Monday, May 2, 2011

Teaching Kids to Vote

It is Election Day in Canada. Being privileged to live in a country that allows every person to have a voice demands you stand up and mark your 'X' (in Canada we still do it that way; pencil..ballot..'X'..into the box) Voting is how we express our gratitude for the privilege of living in a free country. If you question if this is true...ask a veteran their opinion.

We have conversations in our home about the duty of voting, we've taken the kids with us to the polling stations.  We are, afterall, raising the next generation of voters. There is importance in leading by example.

Fortunately, among many of the families we know this seems to be a common practice. It would appear that the future is in good hands. Good hands provided that this next generation understands the weight of their vote. How do you teach that their vote is their 'choice'?

You give them choices, you let them practice. You give them an array of options making sure they understand the possible outcome of each choice. There are plenty of opportunities to do this.

Tonight's example.... brought to you by E-man....

Here is our voter, contemplating the choices;

Homework or No Homework

He has two options
  • come in... get the homework done and the rest of the week is his to enjoy out of doors and with his friends
  • Ignore my suggestion and spend the rest of his week answering the door and telling his friends why he can't come out to play.
Polls are open for 45 seconds. (in fairness he had advance poll voting opportunities)

Evidently, we're doing an adequate job of teaching the ins an outs of democracy. While he may have marked his 'X' for the 'not so right' choice he has learned at least, that his vote also allows him the privilege of complaining about the outcome. Something he'll be doing a great deal of over the next 5 days.


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


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