Hi there,

When my older son gave his elementary school graduation speech, he said: “Some of you will be doctors, some engineers… and the rest of you? YouTubers.” 

Everyone laughed. I did too. But it didn’t feel like a joke. It felt like a glimpse of what was coming.

I’m Lakshmi, mom of two relentlessly curious boys, one’s an actor, the other a tennis kid with a wicked serve.

They’re growing up in a world where ambition doesn’t always come with a degree or a desk job. Kids today want to create.

If your child has ever said, “I want to be a YouTuber,” and your gut reaction was mild panic, this one’s for YOU. 

So… What Do You Do When They Say “I Want to be a YouTuber”?

I’ve heard this more times than I can count, not just from my kids but also from their friends, our neighbors’ kids, and even a 9-year-old I met at a birthday party who proudly told me he had a channel with 13 subscribers. 

For most kids, the desire to become a YouTuber isn’t about clout, but because they want to feel seen. It’s their way of saying, “Look what I can do. Look what I made.”

Here’s the rule I use at home: If you want to do it, you have to own it. Don’t expect mom and dad to film, edit, upload, manage, and promote your channel while you sit back and watch the views roll in.

If you want the credit, you’ve got to like the process, too.

The Acting Bug, You Gotta Take Your Kid Seriously…

When my older son was little, he was the kind of kid who always wanted the mic. He stood up to give speeches. He lived for the spotlight.

So when he told me he wanted to act, I didn’t brush it off.
We found a way to try it once. That one audition turned into a small role in Guardians of the Galaxy vol 3.

He was 8. The acting bug bit hard. He’s still pursuing it today at 12. 

Will acting be his lifelong career? I have no idea. But I saw a spark, followed by consistent effort. And that’s enough for me to stay in his corner. 

The way I see it, if they stick with it without being pushed, that’s when I know it’s not just a phase.

What I Ask Myself When One of My Kids Comes to Me With a Big Idea

If your child says they want to be a creator, an artist, a voice actor, or a game developer, You don’t have to turn into their manager just yet. First, figure out where this is really coming from.

And then ask yourself:

Can I support this even if I don’t fully get it? Take it from there.  

What Content Creation Teaches That School Doesn’t

This might surprise you, but YouTube has taught my kids more about marketing, communication, and self-awareness than any school project ever has.

When a child starts making content, they’re not just “being creative.” They’re unknowingly building real-world skills that most adults still struggle with. Like:

These are not “backup” skills. They are real, transferable, and increasingly essential in the world our kids will grow up to work in.

That’s all for today’s issue, parents! 💗

Inside the Laid-back Parent’s Internet History this week: 

Note for My Fellow Laid-Back Parents 📧 

Our kids are building futures we can’t always imagine. That doesn’t mean they’re wrong. It just means we need to learn with them.

You don’t have to know how YouTube’s algorithm works.
You don’t have to understand why anyone would film a “day in the life” video.
But you do need to create a home where ambition is safe, even if it looks unfamiliar.

Sometimes belief is the best investment we can make. Let’s not write off a new dream just because it doesn’t come with a 401(k).

Until next time,
Lakshmi 💛