A conversation I had with my 7 year old yesterday.

[Tess]

This was spurred with the announcement by my 9 year old that they watched the friggin innauguration instead of working on math.  Anyway, he announces from the back seat in the car, "I don't like Obama.  I wish McCain would have won.  You don't like Obama mommy so I don't like Obama."  What I WANTED to say was "Yes"  But this is what I talked about instead:

I told him that since I didn't KNOW Mr. Obama (yes I could NOT bring myself to say president) then I couldn't say I didn't LIKE him.  But that rather I didn't like the policies that he wants to have now that he is president.  Now, you have to understand, my 7 year old is kind of your intellect.  He likes to discuss things.  LOL  Anyway I told him that Obama wants to take our money and give it to people that don't work at all.  I told him I didn't think that was right.  I think that people should have to EARN their money.  My kids are very aware of this since we own our businesses and work schedules are always a little different.  I also told him that Obama doesn't want to keep our country safe with our military and that McCain would with made sure we are safe with the military and the war against terror.

That was the basic part of what I told them both.  My 7 year old is uncanny with his perception.  He then reminded me that when the school voted for president (they did a mock election in Nov.) that Mr McCain got 374 votes and Obama only got 102.  And now you know why we live where we do.  LOL  No, seriously it was an interesting conversation to say the least.  I could have been hateful and told them how horrible Obama is and how he is the devil or whatnot like the sorts of things that Libs tell their children.  But I knew that my children deserved better.  They deserved to know the difference between not wanting someone to run our country based on their policy and integrity and not simply because they are a scape-goat for our own problems in life.

I tell you this is a whole world for me.  My two oldest are autistic so we really don't have conversations beyond the latest manga book with my daughter and asking our son to take his meds.  LOL

[BEG]

My girls were both sick yesterday, as I was driving to the doctor I had talk radio on and they were talking about Obama being president.  My oldest daughter said something about being depressed that Obama won.  Even though she is 15 she doesn't truly understand the difference between a republican and democrat.  She knows some of the simple basic differences but the majority of that came from me.  I don't want to shovel my views down her throat. I do want her to think for herself but I also want to be an influence on her so when I discuss politics with her I point out the differences with out calling the other side names or saying they are evil.  I am very diplomatic when I discuss politics with her.

I don't want her to associate hate with my views (they were talking about the way some in the crowd treated Bush).  She was so upset with the way he was treated and the way he has been treated the last 8 years that she said she didn't want to see Obama be the President.   So I told her that she does have something to be proud of today.  Even though I think that Obama's views are the opposite of mine, I can be proud that our country elected a black man.  Yes he was the wrong one in my view, I would have rather had someone like Michael Steele but we can all be proud that we have our first black President. 

I know that some here will get mad at me for saying that.  It's not about being PC or me suddenly going crazy for Obama but rather it's about being proud as a country (take the politics out of it) that we have done what other countries have yet to do and probably wont do for decades.  Canada, France, the UK and all the other western countries that love to beat us down can't say that they have done the same thing.  When you really think about what black people as a whole have been through (the valid victimizations, not the race bating view from someone like Jackson) since our country's inception, it really points out the magnitude of Obama being our President. 

I also had to comment that now race baiters like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson can no longer say that black kids don't have the same opportunities as white kids.  That schtick is dead now.  Sure they will still try to use it but it wont carry any water.

[terry]

...  Even though I think that Obama's views are the opposite of mine, I can be proud that our country elected a black man.  Yes he was the wrong one in my view, I would have rather had someone like Michael Steele but we can all be proud that we have our first black President. 

I know that some here will get mad at me for saying that.  It's not about being PC or me suddenly going crazy for Obama but rather it's about being proud as a country (take the politics out of it) that we have done what other countries have yet to do and probably wont do for decades.  Canada, France, the UK and all the other western countries that love to beat us down can't say that they have done the same thing.  When you really think about what black people as a whole have been through (the valid victimizations, not the race bating view from someone like Jackson) since our country's inception, it really points out the magnitude of Obama being our President. 

I also had to comment that now race baiters like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson can no longer say that black kids don't have the same opportunities as white kids.  That schtick is dead now.  Sure they will still try to use it but it wont carry any water.

I had a very similar conversation with my husband yesterday.   Logically Obama's election should remove the victim card from the deck.  If it helps young black people believe they can be anything they want, then there is a bright side.

My son came home from school and said they didn't see the oath, but they saw the speech..and some women with a stupid poem. 

Tomorrow he is going to DC for the March for Life with his 8th grade class (it's a Catholic school).    He is not into politics much but that particular issue is pretty appalling to him. I never had to tell him my opinion on abortion, all he had to hear was what the procedure was.  He remembers seeing his little brother's ultrasound pic.   I  had some difficulty trying to explain why some people think it should be legal (including some people that he respects and admires).

[BEG]

I had a very similar conversation with my husband yesterday.   Logically Obama's election should remove the victim card from the deck.  If it helps young black people believe they can be anything they want, then there is a bright side.

My son came home from school and said they didn't see the oath, but they saw the speech..and some women with a stupid poem. 

Tomorrow he is going to DC for the March for Life with his 8th grade class (it's a Catholic school).    He is not into politics much but that particular issue is pretty appalling to him. I never had to tell him my opinion on abortion, all he had to hear was what the procedure was.  He remembers seeing his little brother's ultrasound pic.   I  had some difficulty trying to explain why some people think it should be legal (including some people that he respects and admires).

About 4 years ago I was driving in the car with my oldest daughter, again I was listening to talk radio (Dennis Prager to be exact).  He was talking about abortion and she turned to me and said, "I thought doctors were suppose to save lives....how can they kill an unborn baby" and then she said, "Why would a Mom want to do something like that anyway".  I had never really discussed abortion with her up until that point.  I tell you, "out of the mouths of babes" is a truism. 

[jinxmchue]

I had a very similar conversation with my husband yesterday.   Logically Obama's election should remove the victim card from the deck.  If it helps young black people believe they can be anything they want, then there is a bright side.

Amen to that! 

[Chris_]

This was spurred with the announcement by my 9 year old that they watched the friggin innauguration instead of working on math.  Anyway, he announces from the back seat in the car, "I don't like Obama.  I wish McCain would have won.  You don't like Obama mommy so I don't like Obama."  What I WANTED to say was "Yes"  But this is what I talked about instead:

I told him that since I didn't KNOW Mr. Obama (yes I could NOT bring myself to say president) then I couldn't say I didn't LIKE him.  But that rather I didn't like the policies that he wants to have now that he is president.  Now, you have to understand, my 7 year old is kind of your intellect.  He likes to discuss things.  LOL  Anyway I told him that Obama wants to take our money and give it to people that don't work at all.  I told him I didn't think that was right.  I think that people should have to EARN their money.  My kids are very aware of this since we own our businesses and work schedules are always a little different.  I also told him that Obama doesn't want to keep our country safe with our military and that McCain would with made sure we are safe with the military and the war against terror.

That was the basic part of what I told them both.  My 7 year old is uncanny with his perception.  He then reminded me that when the school voted for president (they did a mock election in Nov.) that Mr McCain got 374 votes and Obama only got 102.  And now you know why we live where we do.  LOL  No, seriously it was an interesting conversation to say the least.  I could have been hateful and told them how horrible Obama is and how he is the devil or whatnot like the sorts of things that Libs tell their children.  But I knew that my children deserved better.  They deserved to know the difference between not wanting someone to run our country based on their policy and integrity and not simply because they are a scape-goat for our own problems in life.

I tell you this is a whole world for me.  My two oldest are autistic so we really don't have conversations beyond the latest manga book with my daughter and asking our son to take his meds.  LOL

Tess, you are the CC tesseract -- as you unfold we find dimentions of significance.

The kid brought it up and kids should always be answered honestly.  I am sure you don't want to sully your little one with politics -- that decision was taken away from you by the liberal teacher.

You done good -- but you already knew that.

[Tess]

Tess, you are the CC tesseract -- as you unfold we find dimentions of significance.

The kid brought it up and kids should always be answered honestly.  I am sure you don't want to sully your little one with politics -- that decision was taken away from you by the liberal teacher.

You done good -- but you already knew that.

I'm blushing!  LOL

Seirously, how badly did I want to just rant and rave about what a moron Obama is.  But truthfully children WANT honesty.  And I would be doing them a disservice by dismissing their discussion or by trying to color it.  They are smart.  Either that or they have an evil capitalist mind like me.   

[Tess]

My girls were both sick yesterday, as I was driving to the doctor I had talk radio on and they were talking about Obama being president.  My oldest daughter said something about being depressed that Obama won.  Even though she is 15 she doesn't truly understand the difference between a republican and democrat.  She knows some of the simple basic differences but the majority of that came from me.  I don't want to shovel my views down her throat. I do want her to think for herself but I also want to be an influence on her so when I discuss politics with her I point out the differences with out calling the other side names or saying they are evil.  I am very diplomatic when I discuss politics with her.

I don't want her to associate hate with my views (they were talking about the way some in the crowd treated Bush).  She was so upset with the way he was treated and the way he has been treated the last 8 years that she said she didn't want to see Obama be the President.   So I told her that she does have something to be proud of today.  Even though I think that Obama's views are the opposite of mine, I can be proud that our country elected a black man.  Yes he was the wrong one in my view, I would have rather had someone like Michael Steele but we can all be proud that we have our first black President. 

I know that some here will get mad at me for saying that.  It's not about being PC or me suddenly going crazy for Obama but rather it's about being proud as a country (take the politics out of it) that we have done what other countries have yet to do and probably wont do for decades.  Canada, France, the UK and all the other western countries that love to beat us down can't say that they have done the same thing.  When you really think about what black people as a whole have been through (the valid victimizations, not the race bating view from someone like Jackson) since our country's inception, it really points out the magnitude of Obama being our President. 

I also had to comment that now race baiters like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson can no longer say that black kids don't have the same opportunities as white kids.  That schtick is dead now.  Sure they will still try to use it but it wont carry any water.

It is amazing how perceptive kids are.  And how they can sense right from wrong.  You are right.  And I think that part of it is important for our country's history sake.  Other than that, I don't think he was MLK's prophesy fulfilled like so many try to portray him.

[Chris_]

I'm blushing!  LOL

Seirously, how badly did I want to just rant and rave about what a moron Obama is.  But truthfully children WANT honesty.  And I would be doing them a disservice by dismissing their discussion or by trying to color it.  They are smart.  Either that or they have an evil capitalist mind like me.   :evillaugh:

You blush???  HAH!

You is almost as tough as our Shade (where is she anyway?)

A good rant is a good rant. And always enjoyable.


(hmmm -- I haven't ranted in a while.  Need more booze to really let off a big 'ol one...)

[BEG]

It is amazing how perceptive kids are.  And how they can sense right from wrong.  You are right.  And I think that part of it is important for our country's history sake.  Other than that, I don't think he was MLK's prophesy fulfilled like so many try to portray him.

I was trying to show her the glass is half full side of it.  I think that what MLK wanted is for a black person to be elected President not because he was black but because he was the right man for the job.  I feel that Obama wouldn't be in the White House if he weren't black.  His inexperience alone would have kept him from it for a least a decade.  All the things everyone had to "overlook" to elect him would have ruined another candidate, especially a White Republican.   

[DixieBelle]

I have been asked the same types of questions by my 11 year old. I wish I had the tact and self control the rest of you did. (I'm teasing!)

I hold my tongue around my son as a general rule but I don't run from my words either. He's overheard me talking to my husband or other adults and I've always explained my frustrations in terms I think he understands. He's the "Well why?" kid. He will ask "why" until the cows come home. Like any grown up subject, I try to break it down into small bites and let him guide me. After I'm done answering, I'll say "do you want to know more?" and go from there. Above all else, we talk about how great it is that we live in a free country and that politics is a life long education. I'm still learning myself and I make a point to tell him that too.

We have talked about being a conservative v. a liberal and what that means in general terms and he has gone to the voting booth with me and watches the news with me. He gets the two party system but doesn't grasp it the way he will when he's older. He knows that we hold certain values and expect him to live by a certain code. 

You guys are going to think I'm making this up. He brought this home from school and I was going to post it a long time ago. I can't make it any bigger so here's what it says:

"list two facts about this person's life" - (he put: born in 1961, has 2 daughters)
"list two important things this person has done" - (he put a big zero)
"what are two words you would use to describe this person?" - (he put: "smart (sorta)" and "good ideas")
"why should kids learn about him or her?" - (he put a big zero)

As you can see, he got a "C" and I fully supported his teacher's grading. We sat down to discuss it because he got a "B" on the McCain one - he filled that one out completely. I asked him why and he said, "because McCain is a military hero who has done a lot for our country and he seems like a good man who knows a lot and I think we need somebody as president who knows a lot. You know, like my grandpa." Okay, what about Obama? I asked and he said, "I don't know what he's done besides run for president. He seems kinda young. Isn't the president usually an old man who's been around for a long, long time? Old men are really smart and know how to do stuff like fix problems." 

[terry]

You done good dixie!

What frustrated me about the things I would hear from some on the left with regard to conversations with kids, is that they infect their kids with their own sense of helplessness.

Before both of the Bush elections they talked about how evil Bush was.  Then when their guy lost they stayed home from work and cried all day.   Then they just kept it up, it was horrible, it was the end of the world.  How could that not frighten their children?

Kids, I think, above all need to feel safe.   They need to know that the world is basically ok.   Even if I thought the Obama presidency was going to seriously damage me personally, cost me a job or whatever, I wouldn't share those worries with my kids.   If they ask questions, I answer honestly but I try very hard not to burden them with my worries.  I may discuss in general terms that the stock market is in the toilet and economy is bad, but I would add that our family was fine (even if we lost money).

I would say "I don't like this, but we're going to be ok, it won't affect us much".  Some of the DUer's had no regard for their children's feelings.

[BEG]

I have been asked the same types of questions by my 11 year old. I wish I had the tact and self control the rest of you did. (I'm teasing!)

I hold my tongue around my son as a general rule but I don't run from my words either. He's overheard me talking to my husband or other adults and I've always explained my frustrations in terms I think he understands. He's the "Well why?" kid. He will ask "why" until the cows come home. Like any grown up subject, I try to break it down into small bites and let him guide me. After I'm done answering, I'll say "do you want to know more?" and go from there. Above all else, we talk about how great it is that we live in a free country and that politics is a life long education. I'm still learning myself and I make a point to tell him that too.

We have talked about being a conservative v. a liberal and what that means in general terms and he has gone to the voting booth with me and watches the news with me. He gets the two party system but doesn't grasp it the way he will when he's older. He knows that we hold certain values and expect him to live by a certain code. 

You guys are going to think I'm making this up. He brought this home from school and I was going to post it a long time ago. I can't make it any bigger so here's what it says:

"list two facts about this person's life" - (he put: born in 1961, has 2 daughters)
"list two important things this person has done" - (he put a big zero)
"what are two words you would use to describe this person?" - (he put: "smart (sorta)" and "good ideas")
"why should kids learn about him or her?" - (he put a big zero)

As you can see, he got a "C" and I fully supported his teacher's grading. We sat down to discuss it because he got a "B" on the McCain one - he filled that one out completely. I asked him why and he said, "because McCain is a military hero who has done a lot for our country and he seems like a good man who knows a lot and I think we need somebody as president who knows a lot. You know, like my grandpa." Okay, what about Obama? I asked and he said, "I don't know what he's done besides run for president. He seems kinda young. Isn't the president usually an old man who's been around for a long, long time? Old men are really smart and know how to do stuff like fix problems." 

Like I said, "out of the mouths of babes" Dixie.  Children really do get it as long as someone hasn't poisoned their mind like DU'ers do to their kids.  You don't hear any hate in what your son said, he just has common sense.  

[BEG]

You done good dixie!

What frustrated me about the things I would hear from some on the left with regard to conversations with kids, is that they infect their kids with their own sense of helplessness.

Before both of the Bush elections they talked about how evil Bush was.  Then when their guy lost they stayed home from work and cried all day.   Then they just kept it up, it was horrible, it was the end of the world.  How could that not frighten their children?

Kids, I think, above all need to feel safe.   They need to know that the world is basically ok.   Even if I thought the Obama presidency was going to seriously damage me personally, cost me a job or whatever, I wouldn't share those worries with my kids.   If they ask questions, I answer honestly but I try very hard not to burden them with my worries.  I may discuss in general terms that the stock market is in the toilet and economy is bad, but I would add that our family was fine (even if we lost money).

I would say "I don't like this, but we're going to be ok, it won't affect us much".  Some of the DUer's had no regard for their children's feelings.

Exactly!!!!  You get a H5 from me (as does Dixie).  My moonbat neighbor/friends went to bed for several DAYS.  She cried for days as well in 2004.  She is manic depressive anyway but Bush winning in 2004 sent her over the edge. 

[DixieBelle]

Aww thanks! I think he did a good job of breaking down the differences without getting caught up in the partisan hysteria that people spout. To him, Obama isn't ready to have such an important job while McCan was more capable and trustworthy in his eyes.

[Tess]

I have been asked the same types of questions by my 11 year old. I wish I had the tact and self control the rest of you did. (I'm teasing!)

I hold my tongue around my son as a general rule but I don't run from my words either. He's overheard me talking to my husband or other adults and I've always explained my frustrations in terms I think he understands. He's the "Well why?" kid. He will ask "why" until the cows come home. Like any grown up subject, I try to break it down into small bites and let him guide me. After I'm done answering, I'll say "do you want to know more?" and go from there. Above all else, we talk about how great it is that we live in a free country and that politics is a life long education. I'm still learning myself and I make a point to tell him that too.

We have talked about being a conservative v. a liberal and what that means in general terms and he has gone to the voting booth with me and watches the news with me. He gets the two party system but doesn't grasp it the way he will when he's older. He knows that we hold certain values and expect him to live by a certain code. 

You guys are going to think I'm making this up. He brought this home from school and I was going to post it a long time ago. I can't make it any bigger so here's what it says:

"list two facts about this person's life" - (he put: born in 1961, has 2 daughters)
"list two important things this person has done" - (he put a big zero)
"what are two words you would use to describe this person?" - (he put: "smart (sorta)" and "good ideas")
"why should kids learn about him or her?" - (he put a big zero)

As you can see, he got a "C" and I fully supported his teacher's grading. We sat down to discuss it because he got a "B" on the McCain one - he filled that one out completely. I asked him why and he said, "because McCain is a military hero who has done a lot for our country and he seems like a good man who knows a lot and I think we need somebody as president who knows a lot. You know, like my grandpa." Okay, what about Obama? I asked and he said, "I don't know what he's done besides run for president. He seems kinda young. Isn't the president usually an old man who's been around for a long, long time? Old men are really smart and know how to do stuff like fix problems." 

Very good!  It hard especially when kids overhear personal conversations or even a release of emotion from an adult.  But to get his perspective was truly eye opening.