Parents don’t have time for politics…
Most folks that have any contact with me have witnessed me standing on my proverbial soapbox lecturing about the importance of political involvement and understanding. You’ve also heard me strongly criticize political complacency and purposeful ignorance.
While discussing this, I often hear a variety of “excuses” from different people attempting to explain their lack of political awareness or involvement. Very often I hear from parents, more specifically Mothers, who feel their attention must be devoted to their children and therefore they simply do not have time to engage in politics beyond what happens to float by their ears on the nightly news or pass their computer screen between checking for coupons.
At the risk of entering the very dangerous “Mommy war” zone I want to discuss some of my thoughts on this sentiment.
I am a mother. And as any good mother will tell you – kids come first.
What I’m here to tell you is this… kids come first…. And folks, this includes being attentive to the events taking place that are shaping the world they are about to grow up into. Parenting does not excuse you from all other responsibilities beyond your home. On the contrary, when you bring a human being forth into this world, you have an even greater responsibility to do whatever you can to shape the future that they are about to embark on. For when they become adults, it is they who will shape your world.
Very simply put, your child’s freedom, their liberty, their education, healthcare, well being… their very life and future depends on you. This means not only will your actions affect their lives, but so will your inaction.
Again, I want to avoid the dull-minded “Mommy wars” arguments here – but I will tell you that I slammed the brakes hard on a developing career in the computer industry when I had my first child. I stopped working and have not been back since. I made a firm decision that I would raise my children, because they are my children and I have never ever second guessed that decision. Moreover, I am a homeschooling mother so let there be no doubt that I am fully dedicated to the life and well-being of my children and their future.
And that my friends, is precisely why I am politically active.
Over the last few years in fact I’ve become more and more politically active. Shortly after I had my first child I realized that this tiny soul is my responsibility and so is their future. Two weeks after the birth of my first child, the
At that point, it became almost instinctual to become better informed, more politically aware and attempt to become as active as I can within my capacity.
Since then, (and more kids added) I’ve read, learned, listened, made decisions and tried to keep informed. Within the past year, I’ve tried to do more – as my time and ability has allowed - and I’ve been able to meet many folks, learn a great deal and get more involved in my community and state.
Recently I’ve been giving a good deal of thought to taking on more. As the kids get older my time and capacity for involvement stretches.…I’ve pondered the idea of running for public office. I will admit that I’ve pondered this a great deal more often than I’ve talked about out loud. All in all though, the time for me to hold a public office is not now. Not yet. My role as a mother – at this time in my family’s lives – requires the time and dedication I would need to commit to the role of an elected official.
Hence, the word “balance”. Which is my point here folks. You can be a responsible parent and a responsible citizen of your country, state and community. Really – they are one in the same, and if you are neglecting one, you are neglecting both. Nobody is saying you have to run for Mayor, or spend endless weeks on the campaign trail while your kids stay with your Mother-in-law.
Perhaps your level of commitment will be attending your county meetings once every four months for 2 hours. Perhaps you can make some phone calls one evening per week after dinner to support a candidate you favor. Perhaps you can even take your kids along to a rally which supports legislation that will affect your whole family…. remember… legislation DOES indeed affect your entire family, whether you chose to ignore it or not.
(a special notice to homeschool families here – we of all parents should be politically active as very often there is legislation going on that does indeed affect how we educate our children and poses threats to our rights).
Maybe you it’s confusing to you, you don’t feel you understand well enough. Then perhaps your responsibility is to get learning, start reading, asking questions and gathering knowledge.
The point is, there really is no excuse. Parenting does not excuse you from political awareness, it actually makes it that much more important.
Folks, I implore you – share this message with your friends, lets begin to spread the understanding of just how crucial it is becoming that we ALL do what is necessary to preserve our freedom. We simply must stop sitting back, making excuses and expecting the suits to take care of it all for us.
This country is made up of “We the people” not “We the politicians”.
…and that does not exclude parents.
