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Politics
Original poster

taking the kids to vote?

74 replies

Downdog · 05/05/2010 17:25

I'm thinking of taking DD along when I vote.

She is only young (2.5) but very bright and well aware (in her own way) of what is going on, and how we are all making a big collective decision etc etc.

Are you taking yours?

OP posts:
Exogenesis · 05/05/2010 17:30

I will be taking DD (4) with me on the way to nursery and we will chat about it ect. She came last time when she was 2 ish for local election here and loved it even if she didn't really get what it was all about

alarkaspree · 05/05/2010 17:30

Oh god. I haven't even mentioned the election to my children. We don't live in the UK and voted by post, it just hadn't occurred to me to discuss it with them.

When the US elections happened we discussed it and dd's school did loads of election activities (voting on what colour playdough to make!)

Well I think it's a good idea to take your dd anyway.

wannaBe · 05/05/2010 17:33

ds said he wants to come so I will probably go on my way to school (voting is in the church), although as kids aren't allowed in the voting booth not really sure what the point is..

IngridFletcher · 05/05/2010 17:34

I was going to take all three, aged 2 to 7.

hana · 05/05/2010 17:35

eh? not consciously taking dd, but I'm not working and we'll walk to the polling booth together. not sure a 3 year old really needs to know what is going on!

IngridFletcher · 05/05/2010 17:36

Mind you, I have no choice unless I go after DH gets home since the school is closed.

simpson · 05/05/2010 17:36

was planning to take DD (2) with me anyway and found out today (in fairness he missed last friday) that DS's (4) school is closed so will have to take him too otherwise I won't get to vote.

DS does seem quite interested in the whole thing so is bound to ask loads of questions etc...

Molesworth · 05/05/2010 17:37

DD is coming with me. Mind you, she's 19 on Friday so this is the momentous occasion of her First Vote

compo · 05/05/2010 17:37

'She is only young (2.5) but very bright and well aware (in her own way) of what is going on, and how we are all making a big collective decision etc etc. ' really ?!!!

Wordsonascreen · 05/05/2010 17:38

dcs (last election so 4 and 2 irrc) came with me to vote (and stood at the back of the village hall though I doubt the old ladies overviewing would have minded them standing by the voting booth. it takes about a minute to scrawl a cross so I didn't think twice about it TBH.if they'd have played up I would have come back later.

They're at school now so I'll wander over after the school drop off.

KristinaM · 05/05/2010 17:38

oh yes, i always take mine to vote. esp when they are school age and can understand the basics of what's going on

i explain that women died so that i could vote today and how people in some other places still do not have a vote

Wordsonascreen · 05/05/2010 17:40

Reading the OP again they didn't have a clue what was going on.

Good luck with your future William Hague

PutThatDownNow · 05/05/2010 17:40

I will take the DSs (8 and 10) with me, as I think it's important they understand about elections and how important it is to vote. Am afraid may have overdone it a bit this time - DS1 can now give an (IMHO) excellent explanation of hung Parliaments.

Lonicera · 05/05/2010 17:40

one year my cat came to the polling booth with me.

I don't think he's really interested in politics though

MrsWobbleTheWaitress · 05/05/2010 17:42

My DD1 (nearly 7) wants to come, but I think that I may end up having to take all four of them, which will be interesting! They're all pretty well behaved though - will strap the toddler onto my back, and the other three will stick right by me if I tell them too - they're great in important situations like that.

Wordsonascreen · 05/05/2010 17:45

Downdog... all will be fine as long as you don't do loud parenting.

A few whispered "Oh look Jocasta this is why we need proportional representation" and remarks on boundary changes should suffice.

weblette · 05/05/2010 17:46

Dh is taking the older two (10 and 8) when he goes down at 7.15 pre-work, I'll take the younger two (6 and 2) when I take them to school.

BeenBeta · 05/05/2010 17:48

Yes, we will take ours after school. Both DSs understand what is going on with politics on TV so much and we think it is important they see what casting an actual vote is like.

bratnav · 05/05/2010 17:49

All 4 of them

whomovedmychocolate · 05/05/2010 17:49

I always take them. Tis fun as they try and goose people who are in the little booths. DD kept asking last time if they were all getting their photos taken behind the curtains and if she could have a go.

squeaver · 05/05/2010 17:53

Yes and I am CERTAIN I will be hearing loud parenting while there.

I'm sure I will be starting a thread.

Cogitoergosum · 05/05/2010 17:53

Ohhh, hehehe at taking a 2yr old and discussing the 'collective decision'. Ridiculous

I seem to remember in the dim and distant past taking a toddler and a baby with me, not to discuss my options by the way, but because I had no choice.

They'll be at school tomorrow, thankfully.

whomovedmychocolate · 05/05/2010 18:06

I love loud parenting in those circs though Squeaver 'no darling you can't colour it in. Tarquin, no do not open the curtain, no, come back, I need to do my civic duty, it's important mummy has to do this to make sure you get a decent education, oh for god sake, will you just stand there for two minutes if I give you a button when we get home?'

MrsLiberalTheWaitress · 05/05/2010 18:07

Yeah, and OP, are you serious????

Because, quite frankly, I think she's a bit behind - my DD4 is 19 months and has a lot of opinions on who she thinks I ought to be voting for.

whomovedmychocolate · 05/05/2010 18:12

Suspect the OP may be the one doing the loud parenting tomorrow