Baby Squared

My 9 month old twins have Obama onesies.  I read your link and I see her point, but I will still dress my kids in their Obama onesies until they outgrow them.  I probably won't teach them to yell liberal slogans when they're old enough to talk, though.  I think there is a big difference between using them to display my beliefs and requiring them to share them.  If I were you, I'd bring Elsa and Clio with me because they will make it more fun and they will give the people you are talking to a sense of where you are coming from.  And the excuse of a cranky kid is ALWAYS good for escaping awkward situations.

I was actually just debating this.  I want to participate in Obama's neighbor 2 neighbor program (I live in a pretty conservative area of a swing state after living in Seattle-it's so strange!) and felt ease at having Charlie with me because he'd be such a great icebreaker...and who slams doors on toddlers?!  I think I'm going to go for it because of the logistical issues.  I really can't do it without him and I want Obama to win so badly that it hurts...I must act or I'll go crazy until Nov 4th.  It looks like Charlie gets to meet a few neighbors while strapped to my back!

good catch with that parenthetical

I don't know if what you are considering doing here constitutes "using them for Obama."  I mean, you said yourself that your intent is to have an icebreaker, to make people relate to you better, and to calm your own nerves somewhat.  While I think "indoctrinating" them would be a totally different issue, or making them say something as part of your spiel at the door, I'm really not sure that bringing them along (especially if it's a logistical issue) is that much different than, say, dressing casually, wearing lipstick, fixing your hair nicely, etc., or anything else you might do to make youreself feel more comfortable and seem more approachable, friendly, or otherwise presentable.

Honestly, I think this is one of those situations where you (and I) are probably overanalyzing.  Is it that different to put my kids in an Obama shirt than when I put them in shirts extolling the virtues of my alma mater? (like, ahem, today?) And as for the canvassing, it's just one of those things that the kids get to go on an outing with mommy, and have the added benefit of being a great icebreaker.  There are worse things, for sure.

Oh, and when are you going, I'll totally come with!  Except I'll be shameless and put them in the new "Baby got Barack" shirts my dad just sent us.  After all, it's the family heritage: grandpa just hit California to run the new SoCal for Obama office. :-)

My dad raised me a Democrat with a capital-D, had me stuffing envelopes for local campaigns.  But I never felt like my opinions were not my own.  I just happened to agree with my dad!

I think you should do it, girls in tow.

You're a mom. I don't think it's inappropriate to bring your children along for something you're doing. It's not like you're using your neighbor's twins. I might draw the line at putting them in T-shirts, but just bringing them? Totally OK. And who knows? One of them (or both) might find themselves addressing a future convention saying, "I was canvassing with my mother"--the camera will then pan to you, wiping away a tear--"for Obama before I was even two years old!"

I think it's important for kids to see their parents participating in the political process, regardless of the parents' party/candidate preference.  I also think that taking your daughters canvassing with you is akin to taking them to the polls with you when you vote.

Your children are going to use you for all kinds of things when they are older, use them now while you can. Plus, whatever you do, one day they are going to disagree and rebel against some of your beliefs, now's your chance to at least express them. But seriously, showing them what's important to you and what you believe in makes total sense to me. I don't think it's using them as much as bringing them along while you do something important to you... just like someone would bring their children to church, or have them come along to a volunteer activity. And if they want to start yelling "McCain, McCain"... well, that's their right.

Of course, I'm not unbiased myself:

sarahandjordanll.blogspot.com/.../vote.html

I think if the girls were say 10 or so, or whatever age it is to really understand what you would be doing in NH, then I think it would require more thought about "using" your kids.  But at 20 months...they will not understand what is going on...they won't feel any sense of being used or making a political statement...for them it's just an outing with mommy...and what's wrong with that?  If it makes you feel better...don't put them in any political garb...maybe Sandy Island T's...that's in NH after all ;-)

Oh...and I agree with Eva - they are going to use you for whatever they can get away with when they're teens...why not use them a little now ;-)

I agree with most folks here.  When kids are older, you should probably talk with them about what you're doing, and why you're doing it.  But when they're so young, they just gotta go where you go.  We've been struggling with bringing our 9 month old along when we canvass or make phone calls, but not because we're worried about using him.  We fret because he slows us down, is loud, and wants to grab the phone while I'm trying to cajole an undecided to vote Dem.  But he's also the reason WHY we're doing this.  I want my kid to have a home that is not foreclosed on, moms with health insurance, and clean air to breathe.  

My siblings and I were regularly included in my moms' political efforts--most notably when my mom brought my youngest sibling (then 2) to our mock school election wearing a "Luke for Duke" (Dukakis, of course) sandwich board.  It was quite the hit.  I don't think any of use felt used.  We were (and still are) proud of our parents, and while we don't agree on every issue, most of us are politically engaged and justice-minded citizens.

Do it.  Of course they won't remember it this time, but in 4 or 8 years when they're old enough to remember it, make sure the message is to stand up for what you believe in.  You'll be teaching them values, not politics.

I think you're awesome for doing the canvassing at all as a mommy of twins with very limited free time.  And I agree with others that it's important that they see you participating in the political process.  Wishing you luck!

I've been pondering over this as well... Well, it must be said that I'm Canadian so I don't get to participate actively in this election, but still, it does not make me any less interested. Reading your post and the comments has finally decided me to order that cute Obama t-shirt online...

I completely agree with all the other commenters saying that you should definitely do it. And congrats on getting involved, that's great!

And I suppose that's a completely different story but I can't really see your girls growing up with anything else than liberal values... How could they?

Bring them!  

I would get those Grandma pins made with pictures of them and wear the pins instead.  That way people will get that you are a mom with 2 little kids.

My kid would have no patience for this kind of thing!

A word from the Canadian who would be voting for Obama if she could: I don't like the plan of bringing the girls along. We used to get visits from people pushing religion, and they'd show up with an armload of their offspring and it always pissed me off. I'm not a huge fan of going door-to-door anyway, I agree it's a privacy invasion. But it's a lot less invasive if you are there as one person and not a whole family!

I don't see a problem with working the kids into the conversation, but it creeps me out to use kids as walking billboards toward an end...

I've been also grappling with the same issue when we go to PA to Barack the Vote. Nola is 9 months old, and still nursing, so I can't leave her with family in NYC or CT to do this. Honestly, I didn't grapple so much with the politics of it, but more the practicality of it. How long can I last with her in the Ergo? What if she takes a dump? Etc.

I brought by then not quite 2 year-year old to the Obama rallies here in DE in the winter.  It made a huge impression on her and has led to some conversations (albeit very basic ones) about what she sees on the TV in stores, restaurants; on the cover of newspapers and magazines.  She knows the names and faces of both the current candidates as well as Hillary Clinton.  I did buy her an Obama button to wear around the house but I don't take her out in it because it makes me uncomfortable to think others are judging me (for using my child as propoganda - although I can't think of better propoganda).  

I just bought Obama tshirts for myself and Michael.  He doesn't know the difference and won't care for many years to come.  Besides which, as an African American child, it's great to have such an inspiring role model for him.

But here's one thing that did cross my mind--I plan to save at least Michael's tshirt.  I'm sure it will be a really interesting piece of memorabilia one day whether Obama wins or loses.  We're experiencing history folks!

I say do it!  If they will be up for the ride and won't fuss too much, why not?  My kids would not stay cooperate though so there is no way I would go for it.

We weren't really teaching our 3 year old about Obama or McCain but she just heard us talking about them in passing.  She said, "Who is Obama?" and we told her and then we started about "John McCain" and she cut us off and said, "Drama Queen??".  Uh... kinda!

I was pretty disgusted to see a politician setting up his little girl outside a voting place yelling at voters as they went in to "Vote for my daddy!"  I think that is tacky as all get out.  Personally since some people feel VERY strongly about political beliefs it might be a mistake to take your girls with you. You  might be cursed at by a very strong republican or just not be too nice to you in general.  Having your precious children with you may not keep this from happenning.  I do not think it is poite to knock on people's doors and disturb them for any reason other than their house is burning down, nor do I ever think it is acceptable to discuss politics in polite company. So just warning you, you might get told off in front of your girls. I have twins too and I would probably tell you off just because I am way too busy to deal with strangers knocking on my door.  Good luck though.

I say desperate times call for desperate measures. Do what you have to do.

They're going to end up drinking your Kool-aid anyway. At least until they rebel and figure out that the one thing that will make you the most crazy is to join the Young Repubs!

My 10-year-old wrote in her homework last week: "My mom doesn't think Sarah Palin should be John McCain's running mate. Sarah Palin has five kids and a newborn baby and a daughter who is having a baby. My mom wrote her column saying she should be VP instead."

I didn't even know she'd read my column last week!

roper: i'm thinking tina fey would have been a better choice.

get out there! and bring your kids! seriously damnit! LOL.