Here's an Independence Day "birthday greeting" for the children of the USA that I'm going to share with my kids today.
Is it too much? Let me know in the comments or please share it if you like it:
“You live in the United States of America. As an American you get to celebrate our country’s birthday today. Hooray!
Our country is a collection of towns and states that came together over 200 years ago to start a new country dedicated to the idea of “Independence”.
Being “independent” means that everybody who lives in America has an equal right to be free and try to be who they want to be.
That doesn’t just mean hot dogs and fireworks today on July 4th.
It means that you are part of something important, a dream of independence shared by hundreds of millions of other Americans (and many people around the world, too) all year ‘round.
On July 4, 1776, the people who started our country did exactly that - they started a new country!
They did that because they believed that if you want to be rich, you should be free to try to do that. If you want to become a doctor, a construction worker, a teacher, a cowgirl, an inventor, or anything else – you can try to do that, too.
Every person gets to choose how they want to live. And when you grow up so do you.
America is not the biggest or toughest country in the world but it was the first ever to be started specifically to help its people live better lives.
Many other countries around the world make it hard for their people to pursue their dreams, so to help us all stay “independent” it’s important that you speak up when you see problems at school, here at home, in the neighborhood, and that you vote when you get older, too.
Mommy and I want you to know that you are independent to grow up to be anything you want, and that you should work hard and help other people, too.
All of that is possible because this country and you are both “independent” not just on July 4th but every day here in America.
Our country isn’t perfect but Americans try hard to do the right thing and Mommy and I hope you will, too.
Because that’s what Americans do and that’s what makes America a great place to live.
Any questions?”
What do you think of this?
In our ADD world, this kind of message can't be too complex or too long, especially for children.
But I’m going to read this to them to hopefully stir up a discussion in their little heads.
As I explain in this short Independence Day video from 2010, I think July 4 is the most important holiday of the year, especially for kids growing up in the new, more entrepreneurial economy.
I’d like to help my kids appreciate from an early age that we are blessed to live here and they shouldn’t take for granted the freedoms previous generations fought so hard for. That their liberties and the American Dream are important, unique, and worth defending.
Then, of course, there will be hot dogs, fireworks, and bomb pops!
What do you think? Is it too much?
Do you have edits or suggestions?
How do you celebrate July 4 at your house?
[Please share this if you think this message is important for kids today!]
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I think it's great! Important for everyone to be reminded of what we hope to represent as a country and embrace in our own lives.
Posted by: Liz | July 04, 2012 at 04:33 PM
I love the fact that you also mentioned the importance of helping other people. It's so important for children to be taught this. This is a great message for American children to hear. As someone from the UK, I love the American 'can-do' attitude and celebrate with all of you. God bless America.
Posted by: Sandra Pandi | July 04, 2012 at 09:19 PM
Thank you Liz and Sandra!
I hope you're having great summers (in the UK and Switzerland respectively).
Best,
Scott
Posted by: Scott_Fox | July 07, 2012 at 11:07 AM