Civics Lesson

The flags of the countries represented at Freddie's school, 81 different countries.

I took the boys to vote, again, this year.  They love going into the school building when school's not in session as though they are somehow getting away with something, breaking the rules.

"I Voted"

The boys participated in an "election" at the library, voting for a the #1 Sesame Street character so their frame of reference is expanding somewhat.  My explanation continues to be that we are trying to pick a person who we feel will do the best job working for our neighborhood.

The view the kids have from the cafeteria at school

This year I've added to the discussion the idea of varied governments around the world and how not everyone gets a say in who their leaders are.  Living in such a global society makes this a bit more tangible, being able to talk about friends from countries where they might not have the privilege (responsibility) to vote.

Hansie always is curious about the "taxi cow" we can see from outside the building
so he HAD to have a photo with it today from inside the building!

I'm thankful for my right to vote.  I'm also thankful for the poll workers who were ever so patient with the boys helping to explain each step of the process from finding my name in the poll book to how to fill out the ballot.  The boys got to submit our ballot into the machine, and were quite proud to get their "I Voted" sticker.  

Vote!

We went as a family this morning to vote.  It took some extra wrangling to get everyone bundled up and on our way before school and work, but it was worth the extra effort to have Freddie along.  We talked about democracy, the job of a president, and our responsibility to pick the person we felt represented our values. 

 
Voting in New York City among a diverse group of citizens is a reminder as jaded as I may become about politics in the United States I have rights many will never know.

And for the record, it was my first time using a paper ballot, and as someone with a post graduate degree I found it very confusing.  The fact that I needed to use the magnifying glass provided compounded the issue!