Parenting in 2025 presents unique challenges, with social media, peer pressure, and external influences like gang culture and street crime steering young people in many different directions. Richard Ramos, the founder of Parents on a Mission (POM), is committed to helping parents become the steady, moral compass their children need to navigate distractions and dangers, guiding them toward becoming responsible, resilient adults.
“It’s natural for kids to seek guidance, validation, and a sense of belonging,” says Richard. “The problem is that if they don’t find this at home, they’ll look elsewhere. When that guidance comes from a screen, a gang, or the streets, society’s challenges grow, and things can go terribly wrong.”
Richard’s POM program challenges the misconception that parenting classes are for “bad parents.” Instead, he emphasizes that POM is designed for good parents who want to improve. “I call it the ‘Profession of Parenting,’ much like any other professional development course. Parents aren’t ‘bad’, they’re already good, but they want to stay relevant and enhance their skills.”
Richard’s goal is to help create home environments where children don’t need to search for what they need elsewhere. With decades of experience as a correctional officer, high school counsellor, and gang intervention leader, he understands the importance of parental self-growth.
Richard adds, “Parents need to do the work to ensure that their kids turn to them for guidance, that’s not a given anymore. While no one teaches this skill, POM provides the resources to make it possible. It’s not about control or perfection, but about being present and showing our kids that home is their safest, most reliable place.”
He continues, “The time our kids spend online isn’t just for entertainment.” Citing research that shows children aged 8-12 spend an average of 4-6 hours a day on screens, with teens often logging up to 9 hours*, Richard warns about the dangers of social media. “Platforms like TikTok and Instagram shape their values, decisions, and self-worth. If parents don’t actively connect with their children, the screens and influencers will step into that role, and I’ve seen first-hand how dangerous that can be. These platforms aren’t going anywhere, so it’s crucial for parents to reconnect with their children and reclaim their role as their primary guide.”
Through his books, courses, and events, Richard equips parents with practical tools and strategies to build trust, foster loyalty, and strengthen the connection within their families. Rather than blaming or adding to parents’ stress, he offers actionable steps to help them navigate the complexities of modern life while reclaiming their role as their children’s main source of guidance.
Richard adds, “POM isn’t just a national initiative in the U.S.—it’s also international, having made an impact in countries like Guatemala and El Salvador, where it’s become a model for violence prevention. Strong family connections serve as a protective barrier against gang involvement and street violence, providing children with a sense of belonging that shields them from negative influences.”
His work has been recognized by the White House Administration, U.S. Congress, and the California State Assembly. Richard firmly believes that the key to solving the challenges of modern parenting begins and ends with a healthy attachment between parents and children.
“Family is the foundation of every neighbourhood, every community, and every nation,” Richard concludes. “That foundation is being slowly eroded, but when parents understand how to step into their role as leaders in the home, they can raise responsible, resilient children who grow into positive contributors to society. That’s my mission—to help parents do just that.”
For more information about Richard Ramos and POM visit www.richardrramos.com.
Image- Richard Ramos.
