This is something I've struggled with in my household. I have a hard time not referring to McCain as "that crazy-ass, racist warmonger." I try to be sensitive to the way I talk about issues because I know how influential I—as a mother—am. I try to present both sides fairly (despite how much I rant here). In fact, I am one of those parents who made a conscious choice not to slap a political onesie or t-shirt and on my kids and bring them to a protest, march or rally with me. Something about them not having a choice in the matter felt wrong to me, especially when they were tiny babes. (Though I will happily cart them around in a bike trailer and car that sport Edwards 08 stickers. So gofigyer. It's complicated.)
I hope we are raising them to share our values (and if they turn out to be Republicans I admit, I will be disappointed), but in the end, the decision on whom they will support for president when they are old enough to vote is theirs. We talk a lot about who is on the red team and who is on the blue and how close the "score" is. They are 3 and 5 so this seems age-appropriate. Bunny has decided that she is for both Hillary and Barack because "they both are on the blue team," while Wallie says she is "voting for Obama." I nod and smile and up until now haven't said a whole lot, which is why I am happy to have stumbled across Shannon's post. Great tips there.
Go read it.
I completely agree with you not dressing them up in political gear. We have tried to do the same with Isaac (although, as Jaelithe already posted, he has endorsed Obama).
As for turning out Republican, it depends on what the parties stand for in twenty years. After all, forty years ago or so, the Democrats were the war party that had a questionable civil rights policy.
Posted by: John J. | April 01, 2008 at 05:29 AM
I do let my kids know my opinions, and why I have them. And clearly I give them space to form their own, if the day-to-day is any indication. :)
Posted by: Julie Pippert | April 01, 2008 at 10:34 AM