiest in the province in relation to time spent with family, let’s share their stories and learn from their examples.” Province Should Poll Youth Regularly

“What will set us apart is creating an educational environment in which all children feel empowered to explore their creativity and are confident in their own critical thinking skills. We can’t predict the future, but we know it’s changing rapidly and we don’t want to be left behind. We must invest in innovative education, proper mental health support, and early intervention programs that can create a foundation of informed, engaged youth who can envision themselves in New Brunswick, free tuition or not.” Parenting in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

“The people who choose to live here are often pushing their personal creative boundaries to create employment for themselves and for others, whether that is hands-on production of artistic goods, a back-to-the-land self-sustainable lifestyle, technological innovations, or creatively-driven services such as marketing and consulting.” Embracing New Brunswick’s Creativity

“There’s a culture of creativity. A culture of progression. People aren’t waiting for things to happen, they’re taking charge and making it a reality. There’s almost a sense of adventure, a feeling that it’s worth the risk to take a chance and dream big.” How Would You Describe Moncton’s Culture?

“In geographic areas with depleted economies [like New Brunswick] … one of the strongest indicators for revitalization and success is pride of place. Having a fiercely loyal connection to a community is what drives people to stay, to create opportunities, to become entrepreneurs, and to affect real change.” Reading Between the Lines of New Brunswick’s Education Plan

“Tell everyone who comes to your home that these are New Brunswick artists and authors and entrepreneurs. Find the New Brunswick creators who resonate with you, and share their works with everyone. Confident, creative communities engage those who already live here and those who might be convinced to call it home.” New Brunswick Literature Curriculum a Welcome Addition

“I once asked you why you choose to live here, and you shared so many beautiful stories with me. It wasn’t lists of economic growth statistics or dreams of a downtown events centre or the bilingual workforce. It was stories about neighbours who support you, nature that nurtures you, and culture that speaks to you. The rest, the waterfront revitalization and the economic opportunities, are what builds from this why.” Why Moncton

“The power of the tidal bore is much more than physical. It’s a piece of the shared identity of everyone who calls this area home. Cultivating pride among our youth – and everyone else – in the unique ‘claim to fame’ of the tidal bore is the perfect way to build on our common core value of resiliency. Resurgo. I Rise Again. This city, and everyone who lives here, has the power within to overcome any obstacle. Sometimes, those obstacles will knock us down. It will feel like they are dragging us out to sea. But we can push back and rise up. And together, we can reach heights that grab the attention of people around the world.” Celebrating Youth in Moncton