I remember, eight years ago, waiting and watching for the results of the presidential election with Violet, eight months old, snuggly sleeping in the next room. I remember cheering (albeit quietly as to not wake the baby!), and crying a bit too, when they announced Barack Obama as the winner!
A moment in history, one so important and momentous to so many Americans, but with the new addition to our family that year it seemed even more so. Knowing that our children would grow up for the first part of their lives knowing that anyone could be President regardless of their race!
And now, eight years later...they may know that anyone can be President regardless of their race or gender!
Over the course of the past year there has been a lot of election talk in our house, as I'm sure (and hope) is the case in many many households across America (and across the world in fact). It's not been a pretty election...but it has been a noteworthy one with plenty to talk about and plenty of "lessons" to discuss within our family. There have been loads of questions. Explanation upon explanation of how it all works from Democrats to Republicans to primaries and more and it's been neat to see the kid's interest pique on politics. It's been an amazing learning experience for us all.
They excitedly accompanied us to cast our ballots in the primaries and are eager to do the same this coming Tuesday. This election has had some, let's just say..."less than stellar moments" but despite that, or perhaps because of it, it's brought the need for each of us to get out and vote even more to the forefront. Which, is a great lesson to us all...get out and make your voices heard! Inform and educate yourselves. Make a difference. Vote.
These are all important notions and values we are talking about in our home. Vote. An important lesson to teach from the beginning.
The other day Violet came home with a Scholastic News magazine from school, one which shared a link to an online kids presidential election. She was too late to vote but went to the website anyway and read. She informed and educated herself about the candidates and then came to me to discuss what she learned.
(Here's the link if you are interested!)
Voting is important, but making an informed decision is too and the kids, with all of their questions, are learning that to be true.
I'm looking forward to continuing this and these discussions with the kids in the coming months, years...I'm excited to have them accompany me to the polls on Tuesday.
I'm anxiously awaiting another history making moment!
Because these guys are future voters...they are the future! VOTE!
Notes on "Election Wear"...
shirt pattern used: Flashback skinny tee from Made by Rae; pants pattern used: Wild and Free Lounge pants, pants fabric from Joann; shirt fabric laguna knit from Imagine Gnats
And, if you want to make your own shirts...easy peasy! Download: "the FUTURE VOTE" file
print onto Dark t-shirt Transfer Paper (found at any office supply store or Target...) iron on to a tee and your littles are ready to get out there to spread the message!
Happy Weekend to you!
