Legacy in the Living: What My Kids Are Learning by Watching Me Build
- Jul 7, 2025
- 4 min read
By Melissa Cruz
You don’t have to choose between being a great mom and building something meaningful—you can do both. And in doing both, you’re giving your children the greatest gift: your example.
For a long time, I felt like I was living two lives—Melissa the mom, and Melissa the business owner. But over the years, I’ve realized they’re not separate roles. They overlap, influence each other, and ultimately shape the person I’m becoming. And the truth is, I’m not building one thing or the other—I’m building both. A life. A business. A legacy. And my children are learning by watching me do it.
I got into real estate almost nine years ago as of June, with no experience or knowledge and a whole lot of faith. What I did know was that I wanted to build something of my own. I have known that since I was a child. I’d seen my family go through tough times so I knew what it was like to be dismissed or overlooked. And I was determined to create a business rooted in love, service, and integrity.
Has it been easy? Not for a second. It’s been lots of long nights, early mornings, messy calendars, failed ideas, and trying again. But in the middle of all that chaos, something beautiful has happened: my kids are watching. And they’re learning.
They see when something doesn’t go my way, and I let myself feel it—but don’t quit. They hear me talk about the highs and the lows. The wins and the “well, I learned something” days. They see the effort behind the scenes, the courage to show up when it’s hard, and the gratitude for every opportunity.
And it’s working. A few years ago I overheard them talking about buying a house. My daughter said she would buy it and my son asked if he could live with her and that he would pay the taxes and insurance. My jaw dropped. They were having conversations I never had at their age—and it’s proof that what I do and how I show up is shaping how they think.
That’s legacy. Not the house or the car or the company, but the way we influence our children by being present in the building process.
I’m intentional about what I share with them. Not just the good parts. I talk about the moments when I feel discouraged. The mistakes I’ve made. The lessons I’ve had to learn the hard way. I don’t do it to burden them—I do it to show them that failure is not final, and that strength is found in getting back up. I want them to know they never have to be perfect to be worthy or capable.
It’s easy to think we have to wait until our kids are grown to leave a legacy. But the truth is, we’re doing it now. Legacy isn’t later—it’s right now. It’s in how we speak about ourselves. How we treat others. How we choose to keep going.
That’s why I no longer buy into the idea of work-life balance. I’ve learned to create harmony—to accept the ebb and flow of life as a mompreneur. Some weeks feel aligned and easy. Others feel like everything is happening all at once. But what I’ve learned is that presence is a choice. And I get to choose where I show up and how I do it.
I’ve also realized something important along the way: I’m not just doing this for my kids. I’m doing it for me, too. Before I was a mom or a spouse or a business owner—I was just Melissa. A girl with big dreams, a lot of heart, and the drive to build something that mattered. That part of me still matters. And I want my kids to see that. I want them to know it’s okay to have goals that are yours alone. That it’s possible to love your family deeply and still pursue your purpose with fire.
If there’s one thing I hope they carry with them, it’s this: You get to be fully you. And you are allowed to take up space. I don’t want them to shrink themselves to fit into someone else’s idea of who they should be.
I want them to move through life with confidence, with courage, and with kindness. And I hope they remember that I tried to model all three—even on the hard days.
Because yes, there are hard days. On those days I question whether I’m doing enough. Especially on those days I feel pulled in every direction. But I don’t quit. I don’t quit because I know they’re watching and I would never tell them to quit on themselves.
What I would tell them—and what I hope this article tells you—is this: Keep going. Show up, even when it’s messy. Share your story. Let your children see you rise. Because in doing so, you’re not only building something for them—you’re building something with them. And that is a legacy worth living.
To every mother reading this who is building something of her own while raising a family—please know this: you are doing holy, hard, and heart-filled work. You are showing the next generation what it means to lead with love, to rise with courage, and to live with intention. Even on the days that feel small or slow, you are making an impact. Keep going. Keep building. The legacy you’re creating isn’t just in what you leave behind—it’s in everything your children see you do today. And that is more than enough.
With love, Melissa Cruz
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