Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that children will share the views of their parents regarding politics or in their general feelings of gratitude (or ungratefulness) towards this country.
That being said, there are certainly ways to fill a child’s early life with experiences that build a compassionate heart, an intuitive and curious mind, eager ears, and core values like faith, courage, and service. The combination of these experiences help lead children down a path of goodness, gently guiding them to one day becoming a strong, capable, and responsible citizens.
In all of my research, there are three key questions that have stuck out to me, and which I plan on asking my children one day. These questions can be casually brought up in conversation, to begin the process of shaping their character more and more each day.
Question One: What does freedom mean to you?
Children shape their view of freedom around concepts beginning on a micro scale, like daily decisions and personal relationships. But eventually, they begin to understand free will on a macro scale, regarding the relationship between individuals and communities, and their place in society.
Taking it a step further, they should begin to form an understanding that freedom is much more than a system of government. It also includes self-reliance, lack of dependency on the systems around us, and responsible decision making and self-discipline in our personal lives.
Question Two: What do you like most about your family?
A strong nation cannot survive without strong family units. Strong familial relationships can make or break a society. Unfortunately, fatherlessness, single motherhood, and divorce all create worsening conditions for children to grow up in. Giving them stability and a healthy example of love and kindness early on should be the foundational goal of parents around America. Additionally, generational respect and strength can lead to a flourishing family, involving grandparents when possible and keeping family near creates healthier communities.
Today’s culture pushes an anti-family agenda, and it’s my personal belief that this messaging is having a detrimental impact on our nation. From a young age, parents should emphasize how important it is to love and care for family.
Question Three: What do you think are some of the hardest things about being a _____?
Parents can fill in the blank with parent, child, brother, teacher, police officer, etc. The purpose of this question is to get children to think critically from different angles and other perspectives. Asking them to flex their brain muscles in this way will encourage active thought in the future — when societal problems demand critically thinking citizens!
Politics may be downstream from culture, but culture is downstream of how we raise and teach children. I am beginning to cultivate the skills I want to have before becoming a parent myself, and am making practical choices every day to make sure I can provide a great future for my family one day. If you aren’t a parent yet, now is the time to begin preparing your heart and mind for that wonderful time in life. If you are a parent, let me know in the comments what questions you ask your children to expand their understanding of the world around them!
