How To Raise An American

Welcome

Do you love America?
Do you stand with your hand over your heart when the national anthem is played? Do your eyes well up when you see Old Glory flying over our nation’s capitol? Are you proud to call this country your home? Now what about your kids? You want them to love America as much as you do, but when popular culture tells them it’s cooler to hate this country than to love it, how can you teach them to be responsible and loyal citizens?

As mothers, we---editor and author Myrna Blyth and former presidential speechwriter Chriss Winston--- have struggled with the same dilemma. Shocked by the growing patriotism gap, 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. This practical guide along with this Web site offers tips, games, activities, quizzes, and information you can use to integrate patriotism into your family’s daily life. 
Read How to Raise an American, visit this Web site for updates, news and ways to share your own ideas. 

Together we can raise kids who will be proud to say “I am an American!”   

What's Wrong with this Picture? Nothing!

In one of America's most popular high school texts books today, the Disco Generation got 200 words.  Steven Spielberg got more than 400 words and the topic of Nicaraugua and the Iran Contra scandal got more than a 1000 words.   The American space program, one of our country's most inspiring and wonderful stories for children, got a whopping 78 words. 

Tip of the Day: “Breaking Away”

Have an All-American movie night, complete with popcorn, at least, a couple of times a month.  A very American movie that the whole family will want to curl up and watch, “Breaking Away” takes place in Bloomington, Indiana, the hometown of the University of Indiana.  It is about kids and parents, the problems of growing up and ends with a great bike race that will have everyone cheering. 

Dinner Table Debate: When Do You Feel Most American ?

A couple years ago, the radio show Morning Edition asked its listeners to describe when they “felt most American.”.  One listener said it was when she rode the New York City subway, seeing the “melting pot” of America. Another said it was when she watched the one-block-long bike parade to celebrate Flag Day in her Illinois home town, a place so small it doesn’t even have a real main street.  What about your family?  What makes them feel American? 

Is it when they learn about a past American achievement?
When they read about the courage of our military? 
Maybe it’s a patriotic holiday that brings out their American spirit? 
Or when your teenage daughter  hits the shopping mall,  does she make a connection between the endless shelves filled with products and America’s unrivaled economic system?   

Then ask them: Do they think it is important to feel American?
Do most of their friends “feel American"?
Even ask them what makes them feel “un-American.”  You may be surprised by their answers.  They might be, too.

Tip of the Day: Family Vacation

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?”

Tip of the Day: Hometown Flag

Learn about your own home town’s government.  Take your kids--along with a couple of their friends for a tour of City Hall.    If you call ahead, and the group is large enough, you may get a special tour by an elected official and even a chance to meet the Mayor or Town Manager.    Have the kids say thank-you by designing a flag for the town.  They can find out how on www.nava.org.   Bet the local paper would write a story about the visit and publish a picture of the flag they create.

Tip of the Day: Those Who Served

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.

Tip of the Day: Sign the Declaration of Independence.

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!

Tip of the Day: Felicity

A book girls with love “Felicity: An American Girl” about a girl growing up during Colonial times which is part of the American Girl series.  There is also a movie about “Felicity” that the whole family would enjoy.   Buy "Felicity: An American Girl" at amazon.com.

Tip of the Day: Jr. G-Men (and women)

A great government website that children will really enjoy: FBI For Kids www.fbi.gov/fbifk.htm.  It includes games, stories, and tales of heroic bomb-sniffing dogs.  Lots of fun!

Dinner Table Debate: Is This a Great Contry or What?

Here’s another family debate that should get them talking and thinking.    You can start things along by throwing out words that others have used to describe Americans ---some good and some not so good:

Freedom-loving     Materialistic
Idealistic                   Arrogant
Hard-working          Aggressive
Independent            Unsophisticated
Traditional               Rebellious

Which words do they think best describe us?   If they could only describe America with three words, what would they be?
You can also ask them during this discussion:
• Do they think America is still a special place?
• Do immigrants have more or less opportunities than they once had?

Many of our enemies abroad say America is a force for evil in the world. And some here at home, seem to agree.
• But then why are millions of people still trying so hard to come here?
• Isn’t this a contradiction? What do they think?