Generation X raising Generation O: Exhibit B

13Nov08

Shortly after the election, Finn and I were shopping for a birthday gift for his cousin at Keplers, our excellent local independent bookstore.  I was browsing books and word games, Finn was plopped in front of the craft and toy section, which included many coveted items, like a “paint your own race car” set…

But on our way up to the register, Finn stopped dead in his tracks and pointed wide-eyed at a volume tucked away on the shelving under the display tables, right smack in the center of his sight-line

“Obama!” he exclaimed, for maybe the 20th time that day–yard signs being in abundance in our neck of hte woods.

I squatted down next to him and saw a handsome book with a cover illustration of the White House.

“What are you looking at?” I prodded.

“That the White House!” he said. “That where Obama lives!” Then he paused and looked thoughtful for a second. “He there yet?”

“Not yet,” I said, “but soon.”

I thumbed quickly through the book, which is an excellent compilation of illustrations and stories about the First Family’s home.  It quickly rose to the top of my “must-have” books for Ella and FInn.  It’s a fun and literate way to continue to connect them to the President-elect they love so much, and to begin to educate them in an accessible way about the history of the Office.   Why not capitalize on their enthusiasm?  Or more precisely, on my own.  If I’m teaching my kids how to eat, and how to sleep, and how to dress themselves and cross the street, and about their church and larger communities, why not seize this opportunity, and teach them a little about democracy, too?

But I had already surpassed my book budget for the day, so I will be leaving a note for Santa.

Filed under: children's books, mothering, politics   |  1 Comment
Tags: "Our White House", Barack Obama, kids and politics, white house