Not long ago, I posted an informational pic on Instagram on an issue we had on the ballot in our state. It was important to me, and I wanted to make sure people had the facts about the issue. I didn’t shout it or tell others how to vote; I just informed people on the issue and encouraged my followers to have a voice.
I got a response from an Instagram “friend” who was helping me “think” about how I might cast my vote. I responded with a clarification that I understood what the issue was and what my personal vote would be. She further wanted to debate it, and my response was that I loved that we live in a country where I can vote what my heart says, and she can do the same. The discussion over IG ended there.
A week later, I took my son to vote. I gave him all the information before we walked in and told him that your vote is your voice. I told him we may not agree on how to vote, but that is the beauty of our country; we can have a voice and a vote.
The discussion led to what happens if what I wanted to pass or not to pass does or does not pass. What happens if I don’t get my way? I realized his 10-year-old mind was operating on what is fair and selfish, and maybe that is how we see our vote, too.
I love that I took my son to vote. It has cultivated many conversations, and I even shared with him my interaction online with my IG friend. We’ve both decided that debating our values and morals doesn’t need to cause anger or resentment and that we get to vote for what our hearts say, just like those we disagree with.
SO, VOTE, and teach your kids the importance of voting. We all have a voice, and we should exercise our right to use it through the ballot – while all respecting each other.
