Politics and our children

[dgreenshield]

My son goes to Singapore American School and the general concensus is that they would all vote for Obama. Have your children been talking about the election?

My son said he would vote for Obama because he would be the first African American president in US history.

[Gina.Maria]

My oldest isn't interested in much that doesn't revolve around social engagements or fashion but my middle child, a daughter, supports Obama. She's not fully aware of the issues but she says he sounds like he's nicer and he doesn't make such "mean" faces like McCain.

[dgreenshield]

That's the general concensus among my son's friends. They don't understand the issues that are being debated but they like Obama more.

[vegaschristina]

My 5 year old wanted to vote for Hilary because she's pretty.

[Heather Manning]

My 9 year old and 4 year old want to vote for McCain cuz they love their mama. ROFL

[Kim2002]

My oldest is only 6 and doesn't really have a clue. However, when the debates first started, he asked which man we were rooting for. LOL

[4noisyboys]

My son is a senior in a Christian high school. The majority of the kids there would vote for McCain if they could, just as their parents would. My son, and one of his friends that he knows of, would vote for Obama. My son wears his buttons, and has an Obama/Biden sticker on his trumpet case. He had someone vandalize his sticker at the football game the other night, and he is extremely upset about it. It's hard for us in this very red community, but we will continue the fight!

Oh...and his other friend who is for Obama....his parents are very much for McCain. The mom even got very mad for me when we were chaperoning the band in Europe earlier this year. Some people can't handle hearing anything different than their views!

ETA: This same son was very much for Bush in 2000, and wouldn't talk to me for days after he went with me while I voted and he found out I voted for Gore!

[ms4kidz]

My oldest is in 7th grade. Their history teacher did a side by side comparison for the kids. Most of the kids had Obama as the one they'd vote for, but the problem was, he failed to tell the kids how each candidate wanted to reach their "ideal." After sitting down and talking with my dd, she realized how misleading her teacher had been and realized McCain, although not perfect, was a better fit for our family.

We live in a very conservative area and I was not the only parent that was furious at how this particular teacher did this. This wasn't the first year parents called the school complaining about this particular teacher.

[txmusicmom]

I've talked to my kids about the election- I encourage my older two - to listen for themselves...........

My 10 year old is discussing it in a current events class.

Donna

[Tiffikat]

My three year old has no idea, however he enjoys walking around the house saying "Bah-rah-ck Ooo-baaa-maaa" and "Maaverick"

[Keely~B]

My ten year old has been watching/learning and we've had some good discussions. We live in a very red state, although we tend to live in one of the few cities that skews liberal our neighborhood is full of McCain/Palin signs and stickers. I've been trying to explaing my positions and why some don't agree with them. I'm stressing that it should be an individual that makes an educated decision, that it's important to vote per your belief not just because that's what your Mom/Teacher/Actor says.

[Tiffikat]

Keely that is a great way to do it! We plan on doing the same thing with Dom in regards to politics and even religion. To me those are beliefs that need to be made on your own and while I'm sure he will consider the beliefs that my DH and I have we plan to show him all different sides of the situations so he can make the most informed choice for himself.

[Scorpiosue1102]

My son is only five, but I've decided to take him with me when I vote. All he's really done is ask who they were. When he is older I'll talk to him about each candidate, show him information and let him make up his own mind no matter what I think or want. I'd rather he vote against me, but for his own reasons.

[ange2k25]

My third graders are very interested in the election. I bought Scholastic News for my classroom this year for the first time and we are reading about the candidates. I DO NOT give my opinions at all but am very neutral in our discussions. It is funny to see third graders who don't really understand the issues completely so adamantly declaring that McCain or Obama should be president. "Cause my mom/dad says so" is one of the most often given reasons. In class, we focus more on the process of the election and general information about the candidates-the kids loved reading about Palin and Biden's families and hobbies. I think some of it humanizes these "talkiing heads" for the children. I can't believe there are teachers that push their opinions on their students-my district is very clear this is not okay. I wear a "Vote" shirt on election days and remain neutral. I do have my principal's grandson in my room this year and he has repeatedly mentioned that his grandma is voting for Obama.

[ange2k25]

Forgot to say-I vote by mail and bring in my ballot each time to show it to the children. They always think it is really cool and want to handle it and help me vote lol. Of course, I bring it in before I've voted.

[CraftTeaLady]

If you look at the Disney Channel, its a very, very obvious slant to how the kids should vote if they could... you only see one name, as if there is only one person in the running.

[Tiffikat]

I haven't noticed anything on our Disney Channel, we only watch playhouse Disney though so maybe they aren't doing political stuff then.

[scrapper_gal]

Since DH is a pastor my kids still think Mike Huckabee should be president (so do I). Although, for the life of them, they can't figure out why anybody would want to quit being a pastor. They idolize their dad, LOL.

[hellosunshine]

My eleven-year-old son and I went round and round this year because he always wanted Obama and I wanted Hillary. He gave some very well-thought-out reasons for his support of Obama. My daughter in high school has political discussion in a few classes.

[HLWalter725]

I've tried to be very neutral with my kids. I refuse to let them have any reason to fear either man becoming president. In the end, someone will win and if it isn't the one I am voting for, I want my kids to still have a respect for this country and our president.

[snaggletooth75]

I have told my kids that they dont have to cave to what other people want. That they are individuals and have their own minds and choices and that just because someone they admire or respect wants to be a certain way or vote a certain way that they dont have to be that way. That it doesnt mean they dont respect that person anymore. I always allow my children to have their own opinions. I certainly dont allow my older kids teachers to brow beat thier own ideals and convictions into my childrens heads about the election. They have a habit of doing that at my daughters school and I actually had it out with one teacher cause she told my daughter she HAD to support a certain candidate and that if she didnt it means she didnt care about her country. Now thats wrong.

[HLWalter725]

I have told my kids that they dont have to cave to what other people want. That they are individuals and have their own minds and choices and that just because someone they admire or respect wants to be a certain way or vote a certain way that they dont have to be that way. That it doesnt mean they dont respect that person anymore. I always allow my children to have their own opinions. I certainly dont allow my older kids teachers to brow beat thier own ideals and convictions into my childrens heads about the election. They have a habit of doing that at my daughters school and I actually had it out with one teacher cause she told my daughter she HAD to support a certain candidate and that if she didnt it means she didnt care about her country. Now thats wrong.

Yes, that is wrong regardless of which candidate the teacher supported.

[mama_pajama]

I have told my kids that they dont have to cave to what other people want. That they are individuals and have their own minds and choices and that just because someone they admire or respect wants to be a certain way or vote a certain way that they dont have to be that way. That it doesnt mean they dont respect that person anymore. I always allow my children to have their own opinions. I certainly dont allow my older kids teachers to brow beat thier own ideals and convictions into my childrens heads about the election. They have a habit of doing that at my daughters school and I actually had it out with one teacher cause she told my daughter she HAD to support a certain candidate and that if she didnt it means she didnt care about her country. Now thats wrong.

I'm not defending the teacher's behavior, I never let my students know how I felt about either candidate when I was teaching, but you do have to remember that this is election is very personal to teachers. We've spent years under No Child Left Behind knowing that it is a ridiculous way to educate our nation's children.

During the last election, most of our school's teachers were SO hopeful that Bush wouldn't be re-elected and we'd finally be able to get back to TEACHING instead of doing test prep. I vividly remember feeling so crushed when I found out that I would be stuck working under NCLB for at least 4 more years, that our kids were going to continue to be robbed of a proper education.

Personally, I refuse to go back to teaching until NCLB is overturned or changed so much that it's unrecognizable. There is finally a light at the end of the NCLB tunnel, we're almost free of that utter disaster of an 'education policy'. Most teachers don't want to continue like this for 4-8 more years, and there are lots of teachers like me who are darn good at what we do, but we refuse to educate children in a way that we know is wrong. So if we get a little overbearing when discussing this election, know that we feel the way we do because we genuinely care about your children and their education. Even if you don't agree with our candidate choice, you have to admit that we really do know more about educating children than the politicians do!

[Miss Chris]

I'm not defending the teacher's behavior, I never let my students know how I felt about either candidate when I was teaching, but you do have to remember that this is election is very personal to teachers. We've spent years under No Child Left Behind knowing that it is a ridiculous way to educate our nation's children.

During the last election, most of our school's teachers were SO hopeful that Bush wouldn't be re-elected and we'd finally be able to get back to TEACHING instead of doing test prep. I vividly remember feeling so crushed when I found out that I would be stuck working under NCLB for at least 4 more years, that our kids were going to continue to be robbed of a proper education.

Personally, I refuse to go back to teaching until NCLB is overturned or changed so much that it's unrecognizable. There is finally a light at the end of the NCLB tunnel, we're almost free of that utter disaster of an 'education policy'. Most teachers don't want to continue like this for 4-8 more years, and there are lots of teachers like me who are darn good at what we do, but we refuse to educate children in a way that we know is wrong. So if we get a little overbearing when discussing this election, know that we feel the way we do because we genuinely care about your children and their education. Even if you don't agree with our candidate choice, you have to admit that we really do know more about educating children than the politicians do!
Thank you so much for posting this. I have thought about getting out of education for the very same reasons. We don't teach anymore, we prep for tests. I am so hopeful that things will change and soon.

[snaggletooth75]

My daughter is 15. She does not need to be bullied by a teacher or told she dont care about her country. I am taking it to the school board on this one. WHen my child comes home crying cause a teacher made her feel little the teacher needs to be fired! This teacher is for Mccain like I am but still she does not need to bully my child. I am not the only parent that is going to the board on this one!

ETA!!! My cousin is a teacher and she backs me and the other parents 100% amd also agrees that this went beyond what the teacher needed to say to our children.
I always respect teachers and most of the ones we have are awesome! There is always that teacher that crosses the line and when it interfers with my daughters schooling and her not wanting to go back to school or that class cause the teacher did it in front of the class how can one just let that slide. You dont tell a child that they dont care about their country full out in front of other kids that way in such a manner it makes the kid cry and the parent have to come get the child cause they are so upset.

I'm not defending the teacher's behavior, I never let my students know how I felt about either candidate when I was teaching, but you do have to remember that this is election is very personal to teachers. We've spent years under No Child Left Behind knowing that it is a ridiculous way to educate our nation's children.

During the last election, most of our school's teachers were SO hopeful that Bush wouldn't be re-elected and we'd finally be able to get back to TEACHING instead of doing test prep. I vividly remember feeling so crushed when I found out that I would be stuck working under NCLB for at least 4 more years, that our kids were going to continue to be robbed of a proper education.

Personally, I refuse to go back to teaching until NCLB is overturned or changed so much that it's unrecognizable. There is finally a light at the end of the NCLB tunnel, we're almost free of that utter disaster of an 'education policy'. Most teachers don't want to continue like this for 4-8 more years, and there are lots of teachers like me who are darn good at what we do, but we refuse to educate children in a way that we know is wrong. So if we get a little overbearing when discussing this election, know that we feel the way we do because we genuinely care about your children and their education. Even if you don't agree with our candidate choice, you have to admit that we really do know more about educating children than the politicians do!

[snaggletooth75]

And I agree that teachers should be allowed to just teach. They also need to be paid more IMO!

[Scorpiosue1102]

My son is in kindergarten and he's already been tested. I was telling my friend who used to teach inner city Chicago kids (she deserved combat pay for that one) and we were discussing that my son tested 98% on his tests and she says, "I'm sure his school is loving that just for the scores." That's just kind of sad, but true.

[Stephanie Ogren]

My boys, ages 9 and 7, want McCain/Palin. However, I told them both to think for themselves and choose who they like and not necessarily go by what we, their parents, say.

[Microferk ~ Miki Ferkul]

I have told my kids that they dont have to cave to what other people want. That they are individuals and have their own minds and choices and that just because someone they admire or respect wants to be a certain way or vote a certain way that they dont have to be that way. That it doesnt mean they dont respect that person anymore. I always allow my children to have their own opinions. I certainly dont allow my older kids teachers to brow beat thier own ideals and convictions into my childrens heads about the election. They have a habit of doing that at my daughters school and I actually had it out with one teacher cause she told my daughter she HAD to support a certain candidate and that if she didnt it means she didnt care about her country. Now thats wrong.

No kidding! That would chap my hyde as well!
I always tell my kids they have the right to their own opinions- and I expect them to come to a conclusion- even if it's that they are undecided :lol
But, I also tell them to be ready for vigorous discussions, LOL!
My oldest son is voting in his first presidential election this year- he went for Barack Obama before me. My daughter supports Obama in the limited capacity of a 9½yr old. Our youngest supports McCain becasue he chooses the opposite of me in almost everything, on principle.
But it would really tick me off if their PUBLIC school teachers started campaigning for one or the theother. At the high school level I can see discussions and the disclosure of who a teacher is supporting if asked and the teacher feels comfortable discussing it.

[Chreamps]

I think my son is a LOT like his Dad, doesn't want to discuss politics (LOL). I'm sure he gets into discussions at school with his friends. I've told him to don't always take what ANY politician says as the truth, to always go and find the facts himself.

So the only people I get to talk to about politics is my mom and all of you!

[snaggletooth75]

The teacher was for McCain like I am LOL but still there is a thing as going to far specially since my daughter is really into Obama and what he stands for. She felt like she was wrong to think that way.
No kidding! That would chap my hyde as well!
I always tell my kids they have the right to their own opinions- and I expect them to come to a conclusion- even if it's that they are undecided :lol
But, I also tell them to be ready for vigorous discussions, LOL!
My oldest son is voting in his first presidential election this year- he went for Barack Obama before me. My daughter supports Obama in the limited capacity of a 9½yr old. Our youngest supports McCain becasue he chooses the opposite of me in almost everything, on principle.
But it would really tick me off if their PUBLIC school teachers started campaigning for one or the theother. At the high school level I can see discussions and the disclosure of who a teacher is supporting if asked and the teacher feels comfortable discussing it.

[thumper6423]

My 7yo wants to vote for McCain because McCain is a veteran like his Daddy. If only the decision were really that simple.