Are your kids aware of the election?

re: Are your kids aware of the election?

Yvonne — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:05:38 GMT

My 2 year old really surprised me the other day by saying "Obama". When Obama came on the screen, he looked at him and said "Obama". His father and I watch a lot of coverage on the election, and talk about in front of him. I guess they really do pick up on everything. I have taken him to vote with me, and I really like Maureen's idea of making a ballot for him. He likes to do the same things we are doing.

re: Are your kids aware of the election?

leahsmom — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:48:12 GMT

I think my kid is aware of the election just because she is aware that mommy has turned into a cranky person lately. . .

re: Are your kids aware of the election?

Kate — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:47:36 GMT

I know that when I was in elementary school, we had sample ballots to fill out during class. We were allowed to take them to the polls with our parents, so we could "vote" too. I guess there was a box or something set up at the polls for us to drop our ballot into. I remember really enjoying having a chance to cast my vote after learning about the different candidates, and being pretty upset that my vote wouldn't count.

re: Are your kids aware of the election?

Maureen — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:39:33 GMT

My kids (3 and 5) are aware of the election, but don't really understand. Every time they hear the name Obama or McCain announced on the radio, they ask, "who won mommy?". We try not to to talk badly about a certain party in front of them, but I'm sure they catch some of it. I have taken them to the polls every time I've voted (and I vote in every election). I usually make them their own ballots, which they mark off while I'm doing my thing. They think it's cool. Hello Kitty and the Blue Power Ranger made it through the primaries.

The first election I have a memory of was Reagan vs. Carter when I was in 1st grade.

re: Are your kids aware of the election?

sumoo — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:45:59 GMT

MY 2 year old, on the other hand, laughed and pointed at the screen (when baby Trig appeared) and danced, danced danced thoughout the broadcast the other night. I told her I would let it slide this time.

re: Are your kids aware of the election?

BBBGMOM — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:07:33 GMT

My second grader, about an hour ago, said, "We like Obama, right?" I said, "Well, dad and I plan to vote for him, but you may decide for yourself." I grew up in a bipartisan home so I know what it's like to have political "discussions"... so many of our neighbors and friends are Obamaphiles that I worry that my children will just feel it's the default position. Though it's eleven years until my second grader can vote so I suspect he'll be better informed about it all by then!

re: Are your kids aware of the election?

lovedannygansle — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:22:07 GMT

Yes. We've been involved in the campaign, have the sign in the yard, bumper sticker, hosted parties for Obama supporters. Would have been hard for them not to notice.

I've had to censor my son a bit - he asked an adult who they were voting for. At six and a half, he understands the basics. My four-year-old seems to like saying "Obama!". I'm pretty sure my two-year-old has no comment on the issue at all.

Just need to work on election-season social skills for the oldest...

re: Are your kids aware of the election?

carfree childhood — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:51:21 GMT

My seven year old knows about the election and is an Obama supporter mainly because he knows Obama has daughters about his age.

In 1976 I was six and a Carter support mainly because Amy Carter was about my age.

re: Are your kids aware of the election?

IAinND — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:59:59 GMT

My oldest (6) is -- we've taken him with us each time to vote, and he was with us when we went to our caucus as well. He also has been discussing it with his classmates, and some of the older boys have given him flack for saying he likes Obama (we're in a pretty Republican area), but of course it's all based on what they're hearing their parents say. He did ask me one night why I was voting for Obama, and I gave him my reasons.

I HAVE made it a big point to tell him 1) people can still be friends even if they don't want to vote for the same person and 2) we don't go around booing or saying mean things about the other candidate.

We'll see what happens next week when his VERY conservative and politically active grandparents come to visit....

re: Are your kids aware of the election?

Cassie — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:45:34 GMT

Yes, but they are too little to understand really. Check this out. Maybe the articles will enlighten them?