Representing the Youth of America

So it's Primary Day here in good old Indianer.  A day to either speak up and be counted, or sit down and stop complaining in terms of which valiant leaders we'd like controlling our political offices. 

I remember the last time we had a presidential election, KJ was just a toddler so he and I made the trip to the polls together.  I signed in and headed over to the little booth, baby propped on hip, and the moment I cast my vote for president, he let out a well timed, terribly disappointed, "Awwww."  The whole room cracked up.  I need not tell you who I voted for.  Heh.

Today I decided to wait for him to get out of school so that I could take both boys with me to the voting poll and teach an important lesson about being American. 

On our way there, I explained how the process works and how, person by person, state by state, we decide who we would like to see run for office.  I very briefly explained who the candidates were, starting by saying which one was a man, and which a woman. 

That was all my five year old needed to hear, of course, because isn't that how five year olds (and some thirty-five and fifty year olds) always choose sides?  By gender?

Mommy or Daddy?  Daddy.

Blue lunch plate or pink?  Blue.

Girl video game character or boy?  Boy!

(You see why I need this daughter I am currently growing, yes?)

Within no time my son was chanting "OBAAA-MA! OBAAA-MA! OBAAA-MA!" as we drove down the street, despite my most un-biased efforts to discuss each candidate. 

After a few minutes he took a break from all the hootin' and hollerin' to inquire about Jack's opinion on this very special issue.  All three of us, after all, had to reach agreement since we would be sharing only one official vote. 

"Who do you want to win, Jack?" KJ asked.

"Wightning McQueen!" Jack responded, clearly pulling for some sort of independent candidate.

And so KJ did exactly what older brothers do, and told Jack he had it all wrong, and went on to teach Jack to chant right along with him for the candidate he liked the most.

It was fun to take the boys in with me, and to show them exactly how voting is done.  I read each box to KJ and directed which buttons should be pushed.  Then Jack had the exciting job of pushing the final button with the red flashing light, which made his two-year-old political experience complete.  It was really wonderful for me to see my kids take a small part in something so large (even if I do believe our political system as a whole is a little off its rocker, ahem,) and to make a point about being an active citizen.  Motherhood has definitely taught me to speak up for what I think is best, not only for the changes we need to make now, but for the effects they will have on my kids and grandkids as they grow up - in everything from education to caring for the Earth to politics.

Now to wait and see if we picked a winner.

Comments

[Frema]

How funny that I checked your post just seconds after posting my own thoughts on election day. Go, Hoosiers! :)

[Sadie]

I feel so left out-- I moved to a caucus state and didn't get to do a regular "vote." I certainly will in November, however.

Good for you for taking your kids! I can remember going with my mom to vote, and how I knew it was important because we waited hours and hours for our turn.

[Jenny]

Good for you!! I think it is fabulous to include them in voting. I distinctly remember being in the booth with my grandma all the time when she would go vote. It really does make a difference, I think.

And I LOVED Jack's candidate.

[Liza]

You're a great role model for them!

I remember voting with my Dad, at least through middle school. It always made me feel very special and important to get to vote.

Subsequently in my 20 years as a voter myself, I have only missed one election -- a local one in which I missed the registration deadline in the chaos of our move so that Jill could adopt Noah.

[Hilary]

Ka-chow.

[Rachel]

I remember going with my mom to vote when I was younger. During the Dukakis (sp) vs. Bush election, my school (4th grade at the time, I think) had a sort of mock election to teach us more about our right to vote.

I have voted in every Presidential election since I was 18 and most other, federal, state and local elections as well. I figure if I vote, I might change something. If you don't vote, shut up and sit down, you have no right to complain.

[SJ]

I'm with Jack "Wightning McQueen!" Haha, too funny....