Below is a letter that Isabelle, the daughter of my online mommy friend Sharon, wrote to President Bush for a school project. It was published in their school newsletter. (By the way, I am pretty impressed that the 1st Amendment is alive and well... in our school system, at least). Sharon swears that she has not been brainwashing the child, even though Isabelle's sentiments are definitely shared by Sharon and her husband.
Which makes me go back to an old thought that has been percolating through my brain. How do children pick up on such things? Are they born liberal or conservative, or are they made? If you look at my family - I had a very conservative father (who admittedly was an abusive alcoholic who died when I was 11, so he may not be the best example for this discussion) and a slightly conservative mother (although, on many issues, she is pretty liberal when you get right down to it)... and my sister and I turned out to be vastly on the crunchy side of things. How did that happen? Was my mother just open-minded enough to let us think differently than her? Did we have other friendships that influenced us? (Seeing as I can't remember my childhood, I wouldn't know). Did Karrie and I just have a sleeping "liberal gene?"
It will be interesting to see how Declan grows. At 4, we haven't ever even mentioned the war to him... However, I am scheduled to do a soldier box for a friend's husband in a few weeks, so I am sure we will start a discussion about it then (the G-rated version, of course). Which is mainly how Isabelle has heard about the war herself - as her progressive parents sent packages to support the troops.
It will definitely be interesting to watch.
(click to see larger image)
P.S. As our other friend Erika said, I am highly amused at the all-caps. Like she was seriously YELLING at Bush. Way the go, Isabelle. Oh, and in case you are wondering... the President has not replied yet.
Which makes me go back to an old thought that has been percolating through my brain. How do children pick up on such things? Are they born liberal or conservative, or are they made? If you look at my family - I had a very conservative father (who admittedly was an abusive alcoholic who died when I was 11, so he may not be the best example for this discussion) and a slightly conservative mother (although, on many issues, she is pretty liberal when you get right down to it)... and my sister and I turned out to be vastly on the crunchy side of things. How did that happen? Was my mother just open-minded enough to let us think differently than her? Did we have other friendships that influenced us? (Seeing as I can't remember my childhood, I wouldn't know). Did Karrie and I just have a sleeping "liberal gene?"
It will be interesting to see how Declan grows. At 4, we haven't ever even mentioned the war to him... However, I am scheduled to do a soldier box for a friend's husband in a few weeks, so I am sure we will start a discussion about it then (the G-rated version, of course). Which is mainly how Isabelle has heard about the war herself - as her progressive parents sent packages to support the troops.
It will definitely be interesting to watch.
(click to see larger image)
P.S. As our other friend Erika said, I am highly amused at the all-caps. Like she was seriously YELLING at Bush. Way the go, Isabelle. Oh, and in case you are wondering... the President has not replied yet.
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