Rock the Vote

And the winner is:

  

chocolate chip.

We're big on voting around here. I mean the kind of day-to-day voting that teaches a child that everyone has a choice and each opinion counts. Some recent hotly-contested races include:

    Which movie to watch on movie night?

    Oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookies?

    Vanilla ice cream or mint chocolate chip?

    Blueberry or chocolate chip pancakes?

(I am realizing now that many of the campaigns have included chocolate chips. That may be my son's political influence...)

With the help (yet again) of our handy-dandy clipboard, we make tally marks to weigh-in on the household issues where the final decision is up for grabs. (We don't, for instance, weigh-in on weather or not to brush our teeth, or what time to go to bed.)

This post may seem glib considering the enormous decision our country is making today. But, for kids, the freedom to choose is a big deal. And for parents too. When my children are teenagers, I can't think of anything I'd find more reassuring than to feel that they are good decision-makers. The first time they ask to borrow the keys, and leave to meet their friends, what could be more important than their ability to make good choices?

Providing opportunities for children to exercise their freedom of choice definitely does not mean kids rule. Too much choice is overwhelming for a child, and unsettling, to say the least. But offering a couple of options, when appropriate, helps children learn the difference between the laws of life (like wearing a seat belt) and the choices (like wearing a blue shirt or a red one).  

So when we decided to make cookies today, as sustenance before hitting our local village hall to cast our ballot, we put it to the vote. Cinnamon or chocolate chip. I started campaigning for cinnamon early on. But Gracie was the swing vote, and she waved her arms wildly when Jack said chocolate chip (although I think the jumping, wiggling dance he did while polling her may have furthered his cause).

It's all smoke and mirrors, isn't it? I demand a re-count.

Comments

[katie fuller]

so true and so funny! thanks for this post and all your posts. i just found your blog this week and am enjoying it VERY much!!!
blessings from tx
katie

[Michie]

I'm all about choices, but I think that comes from the special education teacher in me. Some things aren't a choice, but let me give you as much choice as possible. Plus, for the kids I work with at school, choice making is important, because so often people just do things for them. I think this carried over to my parenting style. :) Plus, it helps teach how to make decisions - something I struggle with as an adult.

[romilla]

I have observed with my neice that if she is asked to vote and given two options,usually the answer is the second/last option.