Pondering the Future: Patriotism and Americanism From Afar

*Started this post on the 5th, however, potty training has kept me from finishing it until now*

I've been thinking a lot the past few days.  It started on the 1st of July with Canada Day and my thoughts have kept taunting me since.  And as I looked around yesterday I found that instead of having answers I had even more questions.



I never considered myself very patriotic.  While I do respect the flag I don't have a desire to wave it around, wear attire with it, or stick it to my home.  I wasn't aware of how patriotic I actually am, and how much was taught to me through public education, until I became involved with someone from another country.  I have since begun to see how patriotism is part of our lifestyle here.

There is a flag on every bus and train.  All fire engines cary a large flag flying on the back.  Flags are everywhere.   When learning about our history in school there is no 'brief overview."  We must go over a whole lot of details, details that in retrospect seem pointless.  It's no wonder most Americans don't know much about our history, they zone out during class!  It seems that every single little struggle must be learned in great detail.  Too many battles during wars.  Too many supposedly key people.  Too much talk about our way of doing things and how it is better than everyone else's.  Yes, this is the way it is presented.

Not that history isn't important.  It is very important and there is much to learn about our country, much to be proud of and much to be ashamed of.  But maybe teaching all those details in specific college classrooms would be a better choice.  But I digress...

Since I decided we would be moving in the near future to another country I knew it would be up to me teach Nicholas about our history, it will be up to me to make sure that he can still come back if he chooses and function as an American and not wonder who the heck is this George Washington and what was so special about the 19th amendment to the Constitution.  But patriotism was not something I had thought of.  How do you teach patriotism for another country without being confusing or putting your child in a potentially dangerous position.  American's are not well liked outside the US, I know this.  And even though we may be tolerated up in Canada, where we will be heading, I know marching in with full blown American pride will not go over well.  So where do I find this balance without teaching shame for our country at the same time?  "Be proud to be American, but just don't tell anyone you are."  It's not sitting well.

The thought to just forget it and hope it will come to him on it's own when he is older has occurred.  However, that feels wrong, as if I am denying him something that his rightfully his.  On the other hand, he is so young, will he even care?

I know the way hispanics do it, it's simply taught in the home.  That's different, though.  Both parents usually come from that culture and they tend to live in neighbourhoods with other families like them so the kids can relate to each other in such a way.  We are going to be integrating into another family, into another culture all together.

I have no answers to any of my questions.  I don't even know where to begin.  Hopefully inspiration will come before it's too late.