“Some kids on my bus got in an argument about the election. Who are we voting for?”
My 11yo asked this question, after her questions about baking cookies and time travel.
Really? Do middle school age students not have enough to deal with, what with angst and puberty, that they need to worry about the GOP’s stance on the economic situation?
“I’m voting for Obama, but that doesn’t mean your dad is, each person makes their own choice,” I told her, not telling her that I would “make the choice” to suffocate Pete in his sleep if he actually voted for Romney.
“Why?”
SIGH
How do you explain to 11yo? I have friends that are political bloggers, this is what they live for. But I generally try to keep my politics off here.
I was asked by a group I respect to blog my choice, but it just didn’t feel REAL. It felt like I would be posting something just for them. I don’t do that.
Then my daughter brought it home. She made it real.
We talked about how much I loved babies. Seeing them, holding them, smooching on them. But that I felt it was a RIGHT of every woman (that she would someday be) to have a baby, or not, on her terms. It wasn’t a man in a suit, making a choice about her body.
We talked about how for the first time in several years I’d started to not worry about her Dad’s job or ability to find another if something happened.
We talked about me being in a wheelchair and something called Medicare that took care of her Grandma and Grandpa but would be all gone when I was their age, meaning it would her job to pay all my bills and I liked my pedicures.
She raised her brow at me at that and grinned.
It was quiet for a minute.
We had talked about A LOT of things.
She was marinating in deep thought.
Suddenly she looked up as me. and I could tell what I had said would leave a profound stamp on her mind.
“Can we have baked potatoes tonight?”
I caught my FOUR YEAR-OLD talking politics. She thinks Mitt Romney should win, because Obama has already had a turn at being president for like, her whole life!, and it’s time for someone else to have a turn. Can’t argue with that logic.
Politics is hard, yo. I prefer your daughter’s idea. Ha! XO
To all of Anissa’s followers: Anissa is TOTALLY CLUELESS about politics. DO NOT vote for Obama. She does not know anything about or understand our constitution as does about 50% or more of our population.
Please note that I greatly LOVE my daughter and would do anything for her. We just cannot talk about politics and religion, as she has told you many times.
Good thing you raised an independent, free thinking, spirited woman. Kudos to you dad.
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How did I know you leave a comment on this post, Dad? I love you too.
I think your daughter and I hold the same position about baked potatoes.
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