Category Archives: election

Getting into the Holiday Spirit

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I can’t lie the election took a lot out of me, it was the same for my youngest too. He was really into the election, even going to school like a walking billboard advertising how the electorate works and the timing. I was a little afraid others might be annoyed or stressed by this, but his classmates seemed to get caught up in his enthusiasm and his teachers beyond thrilled a student would make this type of effort on their own.

The election was over more quickly than anticipated, the majority vote also won (fair and square) and I felt exhausted and well, numb. My son was so caught up in it, he got physically ill late into election night. None of us slept well. It was hard to muster joy the next few days. We were hoping for less stress, which requires less drama and scare tactics, and more unity and discussion around us coming together as a country. I don’t have a lot of confidence this will come from our incoming leadership so it will be left up to us, the citizens, to make this happen. The reality is we are more alike than we are different, and want the same things. We need to help each other to feel safe — housing, food, fiscal security, control over your own body, and bring more resources to address mental health struggles. We need to drop the stereotypes, because if we’re being honest, it’s a lazy way to identify a group different than you, and differences in our country is what really makes us great — different perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures.

My life has taken me from living in the suburbs, to a small rural town, and then to a larger city. Each environment I saw the good in everyone around me, regardless their income, background, culture or beliefs. I was thankful when a perception was changed or a stereotype flipped upside down — it quickly taught me that getting to know individuals is most valuable and to remember whatever stereotype I’ve been exposed to is just plain wrong. My husband and I have attempted to instill this in our kids — keep an open mind, get to know someone before you pass judgement, and look for the good.

There is a lot of good out there. There is so much to be thankful for, even when things don’t always feel good. You just have to be on the lookout. The holidays are just around the corner and having something to look forward to is comforting (and a good distraction). Getting into the holiday spirit varies for everyone. I’m going to lean in and look for the good all around.

How are you finding your holiday spirit? What good have you found in unforeseen places?

I’ll be off next week celebrating the holiday with friends and family and back in December. Happy Thanksgiving.

Wait For It

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Since the pandemic started time has been a funny thing. Dragging by and then suddenly speeding up, then slowing, speeding up, and so on.

The summer was probably the hardest for us. With school over, and no ability to really do anything with friends or travel, the long-ness of the situation set in. My kids complained often how bored they were. We all were.

Then school started back up and time picked back up with it. Not to the pace it was pre-pandemic but faster than it had been. We were grateful. Then the anxiety of the upcoming election set in, the economy crumbling, people suffering increased, and time almost seemed suspended — like being in an alternate universe. Yet time marched on.

Halloween came and went, and we got a sense for how the holidays will be different this year, foregoing some of our annual traditions to be safe. We held our breathe with the election. Then it was over and we exhaled. We almost shout with glee when we learned a vaccine is coming. But time is funny. The virus starts spiking, the vaccine will come but time slows, we have more waiting to do.

My boys are desperate to be with their friends again. We’re all having quarantine fatigue but have to stay the course until we’re actually vaccinated—so we play the waiting game.

It’s hard to be still and wait. You learn patience as a parent, or at least I did, with my kids. When you’re young, waiting for something can be so hard. Remember what it felt like on Christmas Eve (or morning) when you had to wait just a little longer to see what Santa brought? Waiting can feel like torture, but it does eventually pass. It almost always does. We just have to wait for it.

How are you and your family making it through the pandemic? What helps you make waiting easier or more bearable?

Anticipation

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The last week has been an emotional roller coaster, right?

The waiting has been hard. I’ve gone from worried to hopeful to worried to hopeful.

As election results started coming in my husband and I tried to suppress our concerns at what we were seeing — we didn’t want the kids to be worried. What I didn’t expect was that our sons were glued to the election and on their phones talking to friends about what was happening. They were as stressed/concerned/anxious as my husband and I were.

I hated that they were worried, but in awe that they realized the importance of voting and having every vote counts. They understand the importance of leadership and how it can impact them and their peers, our country (and those suffering from illness or poverty), and around the world (climate change).

We had a discussion over dinner about what we would do if we were charge. My oldest really pressed my husband and I for policy changes we would implement or change. I suggested we use tax incentives to bring renewable energy jobs to rural parts of the country where people need jobs. My husband had suggestions around better use of our taxes. I shared that many of us adults have a lot of hope based on young people’s engagement, enthusiasm, and energy to make positive change in our country, and are inspired to engage in our political process like never before.

We all agreed, as Americans we can only be better if we help each other be our best. We take care and lookout for each other (such as giving everyone access to healthcare and education regardless of your background or means). It might sound optimist, but feels like it’s possible with the right leadership and drive to unite us.

We now know who our next President will be. I’m breathing again. My kids are more relaxed, but know there is still a divide in our country and many unhappy with the results. I’m hopeful we’ll heal and come together, and stop the decisiveness. If nothing more than for our kids.

How are you being the change we need in our country? How are you helping your child to be part of the change?

Make It Count

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How aware is your child about the upcoming election?

We all want it over and behind us, right? My boys have been aware of politics and world happenings at a much younger than I was. I found politics boring growing up and didn’t feel a need to pay attention to it until I could vote.

We listened to an interesting story on the radio where a sixteen year old made the case for young people should be allowed to vote. While that might seem absurd to some, his argument was compelling, particularly when he raised the issue of working and paying taxes, but having no say in where his tax dollars were spent.

Our youth are more aware and engaged in politics and the obvious things that need to be addressed in our country — healthcare for all, equality, climate change, and so much more. They don’t have a vote, so they look to us, their parents, caregivers, family, and friends to do what they can’t … vote. They’re counting on us.

Please vote.