With three little ones at home, my days are filled with packing lunches, racing from soccer fields to dance studios, wiping boogies, and teaching my kids right from wrong. Like most moms, I easily fall into the gentle rhythm of bedtime stories, prayers for tomorrow, and dreaming about summer. But as America prepares for her 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, I find myself pausing to ask: What kind of country are my kids growing up in? How can other millennial moms and I raise the next generation to know, love, and carry forward this nation’s promise?

This milestone is a real opportunity. America 250 invites us to help our children understand why this country is worth loving. Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s still the place where an ordinary family like ours can put down roots, raise kids, and believe tomorrow can be brighter. Woven from bold threads of liberty, resilience, and hope, America remains the greatest experiment in human freedom the world has ever known. The Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and the wisdom of the Constitution are the foundation that lets my kids grow up free, speak their minds, and chase whatever future they can dream. (RELATED: Bill Maher Says Artists Pulling Out Of ‘America 250’ Makes It Look Like Democrats ‘Don’t Really Love America’)

As a millennial mom from Florida, married to an immigrant, I’ve seen the American Dream up close. My husband came here from Paraguay when he was a little boy. With little more than determination and hope, his parents worked long days of honest labor and took no handouts. With grit, gratitude, and unwavering belief in this country’s promise, they gave him a chance at a better life. He has since built a beautiful future for our family. Watching him succeed reminds our children every day that real opportunity still exists when you put in the effort. His journey is not unique. He is one among millions of legal immigrants who have enriched our nation’s fabric with hard work and hope. In fact, Miami-Dade’s history reflects the American story of diversity, resilience, and innovation. It stands as a testament to the promise of a bright future built on shared values.

Yet too many in my generation grew up hearing more about America’s shortcomings than her strengths, and that trend continues. A Gallup poll shows that while overall American pride has slipped, only 41 percent of Gen Z adults say they are extremely or very proud to be American — far lower than millennials (58 percent) or older generations. Many young people now believe America requires “significant change” and view it as an unfair society.

When Founding Fathers are portrayed more as villains than visionaries, we risk raising up leaders who are disconnected from the founding principles of this country. According to the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only 13 percent of eighth-grade students are proficient in U.S. history, only 22 percent scored proficient in civics, and 40 percent scored below basic, a decline from 34 percent in 2018. Low civic knowledge is a real challenge because it correlates with lower voting, volunteering, and engagement. High-quality civic education focused on constitutional principles, government structures, and honest history is essential to reversing this.

Florida is leading the way with events, lessons, and initiatives that emphasize real history, civic pride, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Groups like Moms for Liberty, partnering with Freedom 250, are giving parents practical tools to get involved so families help shape what our kids learn. We can teach our children to appreciate the good alongside the challenges and to feel proud without pretending we’re flawless. It starts at our own kitchen tables: reading the Declaration together, sharing family stories, visiting historic sites, and showing them that in America hard work and big dreams still matter.

Let’s use this 250th birthday to pass on a love for this country that feels honest and worth holding onto. As millennial moms, we have the power to raise the next generation of proud, informed Americans one bedtime story and one kitchen-table conversation at a time.