By: Katie Albers
My husband enjoys researching the ancestries of our families, and as far back as he has documented, both of our families are American. The last names of our families hint at English, Scottish, Irish, and German heritages, but ultimately, we are full-blooded, American mutts. And, I could not be more proud to declare so.
The United States of America has a history rich with innovators, adventurers, creators, and debaters. We collectively value integrity, independence, and free-thinking. We are courageous and clever and passionate and imaginative. We are well-meaning and generous and faithful and forgiving. With so much good shouldn’t we also be overwhelmingly patriotic?
It is our duty as parents to show our children how blessed we are to call ourselves Americans.
Buy an American flag and display it on your home year round, not just on holidays. Teach your children to respect the flag by not letting it touch the ground and by replacing it when it becomes tattered.
Stand and participate when the “Pledge of Allegiance” is said or the “National Anthem” is played. Model for your children the respectful behavior appropriate for these times.
Introduce your child to a member of the military or a veteran of the armed services. Help your children to honor that person through showing gratitude and appreciating his or her stories.
Sing patriotic songs in your home. Teach your children the classics, “This Land is Your Land,” “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America,” and help them make up their own.
Choose vacation destinations and activities that include a lesson in American history. While on those car trips, bring a map of the United States and as you see different license plates mark them on your map. Celebrate when you’ve found all 50 states.
Let your children accompany you when you vote. Let them see the process and talk with them about the importance of this privilege.
Decorate your home for patriotic holidays. Make American flags and eagles and Liberty Bells.
Tell your children about the history of our country. Recount the stories of our founding fathers and our important documents. Talk about the battles we’ve won and the struggles that we have overcome. Ingrain in them how blessed we are to live in this country.
Our children will value what we value. Show them through your actions and your words what it is that you think is important. At our house, we have an American flag hanging on the front porch year round. Each evening, the sunset hits it just right so the stars and stripes glow with a golden aura. Old Glory flies today because of the sacrifices of so many before us. I take it as my responsibility to not let my children take any of that for granted.
God bless America! Happy 4th of July!