Talk

I grew up in a family that discussed politics as a matter of course.  It wasn't maybe so hard for us to do, because aside from possibly some vague leanings in the primaries (not even sure about that, though), both the voting age members of the household were casting their ballots the same way (although I do remember some emotional arguments about how we should respond to the Bosnian war and there were probably a few other non-voting issues that caused some true disagreement).  But I've learned in adulthood that even in undivided houses, a lot of people don't talk about politics at all.

I do wonder then if it's an innate personality thing, or more a product of this way of growing up, but either way, I love discussing politics and policy with other adults, even if the conversation gets a little heated, and I love the challenge of discussing these things with my kids in ways that they can understand and find interesting.  It's not that I want them to agree with me no matter what; I actually spend a lot of energy trying to clarify for them why some people, even people close to us, have different views than I do (and I have encouraged those with different leanings to share their thoughts with the kids).  I do want them to grow up to be engaged in our democracy.  To be interested in and feel obligated to be informed, to think things through, to make decisions, and to vote.  Maybe even volunteer for a campaign.  Maybe even run for office.

So it might be to my credit that they have all wanted to stay up to watch the debates (even Bayboh, tearfully put to bed pleading "Watch!  'Bate!"), or it might just be that we're all night owls and any chance to stay up late watching anything sounds like fun.

The first debate, Shmoogie fell asleep early on.  Mr. P watched the whole thing and when I asked him what he thought of it the next day, his assessment was quite reasonable but delivered with a tone of near-disbelief: "He kept blurting out and saying the wrong words."

Before the vice presidential debate, we had some prep about who was going to be on stage and what the role of a Vice President is and why we should care at least a little but also why the debate probably won't affect the election much.  Shmoogie was tired but more awake this time, which meant she shifted rapidly towards bored and cranky instead of asleep.  She was rolling around next to me on the couch, wanting an arm around her, then throwing it off, wanting to go to bed but refusing to take herself, wanting a blanket (Mr. P kindly gave her one, then went back to focusing on the screen and telling me that Pence looks "creepy"... I did ask him if he thought he'd have the same feeling if I hadn't told him ahead of time who I was rooting for...).  Finally, Shmoogie had had enough.  "Ugh!  We might not even need to USE the Vice Presidents!!!"