Kids AMERICAN was born out of two thoughts I’ve always had – ever since they were little, I’ve wanted my kids to have a radical appreciation for those who have served and given us the freedoms we so flippantly enjoy. Also, I’ve always wanted them acutely aware of all they are capable of; all that kids CAN do.
While I was pregnant, some of the best advice I received was “never do anything for your child they can do for themselves.” While I didn’t follow this advice one hundred percent of the time (because some things you just enjoy doing for your kids as an act of love), I did take it to heart and used it on several occasions. For instance, my kids were ordering for themselves in restaurants since they were five years old—looking servers in the eye and asking for what they wanted off the menu, substitution requests and all. When they went through the pen pal phase, they addressed and stamped all their own letters. Before starting Kids AMERICAN, I owned a cleaning company and while it may have taken twice as long, I had my kids fill out our deposit and withdrawal slips in the bank drive thru lane. So, you see my point—there is so much Kids CAN do!
Kids can earn their own money selling hot chocolate in the winter and lemonade in the summer. Kids can write a post for Nextdoor and host a charity drive. Kids can sell crafts to raise money for good causes. Kids can get a library card and choose and check out their own 30 books. Kids can grocery shop, push the cart and scan the items (think Kevin McCallister “I got milk, eggs and fabric softener.”). Kids CAN draw pictures for their local nursing home residents. Kids CAN clip coupons. Kids CAN start a pet-sitting business. The list goes on and on and on!
So while teaching kids traditional American Values is our main goal, we want to do so with an underlying emphasis of all that kids CAN do in their own homes and communities to pass on these values and become the leaders our tomorrow so desperately needs!