Conversations...

Hannah: "We voted in school today."
Me: "Oh yeah, who did you vote for?"
Hannah: "I voted for Barack Obama."
Me: "Oh really, tell me how you decided?"
Hannah: "Well, he wants to end the war."
Me: "Well, both candidates want to end the war, Hannah, they just plan on doing it differently."
Hannah: "Well, Obama wants to raise taxes and I like that."
Me: "Okay, but that would mean less money that we can bring home and more money to the government."
Hannah: "But the government pays for roads and schools and highways and furniture."

(If only government did pay for furniture. I would have a sweet looking house!)

Me: "Who did you vote for Jake?"
Jake: "John McCain. Even though there were only two of us that voted for him and Brian says he wants to kill more people in the war."
Me: "I hope you know that isn't true. No candidate wants that!"
Jake: "Oh, I know. He seems really nice and I like his smile in his picture. And he stands like this." (Jake poses with his hands on hips, chest puffed up, like Superman).

Whatever the reasons, I was impressed with their little convictions. Second Grade! Wow! It makes you wonder what they are taught in the classroom, although much I'm sure is regurgitated from the parents to their kids and then on to the playground. They have sensitive little ears and they are truly listening! It further convinced me the importance of what we teach our kids in our home and that we are entrusted to give them the best foundation possible of values and beliefs--of divine worth and love and service and virtue and morals and convictions--to help them make the big (and little) choices they will face in their life. They are going to form their opinions from somewhere and I would rather it come from my influence and our family values, than the playground or even the classroom. This is my responsibility and my divine role, my right, and my privilege. Pretty exciting (and daunting)!