Something historic happened last night, and no, I'm not talking about the results of the election. It does, however, have something to do with how it all played out last night for me. It was my oldest daughters first experience with voting. And from all accounts at least, it was not a horrible experience for her. For me, it was kind of fun. She is away at college so she did an absentee ballot. I was going to send it in for her so sealed it so that it was private (as it should be). She told me that if she didn't know who the people were or what they stood for, she didn't bother to fill out that part of the ballot. I respect that as I believe voters should be informed. But that was all prior to last night. Last night, I spent a fair bit of time texting with her while the election played out. I was keeping her up to date on results as she didn't always have the tv on. I answered some questions she had during the results and I congratulated her on being a part of the process, regardless of if I knew who she voted for or if her person won or lost (even though I really do know her choice). And here's why...
From the time she was very little, I took her with me to vote. I explained to her why it was so important to me and why it always would be. I had her see first hand the old fashioned booths we had and how the process worked. She's also always been very well aware of what side of the issues I stand. I clearly remember that when voting in one particular election, my ex-husband and I took both girls to vote. She went in the booth with her Dad and my youngest with me. She came out and while walking to the parking lot, she came up and whispered to me "Dad cancelled out your vote". She clearly knew he and I were on different sides. But I told her that was ok, at least we both did what we believed. It was my way of letting her know that just because I knew he would cancel out my vote, it wouldn't ever stop me from participating.
As she grew older and she still knew where I stood on issues, she asked me "what does the other side believe". That was my moment of truth. It was a clear moment for me to decide what type of girls I wanted to raise when it came to these types of things. Did I just want to trash the other side and make it sound all bad because they believe differently than I do? Or did I want to be the kind of mother that factually told the difference on the issues and have daughters that would grow to be independent, strong woman that could think for themselves and not just do as they were told. Anyone who knows me, can probably already answer that question with no trouble at all. In my opinion, I chose very wisely.
My kids hear very different things from the people in their lives on what they "should" believe on certain issues. But one thing I'm very sure of is that they make up their own mind. Sometimes they silently sit back and listen and just shake their heads at some of the things they hear. Other times they very freely speak their minds (guess that depends on how strongly they feel and how well they pick their battles). I've even fielded the questions on "how do you even know who you like when you're first starting". I told them that it could change over time as certain topics become important to them. They needed to think of the issues and which ones were most important to them and then learn where a person stands on those things. Later in life when more things become important to them, they'll continue on in that process. I'm thrilled that they both know they can ask me these things and know that I'll present information to them in such a way as to allow them to make up their own minds, not just tell them "vote this way". They are not "sound bite" people at all. Inquiring minds is a very good thing.
Having said all of this, don't get me wrong. It's not like there are lots of political talks on a regular basis. She hates "politics" (meaning the mean, nasty say what people want to hear and lie about everything else type of things). But she cares a lot about the outcome.
I'm not sure if anyone else watches a show called Last Man Standing (Tim Allen's show). It started again for the season last week (you could catch it on Hulu) and the first episode was titled "Voting". It was all about the family that was split between the two candidates and how they were trying to "get" the newest voter on each of the sides. It used real things from this election, names and everything, but the point at the end was well worth watching and brings my point into play perfectly. It would be a great tool to use for those that have new or near new voters, regardless of which side you're on. If you choose to watch, enjoy and be glad for your ability to choose in your own way to participate in the process.
