Time for Change
Nov 4th, 2008 by keegan
Today is voting day, and I’m taking my children with me. It means waiting until 5:30, and it means lines around the block, and it means entertaining my 6 and 4 year old in the dark with stories and left over Halloween candy. But it’s worth it. They are as excited to vote as I am; I have had to explain to them a thousand times why they have to wait until they are eighteen to vote themselves (at which point my 4 year old counts from 1 to 18, and whines that he will never get that old!).
I am taking the children with me to vote, not only because they too want to vote, but also because it sets an important example for the them: DO.
It is easy to take them to the elementary school across the street and let them watch me pick my presidential candidate. But this happens only once every four years. They grow up a lot in four years. What can I do to instill the DO between presidential elections?
Well, there are other elections. I could bring them with me to vote for state senators, mayors, and city councilors. Better yet, I could take them with me to rallies, to council meetings, school committee and PTO meetings, to wherever we can actually see the people we’re voting for in action, meet them, learn about what they’re doing, and how we can be involved. Doing. I’ll admit it, I’m not good at Doing. I have mountain of laundry to fold, for God’s sake. But, you know, having children has inspired me to be more involved. And, it seems I am forever looking for activities to entertain the children… Entertainment with a purpose. Hmmm.
I often think about Doing something. But I plan Doing during a time when the children are otherwise occupied. I’ll go to a meeting when they are my husband is home with them, or I’ll (think about) write letters after they have gone to bed. But I’m not teaching them anything about civic responsibility, about Doing, that way.
Today is voting day. My chosen presidential candidate has inspired me, not only about hope for a brighter America, but to engage in that hope, and engage my children. I’ll start by taking them with me into my booth with me this evening. Then, providing my candidate wins and we don’t move to Canada, I will start Doing with the children more often than once every four years. It’s time for change.
Here are some ideas for Doing, with our without your children:
City of Cambridge calendar of meetings
City of Somerville calendar of meetings
Cambridge Public School Committee meeting calendar and agenda
Somerville Public School Committee meeting calendar and agenda
Choose a local environmental organization to work with
More ideas? Please share.
I am going to try to sit down with my 6 year old and watch the McCain concession speech and Obama’s speech. I think it will be interesting to hear his thoughts and an opportunity to talk a bit more about race and the significance of this election. I also think it can be a lesson about the importance of multiple candidates in the process and how even if one loses they play a strong part in evolution of thought on the issues and the growth the country. Any opportunity to expose my losing adverse son to good thing.