We have been reading picture books about America, the flag, there are even a few on voting. We have tried to impress on him that today is an important day.
I'm blessed that not only are we walking distance from our local library, but also, the local elementary school is our voting location(walking distance as well). So I bribed my son that if he would behave while I voted, we could walk to the library and he can have as many books as he would like. He was very well behaved and even seemed quite interested in the whole process (yay!). We walked into the library, carrying all of our patriotic books and he says in the loudest voice I think he's ever used rolleyes "I VOTED TODAY".
He then proceeds to walk around the library checking to see if people were wearing their stickers. If not he would ask, "you voted today???" He made many friends today at the library, and I dare say that he may have even encouraged someone to get out and vote. I am a proud mommy. lol
"You voted today????"
[question posted by makingpots]responses and comments:
Awwwwwww........ wubhappy That is really cute! :) You have obviously raised him right! :) Congratulations! :) Thanks for sharing this wonderful story with us! :) Happy voting and Happy myLotting! :) [EAStanley]
What a very nice thing to say. I sure try my best. blush... but believe me when I say, there are about 20 people from a grocery store where he had a meltdown last week who might not say the same. rolleyes [makingpots]
Congratulations - you've made a good start at creating a good American citizen!...and Yes, I have voted today! [newtondak]
Well making, seems maybe there was a reason for the name you gave him then huh? One never knows though till the future arrives. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~ [webeishere]
A future politician you have there maybe. happy Such a sweet and cute story, I loved it. I voted right when the polls opened. Well after they opened as there was about 400 to 500 people in line at 7 a.m. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~ [webeishere]
Makingpots would have had to excuse herself to the restroom for a tissue after that one. blush [makingpots]
That is so cute! It would be have good to have had a video camera (not practical I know) because it would win something for sure on America's Funniest Home Videos. I bet he shamed some people into going to vote! Yes, I voted, but I didn't have such a treat along with me. : ) [AmbiePam]
happy You know, I sometimes wish I didn't even have a camcorder because it is never available when it would be great to have it. [makingpots]
i bet he'a cutie. i have a 4 year old grandson that i think is. don't teell your son but i didn't vote. have a good one & u should be proud of him. children are wonderful. [ANTIQUELADY]
I won't tell him, ANTIQUELADY. happy [makingpots]
Yes I did....and was lucky there were not big lines....but right after I got done a bunch of people were coming in...I didn't have to wait at all...but I have a feeling this evening would be a nightmare with long lines. [jillhill]
Yes, I remember my corporate America days when I worked downtown and it would have taken too long to drive to my precinct and get back to work. I waited and voted after work waiting in nightmare lines. I swore I would early vote next time, but I had moved on from that job four years later. for voting. [makingpots]
Good for him. He is certainly on the right track and you have every reason to be proud of him. [whiteheather39]
Oh, thanks, whiteheather. If you have about 3 hours I could mention another thing or two I am proud of about him. w00t [makingpots]
LOL I took my son voting today. We go in the curtains and he says "It reminds me of a porta potty" and he kept talking about it. OMG I thought they were going to open the curtain and kick me out! LOL [sedel1027]
w00tThat's hilarious! [makingpots]
I can see this happening. LOL!!! Did he shake everyone's hand as he asked them? Tell them his name? Yes I voted today. Stuck my voters reg. card in my pocket as I went for my morning run. Got a big laugh at how many of us were there breathing heavy in our running duds. [pajamamama]
happy Of course. Heehee, my little polititian. I haven't had a morning run since a recent trip to a beach. Green with envy. [makingpots]
Hi Pot thats really nice day and sure must be memorable too u see thats why i say that Mothers are One who can build natuion and set their diection, I am sure the message he learnt today , will not forget ever, and he will go to Vote.happy as with ur vote u can try to choose right person for ur welfare and ur country, Dont Waste it by not usin it Keep it up and i am sure Must me Memorable day in ur Life, as its historical day for USA as well as for u and ur son Take care [cupid74]
Take Care and Enjoy [cupid74]
Oh that really was special to hear. My daughter 3 years old knows Barack Obama's name and that he's running for president but I am working on really trying to help her understand. I think I might of confused her a little too because for Halloween I was Hillary Clinton and had to challengingly explain she was running for president and that now I want Obama to be the president. Phew. But I am as excited as ever to make sure she knows the importance of this monumental day. [revellanotvanella]
Phew, you are a braver woman than me! I didn't even try to discuss the candidates with my son. I stuck to the whole American theme, which was just an extention of stuff he is familiar with.... ha, the child can sing the National Anthem better than some adults. lol Do you have pictures of you Hillary costume. Put them on your profile, maybe?? :) [makingpots]
i dont vote today.because i am in Pacific Ocean's other shore ,china.but i know you are voting your president .and i know that obama is winning,the first black man president ,the significance is profound,the means the black man in usa is equal with the white man ,there is no racial discrimination.cheer up........ [wujinbo]
It is a very significant day for the USA. [makingpots]
So you guys are the ones to thank for for Obama's big win, yes? Kudos! [lizavm]
cute, good for you and him to make him politcally aware. we are so lucky that we live in a democracy when so many do not. we are in canada and we had our federal election in early october and both of our daughters were very aware of what was going on and went to vote with us and were curious who we voted for after the election. [cher913]
That's great, Cher913. It is quite fun getting children involved isn't it? I hope your candidate won. happy [makingpots]
That shows that enthusiasm is infectious. if you are enthusiastic, you can infuse enthusiasm in others, but if yo are complacent, others take things for granted. Your son's enthusiasm stems form your own enthusiasm. I am glad he loved the experience of the voting day. i am sure his enthusiasm likewise woudl have enthused others to vote too. [mercuryman3a]
Hi, mercuryman3a. Thanks for this kind response. [makingpots]
thats cute. my step daughter and i watched the election coverage. seems that somewhere she had had one of the candidates pushed on her and i was rooting for the opposite so it was a fun night. she was very happy this morning when she found out that her guy won, even though she didnt know why she wanted him to win. lol anything to get them involved! [lovinlifemindless]
I agree, sometimes it really is about anything to get them involved. [makingpots]
Hello makingpots. The little boy of yours is really interesting and cool. I guess that he will be very interested in politics when he grows up. He is a great little boy to have encouraged someone to get out to vote. happy Good day to you, friend. [williamjisir]
Such kind words, williamjisir, thank you very much. Good day to you, my friend. [makingpots]
I have seem several stories about kids going with their parents to the voting booths. I think it is a wonderful way to expose them to the wonderful process of selecting our leaders. Nice job. [jillmalitz]
Thank you. It was exciting for me to share it with him. [makingpots]
That is cute. My son came home from school the other day and said they had a mock election in his classroom and Obama had won in his class. [lilybug]
Hi, lilybug. Isn't that interesting. I heard somewhere that the kids mock elections are usually right. [makingpots]
You have all the right to be a very proud mama today. With Obama, you little one also has made history, a page you will never forget in your life. A big hug to him from me. Keep bringing him up the right way, and leave the rest to God. amen. [ketybhagat]
Hi, ketybhagat. I'll glad deliver that hug for you. And I'll do my best to not only bring him up right but leave the rest up to God. [makingpots]
Cute. Who knows one day he may really understand the significance of his actions. Besides even though he is only four, I think there are people that would have actually put-off voting that just needed something like that message given from your son, that may encourage them to vote. Way to go! [mrghill]
Thanks, mrghill. It's a nice mommy feeling to think that he might have positively influenced someone. happy [makingpots]
LOL He is so cute! I guess children don't have a sense what a political activity is. My son just listens to a tune of a political party song and just hymns and signs to it. He does it without realising the political implications behind it. © ronaldinu 2008 [ronaldinu]
happy Hi, ronaldinu. [makingpots]
I think that is such a great story! What is even better is that this was a historical election and he can't recount that story years to come that he helped you vote for the Nation's first Black President. Ofcourse, once you go black you never go back, so there will be many more black presidents to come! LOL [lovelyladydancing]
Lol I do love that this was such an historical election for him to remember. [makingpots]
Hahaha...that's so cute! Children sure do and say the darnedest things when they're young. Well, when I was young, I used to speak with a British accent. I would call my dad Dotty instead of daddy. My brother did some hilarious things when he was little. When those disgusting Harry Potter jelly beans first came out, my brother would give the soap, dirt, and vomit flavored beans to my great grandmother to savor. She would say, "Eh? What's this? Hum? ...What's this?" and put the beans in her mouth. My 4 yr old brother would start giggling and watch her cheerful expression transform as she would say, "Ewww.....Ewww.... Ewww...What is this? Ewww..." I thought this was funny-because she still ate the beans. Poor grandma didn't want to refuse my brother's cruel offering....lol. [steflane]
Hi, Steflane. Pranking the great grandmother...... I think you brother will get some serious karma ill-effects frrom that one. lol [makingpots]
Just read this. Very sweet. You should be proud that your son seems to be turning out to be very inquisitive, and I love that you go to the library. Regards [ganderlot]
Thanks, ganderlot. We enjoy the library very much. [makingpots]