| Since September 11, 2001 Independence Day for | | | | models for our future generations.One of our |
| the United States on July 4th has been | | | | greatest challenges as parents is to raise |
| especially poignant. While there has been a | | | | our children to be honorable and respectful |
| surge in patriotism, we all need to maintain | | | | adults. Adopting a path of patriotism is a |
| a sense of pride and love for our country | | | | good reinforcement for them to show honor and |
| whether we are at war or in peace | | | | a sense of ethics.Our babies learn kindness |
| time.Children need to feel a sense of | | | | at first from our gentle touch; they also |
| belonging too, in their family, their | | | | learn self-esteem by our praise and respect. |
| classrooms and in their country. They will | | | | They mostly learn these living examples from |
| thrive in an environment of respect, | | | | their parents and at school. We are |
| compassion and stability. If we as parents | | | | responsible for teaching them to respect and |
| teach our kids to love, honor, show | | | | be kind to others, regardless of our |
| compassion and respect for their country as | | | | differences. We are also responsible for |
| well as for their fellow man, they will not | | | | teaching them to keep their community clean, |
| only be graced by a sense of patriotism, they | | | | and to trust that their country will defend |
| will become better citizens, and in turn role | | | | and protect them as best it can. |