Freedom. People have worked for it, fought for it, and died for it. In order to have freedom it takes tremendous courage. Courage is something we must teach our children.

Establish a new tradition this year as you prepare to celebrate our country’s freedom. Share examples of people you view as being courageous. Have each family member name one person who is still living who they feel symbolizes real life courage and then share one person that exemplifies this from history.

Another idea is chronicle the answers from your kids. Cut out paper stars and have your older kids write on their own stars. The younger ones can dictate their answers. On the top of each star write, “I love my country because…” of “Courage means to me…” and then leave space for the answers you will collect over the years. As the children change and mature, you will see how their answers change as they experience the circumstances of life. Use your stars to decorate for your Fourth of July party or design a backdrop for an annual Fourth of July family photo.

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” Winston Churchill

“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at its testing point.” C.S. Lewis