"Carl the Collector" won two Emmys. I have feelings.

A handful of quotes are permanently inked into my brain — ready to recenter me when life gets messy. This reflection from Fred Rogers is one of them.

Please think of the children first.

If you ever have anything to do with their entertainment, their food, their toys, their custody, their child care, their health care, their education—listen to the children, learn about them, learn from them.

Think of the children first.

I spent last weekend in the company of people who “think of the children first.”

Children’s media people — particularly those who work with or for PBS KIDS — tend to be wired that way. The Children’s and Family Emmy Awards was a celebration of good people making beautiful art for children.

I was lucky enough to go because I work as an advisor for “Carl the Collector” — a big-hearted PBS KIDS show that has my whole heart. (Read more about why it’s so special to me.)

Carl the Collector took home two(!) Emmys.

This award recognized the work of the whole team. For creating a show that promotes inclusion, kindness, and empathy — and THEN creating educational materials and events that reached tens of thousands of children.

The second Emmy specifically called out one episode: “The Fall.” In this episode, Carl tells his Fuzzytown friends that he is autistic . . . after a lot of practicing and scripting with his mom.

The writer of this episode is the amazing Ava X. Rigelhaupt. I encourage you read her story as she tells it in “My Journey From Autism Diagnosis to a PBS Writers Room.”

When I told my 12-year-old son about this nomination, he asked me why this episode was the one that got chosen out of all the options. He has other favorites, including “The Marble Collection” episode — for which he offered expert advice on how to name marbles and build marble runs (and, in turn, got a marble named after him in the episode!)

I turned it back on him. Why do YOU think that episode is worth recognizing?

His response?

“That’s the one where Carl explains his autism for the first time, right? I guess that was a really important episode to get right.” Indeed.

Watching Ava accept the award and claim her place on that stage was such an awe-inspiring moment. Click the photo to watch her red-carpet interview and you’ll see what I mean.

Was it fun to dress up and walk the Red Carpet with colleagues who have become friends? Yup! Also fun: getting a selfie with Bill Nye and watching the full moon rise over New York City from the windows of Lincoln Center.

But I didn’t know how much this experience would light up my soul — how much it would remind me of my why.

When Tabitha Brown accepted her Emmy for outstanding host, her speech captured it.

“I’m so grateful to be trusted with the mind of children. I am grateful to be trusted by parents who see me and say ‘My child can watch this — she seems safe.’ Because we are living in a world where there are a lot of unsafe places for children — and for adults. But to be part of the safe place is an honor.”

Back to real life — and the real work of raising kids and working on behalf of kids. My son texted me after the ceremony and said, “You are now officially my Emmy-award winning mom.” Now that is best job in the world.

Cheers,

Deborah Farmer Kris * www.parenthood365.com

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And here’s the full Emmy-award winning episode “The Fall” for your enjoyment!

Here are some bonus photos — like that Bill Nye selfie that will probably find its way to my desk :)