Free the Children: #FirstWorldProblems

When OWL went to We Day this past September, we received a book by Free the Children founders Craig and Marc Kielburger called My Grandma Follows Me on Twitter: And Other First World Problems We’re Lucky to Have.

But what is a First World Problem? In a world where so many children are unable to go to school or without access to clean water or healthy food, First World Problems are those little daily irks that only fortunate people get. Having to stand on the subway, your family picking Italian when you’re really craving sushi, or missing your favourite TV show because it falls on the same day as soccer practice are all First World Problems (and all ones I’ve been guilty of!). When we are able to take a step back and realize we’re complaining about something that we should be thankful for–like the fact that we can go out to eat at all—we can get better at understanding the real hardships of people in our community and around the world.

Free the Children made a hilarious video showcasing the difference between First World Problems and real problems, which you can see below:

I think we’re all guilty of First World Problems, so instead, tell us what you have to be thankful for today!

Until next time,

-Lauren, owlblog@owlkids.com