Get the feedMaking Patriotism a Priority: Addressing the Patriotism Gap
Tuesday, Jun 29th 2010
"Remember those who served. Ask your children to write a letter to their school’s principal suggesting that local veterans of different generations speak about their experiences at a school assembly. Your local chapters of the American Legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be able to supply speakers for the assembly or to speak to different classes. A great idea for Veterans or Memorial Day."
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
"Sign the Declaration of Indepedence. Yes ,your kids can do it ! Find the Declaration at the website of the National Archives www.archives.gov. On that site you can look at the original, read a transcript, and download a copy of the original. Then have them add their John Hancock to America's birth certificate!"
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
"A history book that belongs in every family’s library is “A Patriot’s History of the United States” by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen, both professors. Unlike many textbooks your kids may be reading, this book offer a thorough balanced look at out past, written with flair and a sense of humor. Have it on your shelf and consult it if you disagree with the views in your child’s history text book."
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
Plan a family vacation to the mother lode of historic sites: Washington DC. Places not to miss include the Washington Monument and the major memorials including Lincoln, Jefferson, World War II, Vietnam. Don’t forget the National Archives, the Smithsonian, especially the Air and Space Museum, the Library of Congress, the White House and the Mint. Kids also love the Newseum, the Spy Museum and Ford’s Theater. Nearby is Arlington Cemetery and George Washington’s Mt. Vernon. Kids usually leave asking, “When do we come back?”
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
Nothing says patriotism like the 4th of July. However, in “How to Raise an American,” best-selling author Myrna Blyth and former White House speechwriter Chriss Winston address what they call a “patriotism gap” – kids today seem much less patriotic than their parents.
Both philosophical and practical, this book is full of tips: dinner table debate topics, patriotic movies, historically accurate and compelling books, and “60-Minute Solutions” to instill a love of country. It challenges parents to take a citizenship test, to trace their “American stories,” and to evaluate their patriotic parenting skills: “Did you vote in the last election,” and “Did you attend a Fourth of July event?”
The authors write, “As mothers, we... have struggled with the same dilemma… we set out to create a real-world resource any parent can use to teach their kids about the greatness of America’s past, the promise of her future, and the important role each of us plays in this democracy. Without becoming a project for you or a chore for your kids, our book How to Raise an American shows you how to make patriotism a priority.”
Prioritizing patriotism is a challenging and worthwhile concept – for both parents and the kids. Perhaps you might like to be reminded of stories of the American dream, which laud the importance of faith, and celebrate the deep conviction of our military. By the time you get to chapter six, you’ll might even want to take “the Patriot Pledge,” a seven part oath to make patriotism an enriching part of family life.
The book also suggests taking family road trips to historical places. (For example, one of their top destinations was Philadelphia – the birthplace of freedom – where families can visit Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Betsy Ross’s home. There are many others that might make for a good summer road trip.)
So, enjoy a good fireworks display, drink some lemonade, and make a commitment as a family to think more about the history – and consequently, the future – of this great country!
Published in 2007, this is not an easy book to find. Find it on eBay here, and on Amazon here, and read the first chapter of the book for free here.
Watch Myrna Blythe discuss her book on Fox and Friends here!
Nancy French
Nancy French is an author, commentator, and mother. Her next book, about the year her husband spent in Iraq is due out July 4, 2011. Connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NancyAndersonFrench and follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nancyafrench.
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"Remember those who served. Ask your children to write a letter to their school’s principal suggesting that local veterans of different generations speak about their experiences at a school assembly. Your local chapters of the American Legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be able to supply speakers for the assembly or to speak to different classes. A great idea for Veterans or Memorial Day."
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
"Sign the Declaration of Indepedence. Yes ,your kids can do it ! Find the Declaration at the website of the National Archives www.archives.gov. On that site you can look at the original, read a transcript, and download a copy of the original. Then have them add their John Hancock to America's birth certificate!"
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
"A history book that belongs in every family’s library is “A Patriot’s History of the United States” by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen, both professors. Unlike many textbooks your kids may be reading, this book offer a thorough balanced look at out past, written with flair and a sense of humor. Have it on your shelf and consult it if you disagree with the views in your child’s history text book."
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
Plan a family vacation to the mother lode of historic sites: Washington DC. Places not to miss include the Washington Monument and the major memorials including Lincoln, Jefferson, World War II, Vietnam. Don’t forget the National Archives, the Smithsonian, especially the Air and Space Museum, the Library of Congress, the White House and the Mint. Kids also love the Newseum, the Spy Museum and Ford’s Theater. Nearby is Arlington Cemetery and George Washington’s Mt. Vernon. Kids usually leave asking, “When do we come back?”
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
These Tips of the Day were found on How to Raise an American's website.
by Darlene Louf #