Children Patriots
This year will be an especially poignant Independence Day for
the United States on July 4. While there has been a surge in
patriotism since September 11, we all need to maintain a sense
of pride and love for our country whether we are at war or
living in peace.
Children need to feel a sense of belonging, in their family,
their classrooms and their country. They thrive in an
environment of respect, compassion and stability. If we teach
our kids love, honor, compassion and respect for their country
as well as for their fellow man, they will not only be graced by
a sense of patriotism, they will become better citizens.
One of our greatest challenges as parents is to raise our
children to be healthy, honorable adults. A sense of patriotism
is a good reinforcement of honor and ethics.
Our babies learn kindness from our gentle touch; they learn
healthy self-esteem by our praise and respect; they learn to
maintain their precious bodies with good food and regular
exercise. They learn these living examples from their caretakers
and schools. We are also responsible for teaching them to
respect and be kind to others, to keep their community clean and
to trust that their country will defend and protect them as best
it can. I firmly believe they should be taught to revere their
country