Search articles from thousands of Examiners
Write for us
Allentown Family and Parenting San Jose Parenting Examiner
San Jose Parenting Examiner

Teach Kids the significance of Labor Day

September 6, 5:41 PMSan Jose Parenting ExaminerJoyce Perrelli
Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe


Get alerts when there is a new article from the San Jose Parenting Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.
Email Address


  Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use

Labor Day
AP/Seth Perlman

On Monday, September 7, our nation celebrates Labor Day--a holiday honoring all American workers, present and past.  Typically spent around the grill with neighbors and friends, Labor Day has become the unofficial symbol of the end of summertime fun, as well as a last chance getaway for families with school-aged children.

Before heading out for a day of family fun, take a minute to let your kids know the significance of the holiday.  According to the Department of Labor, the first Labor Day was celebrated in 1882 in New York. Over the next few years, more and more states celebrated this "workingman's holiday" and, in 1894, Congress passed an act, signed by then President Grover Cleveland, decreeing it a national holiday celebrated on the first Monday of each September.  Although the holiday was originally associated with Labor Unions, it is now the celebration of all workers.

Although San Jose and other local banks, schools, post offices and the likes are closed on Labor Day, chances are that at some point during the day you'll encounter someone at work.  Turn this into a teaching opportunity and talk to your kids about the person's job--what are they doing, why are they doing it, do you think they like their job, what we do without this type of worker, why do they need to be at work on a "holiday", etc.  If you spend the day at home, take a minute to let your kids view the Bay Bridge construction project so that you have a fun discussion about American workers.   

And, most of all, enjoy yourself!  You deserve a day of family fun!

More About: parenting

Add a Comment

Name:


Comments:
characters left

NOTE: Do Not Alter These Fields:

Vancouver 2010
Get exclusive coverage from Examiners on the Winter Games in Vancouver.

Recent Articles

Friday, February 5, 2010
Living in Space, a new immersive exhibit at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, opens on Saturday, February 6 and runs through Sunday, …
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Encourage teens to “recycle” unneeded prom dresses and accessories by donating them to The Princess Project, a local non-profit …

Favorite Family Weekend Getaways (2-3 nights)