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How to Raise an American: 1776 Fun and Easy Tools, Tips, and Activities to Help Your Child Love This Country
Do you love America? 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 bash this country than to love it, how can you teach them to be proud and loyal citizens?
As mothers themselves, bestselling author Myrna Blyth and former presidential speechwriter Chriss Winston have struggled with the same dilemma. Shocked by the growing patriotism gap, they set out to create a real-world resource all parents can use to teach their kids about the greatness of America’s past, the promise of its future, and the important role each of us plays in this democracy. How to Raise an American shows you how to make patriotism a priority without it becoming a chore for you or your kids.
This practical guide offers tips, games, activities, quizzes, and information you can use to make patriotism part of your family’s daily life,
- 60-Minute Solutions that easily and seamlessly instill a love of this country
- Dinner Table Debate topics that will have the whole family talking
- Road trip ideas that bring America’s history to life
- Books and movies that exemplify our shared ideals
- Inspiring stories of American courage, honor, and ingenuity
- Fun and educational ways to celebrate American holidays like the Fourth of July and Veterans Day
Blyth and Winston consulted prominent historians, academics, military leaders, politicians, authors, scholars, film critics and parents around the country to bring you a truly useful guide. Part treatise on patriotism, part American history primer, part civics lesson, this book is the antidote to the virulent America bashing our children hear every day.
Inspiring and practical, How to Raise an American is a must for every patriot—parent and child.
As mothers themselves, bestselling author Myrna Blyth and former presidential speechwriter Chriss Winston have struggled with the same dilemma. Shocked by the growing patriotism gap, they set out to create a real-world resource all parents can use to teach their kids about the greatness of America’s past, the promise of its future, and the important role each of us plays in this democracy. How to Raise an American shows you how to make patriotism a priority without it becoming a chore for you or your kids.
This practical guide offers tips, games, activities, quizzes, and information you can use to make patriotism part of your family’s daily life,
- 60-Minute Solutions that easily and seamlessly instill a love of this country
- Dinner Table Debate topics that will have the whole family talking
- Road trip ideas that bring America’s history to life
- Books and movies that exemplify our shared ideals
- Inspiring stories of American courage, honor, and ingenuity
- Fun and educational ways to celebrate American holidays like the Fourth of July and Veterans Day
Blyth and Winston consulted prominent historians, academics, military leaders, politicians, authors, scholars, film critics and parents around the country to bring you a truly useful guide. Part treatise on patriotism, part American history primer, part civics lesson, this book is the antidote to the virulent America bashing our children hear every day.
Inspiring and practical, How to Raise an American is a must for every patriot—parent and child.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
5 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 15, 2009
It was awful. I thought it looked interesting and hoping it to be full of inspiring ideas. However, I suspected within a few pages that it was a conservative lean, then it quickly when from questionable to obvious. And then yep, one of the authors worked under the first Bush admin. And oh yeah, it makes claim after claim without any listing any sources. Do not read- except for a critical look at the annoying blah, blah, blah of conservative America.
January 20, 2010
This book gets 4 1/2 stars from me.
Going into this book, I knew it would have a conservative slant (which is okay with me because I do as well). However, I was pleasantly surprised at the low level of liberal bashing in the book. Instead rants and apocolyptic hand wringing, the authors presented a straight forward, concise discussion on why increased levels of patriotism are needed and how we can achieve those levels.
"How to Raise an American" is well organized. The first part explains why patriotism is so important and why it is so necessary today. The second part lays out activities and ideas that will promote that patriotism within your own family. Throughout the book are topics for discussion with your children at the dinner table and inspiring stories about great Americans. I loved that the book didn't ramble and didn't repeat ideas. Once a point was made and examples were given the authors quickly went on to the next point.
I also loved the many lists and websites given. What are the best movies to watch about America? What are the best children's books? What textbooks in history offer the most balanced look at our country's past? Which textbooks are the most anti-American? All these answers are in the book.
Because of these helps and the activities listed, this book is a great one to have on hand at all times. I need to return this book to the library and buy one for me to keep always. I encourage you to do the same.
Going into this book, I knew it would have a conservative slant (which is okay with me because I do as well). However, I was pleasantly surprised at the low level of liberal bashing in the book. Instead rants and apocolyptic hand wringing, the authors presented a straight forward, concise discussion on why increased levels of patriotism are needed and how we can achieve those levels.
"How to Raise an American" is well organized. The first part explains why patriotism is so important and why it is so necessary today. The second part lays out activities and ideas that will promote that patriotism within your own family. Throughout the book are topics for discussion with your children at the dinner table and inspiring stories about great Americans. I loved that the book didn't ramble and didn't repeat ideas. Once a point was made and examples were given the authors quickly went on to the next point.
I also loved the many lists and websites given. What are the best movies to watch about America? What are the best children's books? What textbooks in history offer the most balanced look at our country's past? Which textbooks are the most anti-American? All these answers are in the book.
Because of these helps and the activities listed, this book is a great one to have on hand at all times. I need to return this book to the library and buy one for me to keep always. I encourage you to do the same.
August 21, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. Teaching my kids patriotism is really important to me and this book has a lot of great ideas. I even made Ryan read it. The book has a few chapters in the beginning convincing parents why it is so important for you to be involved in your children's education as they develop opinoins and knowledge about this country. The authors make a lot of good points. The rest of the book has resources and ideas about how you can take control over the media and school's influence over your children to help them develop a positive attitude about America and a better knowledge of history. The only drawback was that this book is geared more torward older kids. I would say 3rd to 8th graders would get the most out of the ideas listed, although there are some great resources for older and younger kids as well.
May 29, 2009
Fantastic suggestions promoting patriotism to incorporate into your family traditions. I use this book for ideas for each holiday that relates to American history. There is a "Test Yourself" quiz to see how you rate teaching your children patriotism. Also, the authors challenge you, as a family, to write and sign a pledge to commit to your beliefs. Wonderful!
June 16, 2014
This book is a great resource for families trying to instill patriotism and American history into their children. There are some excellent stories and activities, lots of great ideas in order for kids to learn without feeling like they're being preached to. I even used this book several times when talking with my Cub Scout Bear den, and plan to incorporate it more in the years to come.
November 2, 2008
I really liked this book. At the end it gives you ideas to help your family and it explains the dates and why we have certain holidays. I learned things that they never taught you school and I'm always telling Daniel things that I learned from the book.
August 26, 2011
Great book! If you love or even like this country of ours read this book. It is much more enjoyable to read it with your children and participate in the activities inside. Some awesome stuff in there.
January 24, 2014
I really liked this book. The first half was especially great. My husband would say I got "riled up" every time I read. As a homeschooling mom I have the opportunity to incorporate a lot of these ideas in my children's studies.
There is a great list of books to read with kids.
There is a great list of books to read with kids.
March 1, 2015
What a waste of time this would have been. Glad I only skimmed (and got it at the library instead of buying). The title should rather be How to brainwash your child into loving America unconditionally and blindly. No fact-checking or critical thinking allowed. Ugh!
Want to read
April 29, 2007Doesn't this look awesome?!
May 5, 2014
lots of great ideas!
April 2, 2009
Awesome book! It's the reason why I've focused so much on our country's history this year in our homeschool.
July 25, 2009
Chock full of great ideas to increase your children's, and your own, appreciation of the history and meaning of America.
April 10, 2011
fun book, i would recommend this for anyone with children that wants to balance out the sometimes misdirected or "sanitized for their protection" history and civics education that todays kids get.
July 10, 2007
OOOOOOOhhh. I loved this book. :)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews