How do you define patriotism?
Categories: Holidays
Beyond hot dogs and fireworks, have you taught your child the meaning behind Independence Day? I'll admit that I haven't even started. We have our Fourth of July traditions, but even my older daughter has only the vaguest grasp on what the holiday is all about.One of our traditions is meeting our in-laws in a town in between ours and theirs for a road race early in the day. My husband's brother is a runner, and he does a 10K there every year. This year, he and my husband took our girls in the 2K fun run as well. As we stood watching the runners go by, a group of racers carrying flags and wearing t-shirts emblazoned with "support our troops" went by. The crowd went wild as they passed, and my older daughter asked me, "Why are they clapping for them?" Not the most perfect place for a civic lesson, but I did my best.
CNN asked their readers to share their own thoughts on patriotism today, and the responses are interesting. I'd like to go one step further and ask ParentDish readers: How do you teach your own children about patriotism and what traditions do you have that help teach your kids more about this holiday?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sweetchuckd 7-04-2008 @ 5:08PM
Have you seen the story about the Minnesota teen who tried to sell his presidential vote on eBay? He was offering starting at $10, but is now facing criminal charges. Sounds kind of patriotic? I came across it on http://detentionslip.org.
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Jenni 7-06-2008 @ 12:11AM
I hope he is punished to the full extent of the law. I would ask for his citizenship back. That is completely anti-American and a mockery to this country...it's sad.
As for me, I don't teach about patriotism on July 4th...I teach it every day of the year. In my preschool classrooms we say the pledge of allegiance every day, we sing and play patriotic music weekly if not daily, and we talk about this great country and it's leaders (both past and present). Do they get it all? No, but it build a great foundation.
It's obviously something people like to see because I can't even count how many calls I get from relatives asking for a spot in our program because "you say the pledge of allegiance" or "you teach them what it is to be an American". Oh, and these are people who are immigrants mostly (legal and illegal). At least they know what is important.
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