And May The Fastest Candidate Win

I've mentioned before that DD and I watch Fox and Friends in the morning.  And she is with DH and I in the evenings.  We watch a little television as she's winding down for the night.  Everything is fair game -- CNN, MSNBC, and Fox.  The election coverage has been fascinating.  And yes, we are news junkies.  DD likes to point at the TV and say, "hey, the talking heads are on!"  Which actually sounds kind of strange coming out of her mouth.

DD has asked a lot of questions about the presidential race.  Not too long ago, she could tell you all the candidate's names (after the lesser knowns had dropped out -- she's only three, you know) -- Obama, Clinton, Huckabee, McCain, and Romney.  She knows when they have dropped out and reduces her list accordingly, though she was kind of sad that she couldn't say "Huckabee!!!" any more.  That was always good for a laugh for some reason.

There is one candidate (who shall remain nameless) that I've never really liked.  And I made the mistake of mentioning that to DD at some point.  And, since that time, whenever DD has seen that person on television, she tells me who the candidate is, and then she has added "but we don't like [that person]."  That really made me feel bad, and I've pointed out that just because I might not like someone's politics doesn't mean that person is not a good person; I just disagree with that person's positions on certain things.  And, then I tell her to look at all the supporters.  And to look at that person's family standing nearby.  See?  There are lots and lots of people who like that person. I've also pointed out that DD can't just take my opinions and make them her own.  She is going to have to decide for herself.  It's sunk in a little bit.  Now, she will say, "there's [candidate name].  But you don't like [that person].  But lots of other people do."  I guess it's a start.

Yes.  We are very in the moment parents.  Very up to date.  I was just breaking my arm patting myself on the back, as my mom used to say, because all of these things presented so many teaching moments.  Democracy in action.  Agreeing to disagree.  Etc.  Etc.  Etc.

And then, the other day, DD asked:  "Mommy, when are they going to run?"

Blink.

Blink.

Ah, yes.  The presidential race.

I think that we lost something in the translation.

Comments

[DE Mommy]

Race!! (snort! snort!)

that's funny!

My son can read two words easily: his name and Obama!

[Anjali]

That is SO cute!

I hope it is an actual race. That means, surely, my pick for president would win!