How to Bring Patriotism to Your Kids’ Morning Routine
We get it.
Mornings are packed. Crazy even.
But what if we told you that you could start to change our country from the inside out, just with your kids’ morning routine?
Would you be in?
As you know, patriotism is in serious decline in public schools. Beyond that, there’s a push for CRT, which is about as anti-American as it gets. The heart of your kiddos is in your hands now more than ever.
And, by the way, you’re the most qualified to teach them.
If your school is trying to shut down patriotism, we’re here to show you how to bring patriotism to your kids’ morning routine.
1. Start With Breakfast
We all face the hustle and bustle of the morning rush. It can be a daily race to the finish line between toothbrushing, lunch-making, and finding clean socks.
It might feel like there’s no way to add even one more thing to the before-school to-do list. But, if you can carve out just five minutes with your child over a muffin or a bowl of cereal, you can make a life-long impact on their hearts and minds.
A 2005 Columbia University study showed that teens who eat with their families do better academically.i Separate research credited improved literacy skills simply from regular family table time for younger kids.ii
This is where you build a foundation – a strong connection with family, which leads to a greater influence from you when you talk faith and freedom.
It’s quick and easy to add a moment of calm connection to your breakfast routine. Without a doubt, it will reap rewards for your kids!
2. Say the Pledge
Remember when you were in school?
The Pledge of Allegiance was part of your day – usually just after roll call. It meant something then. It still does.
But sadly, many schools have eliminated the practice altogether. Some have removed the American flag from classrooms or even replaced them with LGBT flags.
Here’s how you counter this negative trend.
Purchase a mini table-top flag, have the stars and stripes posted on the fridge, or display it somewhere else in sight. Stand with your child, place your hand on your heart, and say the pledge together.
It takes about 15 seconds. This simple act is a quick and effective way to instill love and respect for the country. It can help your child develop the heart of a patriot. (For more ideas like this, be sure to check out our Cottage Meetings)
We strongly recommend putting God first, so a short devotional and prayer is the perfect pre-pledge routine. Don’t forget to pray for our nation as well!
3. Share Patriotic Stories
To really drive home the principles of freedom and make patriotism part of your kid’s morning routine, take a few moments to share a brief story of patriotism with your kids.
Epic tales of great Americans who were founders, inventors, soldiers, mothers, and more make up our history. Short breakfast-time readings about these heroes will engage your child’s mind and imagination and develop the heart of a patriot. (For more, find 7 Ways to Raise Patriots HERE)
Story has a way of getting quickly to the heart, instilling the values of faith, family, and country. As you share these fantastic accounts, be sure to include your thoughts and beliefs. Let your child experience your connection to these patriotic tales.
Where can you find these stories?
Check out the list of ideas below. Some are short stories; others are longer form. There are works of historical fiction and picture books. Any style can fit the bill so long as it recounts American history respectfully, accurately, and is engaging. When you share patriotic stories, you change the heart of your child.
If you select a chapter book, don’t overdo it. Keep the passages short so that you don’t lose your child’s interest and so that it doesn’t become an undue burden for your morning schedule. The excitement will build as they look forward to the next daily installment. Nothing wrong with leaving them wanting more!
- The American Story: 100 True Tales From American History – Jennifer Armstrong
- Our Constitution Rocks – Juliette Turner (Teens & Tweens)
- Jean Fritz – author (many titles, including Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution, And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? George Washington’s breakfast.)
- Otto’s Tales – Dennis Prager (storybook collection)
- The Children’s Book of America – William Bennett
- Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans – Edward Eggleston
- Rush Revere – book series by Rush Limbaugh
- Imagination Station – (Fiction including titles, The Redcoats are Coming, Captured on the High Seas, Surprise at Yorktown, Freedom at the Falls)
- America’s Story – Angela O’Dell (Curriculum set)
You have the power to raise faith-filled, patriotic children! Don’t underestimate what you can accomplish in just a few short minutes. When make patriotism part of your morning routine, your child sees that patriotism is a priority in your home, it will speak loudly.
Your five-minute pause in your kids’ morning routine will strengthen them in many ways and create a family legacy of patriotism.
i “Mealtime talk that supports literacy development” https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cd.155
ii “Dinner: Nourish Your Family…As a Family”
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/dinner-nourish-your-family-as-a-family/
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