Gisele Bundchen Reveals How She Tries to ‘Lead By Example’ With Kids Benjamin and Vivian

Supermodel Gisele Bündchen wants to be the best role model she can be for her kids — Benjamin, 10, and Vivian, 7 — whom she shares with husband Tom Brady. That’s why her “main focus” as a mother is to “lead by example,” she told Marie Claire on Thursday, March 12.

“Growing up, I was teased a lot because of my height. I was taller than all the boys and girls in my class, and some of the words my classmates said to me were hurtful and embarrassing. It took me many years to realize that my peers and the words they said did not have the power to define me unless I let them,” Gisele, 39, said. “Words have the power to inspire, to hurt [and] to motivate.”

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By facing those difficulties as a child, the doting mom learned that she should always uplift people rather than tear them down. “I try to show my kids how words have so much power and to use them with care,” she explained. “If they don’t have anything loving to say, then they shouldn’t say anything; each person is special in his or her own way, and everybody has something unique to add to this world. We are all here to learn and grow.” Amen to that!

Another way the Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life author tries to lead by example is from living a healthy lifestyle. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our planet; this is our only home. As a mother, I cherish the moments we get to spend in nature and learn together by doing,” she said. “I love seeing my kids get excited when they find fresh eggs in our chicken coop or harvest the vegetables from our garden.”

Gisele added, “[I] teach my children about all the incredible things that our planet provides us.”

It’s no wonder Ben is already finding different ways he can save the planet. The fashion icon recalled a time her son “found plastic in the ocean” and decided to do something about it.

“He was so upset,” she recalled. “And I explained to him that this is what happens after we discard things; they go to landfills and sometimes end up in the ocean. For the past couple of years, he decided that he did not want presents from his friends at his birthday party. Instead, he would like if they could donate to organizations that help endangered species.”

Looks like Gisele’s kids are already learning a thing or two from her. We can’t wait to see what they do when they get older!