Welcome to "Hey, Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature where we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area.
Elections and the associated politics can be difficult for young minds to grasp. Still, it's hard to imagine last week's election went unnoticed by our country's young citizens and it's safe to bet they had some questions about the process.
That brings us to this week's question.
Did you discuss the election and how you voted with your children? Why or why not?
Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section.
Colleen Cantin Triana: I told my kindergartner because she asked (they were talking about it in class). She loved the fact that her Father and I voted for different candidates. I also took her with me to vote before school where she promptly announced to the room who exactly her Mom was voting for :) —on Frankfort Patch Facebook
Denise Roberts-Vander Velde: Yes I did. The reason I did was so they know I vote and how important it is. I also gave them reasons on why I was voting for this person. :) —on Mokena Patch Facebook
Sarah Rasul: I always get my kids involved. They need to recognize how important it is and how it effects us. I give them both sides of the argument, give them pros and cons, describe where we would personally be affected, and ask then what they think is best for us and what they think is best for everyone. I let them know who I voted for and why. They need to take ownership of this process and be excited of the prospect of getting others involved and educated and having a voice. —on Palos Patch Facebook
Jada D Bradford: It was hard for them to not know because we have been to rallies & pretty active in stuff. However, I NEVER made a negative comment about the other person running. I even shared with the kids positive things that he believes in. I want them to have their own views, opinions and allow them the opportunity to develop their own political ideas. —on Chicago Heights Patch Facebook
David Parry: Indeed, but I broke it down into terms he could easily understand - e.g. The Republicans are a bit like the Empire in Star Wars and the Democrats are like the Rebel Alliance. I have been working with him for years, you know with the normal parent things like attaching a picture of George Bush eating a kitten to the dart board and saying things like "you left a Romney floating ere mun" when he forgets to flush the toilet. ... I have given the boy a wide ranging historical and multicultural education in the evils of the right wing mindset with my yarns of Thatcher, Thatcher the milk snatcher nicking my afternoon milk when I were a nipper. Maybe for Christmas I will get him a subscription to 'Socialist Worker', a hammer and a sickle and rename him Peter Kropotkin. —on Homewood-Flossmoor Patch Facebook
Steve Grein: My daughter (13) and I got into some pretty good debates. As soon as she understood that she could speak her opinion without 'getting in trouble' they were pretty spirited. She wanted Obama and I am a Romney supporter, but I was so proud that she actually had intelligent reasons she wanted him re-elected. I didn't agree obviously, but I was very, very proud that she had a thought out opinion. My boys (11 and 9) sided with me, but they are still too young to really understand, but they understood it was important as we discussed it A LOT the last few weeks. I brought all 3 kids with me to vote on Tuesday! —on Tinley Park Patch Facebook
Marilyn Wagner: My 7-year-old grandson came home from school telling me that I had to vote for Obama because he learned at school that Mitt Romney was going to cancel Big Bird. Try to overcome those left wing liberal propaganda with a 7-year-old. That's Union and Liberal tactics for you. Scare the seniors with SS and scare little kids. Will never vote for another Democrat or another Teacher raise again. —on Tinley Park Patch Facebook
Nabeha Bages-Zegar: Yes, I did. They were with me when I voted and whoever was in earshot knew who I voted for because my 7 year old announced it as I made my choices. Delightful. They knew anyway since we talk openly about politics in my house. —on Orland Park Patch Facebook
Bob Shaw: I think its ok to tell your child who you voted for as long as you let them also know its not a popularity contest and to use the elections as a lesson in thinking for oneself and to not rely on television or popular opinion to influence who you chose. —on Oak Forest Patch Facebook
April Weber: Nope! I don't even tell my husband! It's my vote! :) —on Oak Forest Patch Facebook
Courtney O'Leary: Yep. Told them who we voted for and our reasons why. It led to some really good discussion. :) —on Oak Forest Patch Facebook
