Today was voting day. As voting takes place in school
cafeterias, there was no school. This is not news to anyone, but it only really
becomes relevant when the hard truth hits parents. If they want to vote, they
have to bring their kids with them. Hmmm…
When my kids were younger, this proved very interesting. It’s
hard to focus on shopping in Target with two little kids running crazy, much
less on a political ballot. This year, however, the scene looked distinctly
different.
When we left the house, I took advantage of the car ride to
explain the concept of voting. I explained that we have people in offices that
make decisions for us, and that we have the chance to say who we think should
have that job. I explained that not everybody agrees on what a good decision looks
like, so we have choices on who we think is best for the job.
I illustrated the point by talking about breakfast foods. I
figured that a simple, concrete example would be best. We talked about how my
kids had chosen different breakfasts this morning. My son wanted waffle with
peanut butter and my daughter wanted French toast. (As they both come from
frozen, there’s no harm in making two breakfasts, even on a busy morning.) I
explained that a “vote” was unnecessary, as I was willing to make two different
choices. What if, however, I were not willing? What if one person got to choose
what everyone had for breakfast? Who would be a good person to make such a
choice? Would it be the person who is nicest? The one who is really good at
listening? The one who knows what everyone likes, so they can pick the choice
that is most represented? How would they choose?
They asked me some good questions and then we entered the
polling place. I told the kids that I needed to be able to think, so that I
could do a good job. They nodded earnestly. It was pretty adorable. I asked
them to sit down next to my voting booth and they complied instantly, waiting
quietly for me. The lady working the table was totally impressed. (I was a little stunned myself, to be totally honest.)
When I was done, about to leave, we ran into a neighbor and
friend. We don’t get to see her very often, so we stopped to chat for a moment
before she went to work. We both enjoyed it, and I realized that I had another
lesson to teach my children about voting. This neighbor/friend and I do not agree on politics.
Sometimes we talk about current issues, to see what the other side believes,
but our conversations rarely convert the other. At the end, we agree to
disagree and move on happily. And so, I
asked my children to listen one more time and I began to talk about …well... food.
I reminded them that Daddy likes mustard, but that he likes
the spicy kind, while mommy likes the regular yellow mustard. They (the kids)
don’t like mustard at all. My daughter despises tuna fish, while my son adores
it. My daughter loves potatoes, while my son cringes at the idea of eating them.
My point? Simply because a person disagrees with us does not make them less
intelligent or wrong. They simply disagree. Oh, and we can still like them.
Heck, we may even love them.
My kids nodded earnestly. They got it. Really got it. Ok, no…
they don’t get it to the level that an older child or adult gets it, but they
got the basic idea. They understood that opinions are huge. They are part of
what makes a person valuable, and our diversity is what makes us interesting.
I love that they got it. I’m so proud.
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