THE GRINSTEAD FAMILY

POLITICS

Most of you know that I am NOT a political person. I try to avoid political talk with others because I don't like people trying to change my opinion. I respect their opinion, please respect mine. This goes for home too. Scott & I don't talk politics much. I respect his opinion & he respects mine. In fact, I have no idea who he voted for & don't care! We also have made it a point to NOT be openly pro one party/candidate or another in front of the kids & we certainly don't say negative things about them in front of our children. We truly want them to make their own choices.

Rewind about a year, Jake has been following the election since the beginning. He was a Hilary fan. He watched & liked her. I found it fun to see his excitement & knowledge of those in both parties trying to become the candidate. He watched as McCain & Obama got the nod to run for prez. He was bummed about Hilary, but moved on & watched more. He chose his favorite & has stuck by him since he made his decision. Now, remember Jake is in 3rd grade, he's 8. He doesn't understand most of the issues. He gets the basics & his choice is his. I respect it!

Jake learned a hard lesson at school over the past 2 weeks. A child in his class was VERY pro McCain, which Jake was fine with. However, this child kept bothering Jake about his choice for president. Jake simply told him he liked Obama & thought that would be the end of it. WRONG! This 3rd grader went on to tell him that "if Obama wins the world will come to an end" & "Obama is a baby killer" & "Obama lets guys marry guys, that's wrong" & "Obama is an idiot" (who's thoughts do you suppose those are???). Jake tried walking away & the kid would follow Jake & his friends around saying these things & many other things. Jake tried to tell this child HIS reasons for liking Obama & Jake says he didn't trash talk McCain, but this child kept at him.

Jake was bummed about the comments & didn't understand why they couldn't like different people & why nasty things had to be said. He didn't want to play that game. I had a long talk with Jake about avoiding political talk at all costs. I explained, not everyone agrees & everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Your choice of a candidate is YOUR choice & it can be as public or as private as you'd like. He was still bummed that a friend would act this way...welcome to adulthood Jake!

So, yesterday, Jake went to school & this child proceeds to tell him "troops are coming to CF to kill us because Obama is the president". Say what?? Jake's response was beyond his years when he kept his mouth shut & said nothing...he walked away! Go Jake!