We will teach them...

Ooftah. It's Wednesday, November 9, 2016 and the world is waking up after what may be the craziest presidential election to date. Maybe I'm just tired - between checking election results and my kids waking up 243414 times last night - I'm a little emotional today. I must be legitimately out of my mind because I'm typing a blogpost that involves such a hot topic, which I never ever do... I tend to keep my opinions to my self when it comes to the nitty-gritty of politics.

But it honestly affected me more than I thought it would. This was my first time voting for a presidential candidate as a mother and that was not lost on me. I paid attention. I tried to gain as much factual knowledge as I could so when it was time to vote, I made an educated choice on behalf of my children's future. To me, the choice was clear. I took my girls with me as I cast my vote for the first woman President of the United States. I explained to Gracyn what we were doing and she exclaimed, "but I want to be president, too!" while Leighton waved at the election workers from her stroller, eating her sticker. It was a proud moment.

I didn't vote for Clinton out of sisterhood or because she was a woman. I voted for her because, in my opinion, she was the {only} qualified candidate to actually run the country. I voted for her because she was closest thing that aligned with my beliefs and issues that were important to me and my family and because I believe in voting for someone who isn't a fucking asshole.

It goes deeper than that, obviously, but I'm not here to discuss policies because that's not the point of this post. Americans cast their vote and made their choice. My girl didn't win. Instead, we are left with someone who got to the top by bullying his way through our country, hurling racist and sexist phrases along the way. How do you explain that to your kids? How do you explain that to your DAUGHTERS? That a self-admitted sexual predator who spewed nothing but hate his entire campaign will now be the leader of the free world?

I'm actually thankful my girls are too young to understand what this all means, mostly because I can't begin to explain something I don't understand myself. My eyes well up with tears as I think about what lies ahead for our country because there has never been a precedent for this. I understand the need for a shake-up but, really? Donald Trump was the answer? I have a very hard time believing that. Either way, I have a few years before I'll need to have these types of discussions with the kids and hopefully, at that point, we'll have a better grasp on what a Trump presidency looks like.

In the meantime, I am choosing to focus on how their father and I go about raising decent humans amidst the very icky feeling that is looming over me this morning. 


We will continue teaching them that LOVE wins, even when it doesn't seem like it. In the long run, LOVE is so much more powerful than hate.

We will continue teaching them that everyone deserves respect, even when you think their actions tell you otherwise and we won't tolerate anything less.

We will continue to teach them the color of your skin or your religious beliefs or your sexual orientation does not matter. Everyone is equal and deserves the same rights and the fact that it's 2016 and we're still discussing some of these issues is straight up maddening.

We will teach them to advocate for others, that when they see a kid being bullied to stand up for them. To get help. To make a difference. To be kind and understanding. To use common sense and to not be hateful.

We will teach them that they are not entitled to anything, to work hard, to show up, to be accountable and to be a good friend.

We will teach them that yes, they can become President one day. They can become anything they want to be because we've come this far and refuse to let anything stop us. We will tell them they can have families and careers, if that's what they want, and that they deserve to be paid the same as their male counterparts and to never settle for anything less.

We will teach them that NO ONE, despite what history is apparently and shockingly telling them, may ever grab them by the pussy. And if someone does, God help their soul, that they go running and shout it from the mountaintops so that person can be brought to justice. Their bodies are theirs alone and they do not have to live with the burden of sexual assault that so many women live with today. We will talk about what it means but that it does not define them and get them whatever help they need to overcome the stigma that comes along with being a victim.

We will continue to tell them that we love them and that we will protect them and do everything we can to help them succeed.

The world feels pretty scary right now but that won't stop me from trying to make it a better place. I can do my part by making sure my girls grow up knowing right from wrong, become productive members of society and spread love along the way.

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."
― Mother Teresa

12 comments

  1. Love you beyond the words I know to express ... may the stones and ripples grow until love endures.

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  2. What a great post, Mackenzie!! Thanks for sharing what you and so many others are feeling this morning. And yep, all we can do is raise our little humans the best way we know how!

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  3. I have seen a few people saying things that are similar to this. I don't know how we (and by we I refer to we the British also) have managed to mess things up so much - our children are definitely the future and I only hope they learn the things that we clearly didn't. Politics wasn't a big deal when growing up in my education but I will make sure that my daughter cares more than I did growing up. It is important - we do need to talk about it.

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  4. I needed this. I am so glad to hear that the world has mothers like you my daughter Gina that is raising great kids. The future looks brighter to me now.

    Bernie Medley

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  5. I am new to reading your blog and have to say I think this post was so amazingly written -THANK YOU!

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  6. I’m a woman that likes to see both sides of the coin, so I’ve read many blog posts in support of Hilary, the devastation and heartbreak are overwhelming, and I will admit your post brought me to tears. I’ve been an emotional wreck since election night. I’ve read the other blogs that support Trump, and I don’t hate anyone, I respect people's opinions, wants and desires, but it blows my mind when people, especially woman rationalize about Trump and his sexist, racist, bullying and downright insulting statements. I want a different government also, I want change; I’m tired of a lot of policy that just isn’t working, but I fully believe Hillary Clinton was the only qualified candidate running. The fact that this man is our Commander in Chief, he represents me, is terrifying :( . Thank you for being brave enough to share your thoughts. This too shall pass :)

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  7. I love this. Took the words right out of my mouth. I find comfort in knowing I am not the only woman (daughter, wife, mother, friend) that is feeling so wrung out after the results of Tuesday. I have shed many tears and will shed many more but I have also made the resolve to be more involved, do good deeds and to teach my little girl to not take any shit and to stand up for those that need a voice. Thank you for putting yourself out there like this. Sister on.

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  8. Thank you for writing this. It hit me hard on Wednesday-- all of it. With stuff going on at work and having a daughter (and 2 sons) this time made everything a little more raw. I had a feeling inside me that I've never felt before as a woman and I pray everyday that my daughter will never have to feel it!!

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  9. Bummer. I happened upon your blog and was enjoying reading about happenings with your 2 young children - just as my life is filled with adventures with my 2. Then I scrolled to this post... :( there is something about going along thinking hey, we are a lot alike... she's a mom who loves her kids and husband with all she is, she's doing her best to make a good life for all of them and document it so there is record of all the early years... and then WHAM... brick wall! She had to go there politically. Now I know more about this person then I wanted to know. Now... I am positive she and I have very little in common after all. Boo. How I wish liberals would just shut up and stop ruining... EVERYTHING!
    link to this blog deleted from my list.

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    1. I'm sorry you feel that way and sorrier that you felt like you couldn't leave a name or email so we could discuss things further. In the end, it goes way past political parties- it's about humanity. I think as moms, we would both agree that our goal at the end of the day is to raise good humans. I feel you can also disagree with someone and still relate to them on a personal level at the same time. But, obviously, to each their own. I wish you nothing but the best.

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