Thursday Thoughts (A Day Late): Kindness as a First Response

Last year, my three-year-old taught me something powerful, that kindness doesn’t have to be loud or grand to be world-changing. Sometimes, it’s a crayon-coloured picture. Sometimes, it’s the smallest gesture that shifts the entire mood.

We were flying to Singapore, and my five-year-old daughter was anxious. As we sat at the airport, I reassured her that planes are safe. I pulled out every line I could think of, even threw in that Qantas is statistically the safest airline in the world. It helped a little.

Unbeknownst to me, our three-year-old was quietly listening. She looked up mid-chat and decided, with full toddler authority, that she would draw a picture for the driver. (Yes, the pilot — but try convincing a three-year-old mid-mission.)

She spent the next while focused on her artwork, determined to give it to the driver as a thank-you. We boarded, settled into our seats, and got ready for the flight.

Then came the moment. A flight attendant walked over: “Is Chloe Andrews sitting here?”

Chloe didn’t hesitate: “Yes, that’s me!” “Well Chloe,” the attendant said, “the captain loved your picture and he wants you to wear his special captain’s hat.”

For the next seven hours, Chloe wore that hat with so much pride. She declared it the “driver’s hat” and took her role very seriously. She even started designing 30 more pictures, just in case the driver needed more.

But the real magic wasn’t just what happened for Chloe. It was what it did for our five-year-old. The nervousness melted away. Not because her sister was in the spotlight, but because of how the Qantas team the flight attendants, the pilots made her feel. Safe. Held. Seen. That kindness was infectious. It transformed the atmosphere.

After the flight, the crew invited us into the cockpit. Both pilots were incredibly generous with their time, and Chloe finally got to thank “the driver” properly. We even walked away with a real Qantas hat — which I now proudly wear. A double win.

But the real takeaway wasn’t the hat.

It was this: Kindness changes things. It doesn’t ask for anything. It’s contagious. And when it’s received — when it’s allowed in — it multiplies.

My three-year-old gave a picture because she wanted to help her sister feel better. She ended up helping all of us. And she had the time of her life doing it.

This is not a sponsored post (although shout out to Qantas — your staff were incredible). It’s a kindness post. And an appreciation one too.

Let’s not wait for the world to change before we’re kind. Let kindness be our first move.