We eat our lunch together, as we always do. Emily makes the same exact request as she always does- a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, a few chips, applesauce, and lemonade. She dips her fingers in the applesauce, just as she does every single day, and is eating it off her fingers. I try to guide her to use the spoon, just as I always do, and settle in next to her.
The scenery is different today though. We are watching the inauguration of our new President and she watches in awe of the fanfare, the tiny people waving their American flags, and wiggles in time to the music. She even attempts to hum along to the music and, for some strange reason, my independent little girl asks if I will hold her as we watch.
And I watch, with tears streaming down my face, as our President makes his speech. I feel hope in my heart for our country. This isn’t a political stance for me, but a hope that the changing of the guards will bring new ideas and new opportunities for our country. A hope that we can turn this economy around for our family, our friends, those we don’t even know. That life could be better. The possibility for what the future could hold. An undeniable hope.
Yes, some things remain the same and some things, they are changing.
Did you watch the inauguration with your children or are you discussing this historic day with them? Any family nights planned? I would love to hear what you are doing today and what you are talking about with your kids!
My kids and I watched the ceremony. We are very concerned about the positions Pres. Obama will take on issues that are important to our family, esp the military and the unborn. We do respect Pres. Obama, but will be watching closely as these issues and others are addressed over the next four years. Disagreement does not mean disrespect, though. We talked a lot about what a hard job the President has, especially in times of turmoil.
My six year old said the funniest thing while we were watching, he said, “I’m glad we don’t live there.” There meaning D.C., he was sad when I informed him that we do in fact live there, lol! The inauguration was taking place less than a 1/2 hour from our house! The other kids got a big laugh out of that one!
Toni
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I’m feel very much the same as The Happy Housewife. I disagree with many of Obama’s positions, but will stress to my children that they need to speak about the President with respect. Regardless of his positions, it takes a strong man to take leadership of the United States.
We’ll also be talking about what a historic day it is that a minority has been elected President. I think the fact that the United States has come so far in the last 50 years is something we can all celebrate.
But for now, I’m watching all the fanfare by myself. Hubby is at work, and the kiddos are at school.
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Amy, your words mean so much! Thank you…for sharing positive thoughts on our new president. There are so many that have been speaking out against Obama, including my own husband, that it is so nice to know that I wasn’t the only one snuggling with my daughter as tears ran down my face watching this amazing and historic event take place! Here’s to hope and progress. Kudos my friend.
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We watched the inauguration. My children are 14, 12 & 9 and we also provide childcare for two 2 year olds. It was awesome to see the traditions and the ceremonial fanfare. I did not vote for President Obama but accept the fact that he did win the election and wanted my children to witness the inauguration. We will respect him and as leader of our country. I would have had them watch it no matter who won. This important day will be in their minds forever and they can tell their children and grandchildren about it some day.
We had some printouts about the inauguration and will add them to our history notebooks. This was history in the making.
Have a great day!
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I too disagree with many of Obama’s positions, and will be watching very closely as issues important to me are addressed.
He deserves respect as our president, but the fanatical worship some people are giving him scares me. A lot.
I did not watch the ceremonies. I’ve never watched them.
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yes, my husband’s at work, and my older son is at school, but my four year old son and I had an “auguration party.” French toast with bananas, hot chocolate….and my son wanted us to stand when Obama took the oath. Maybe I have a future president here????
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The Man-Cub’s at school today and they’ll watch it there – I can’t wait to pick him up and hear all that he has to say about his new President.
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We did some special activities yesterday and read about MLK with our kids to give them a bit more historical perspective on today. They are 7, 5, 4, 2 and baby so I don’t know how much they got out of it.
We traced their hands on paper and colored them and wrote ideas for ways we can serve others (use our “helping hands.”)
I watched some of the speech with my oldest and I think he understands a bit of what’s happening. This week we’re doing some diversity dinners with meals from countries and talking about how our country has people from so many lands. We’re using some fun recipes like hummus, pad thai, homemade pizza, tacos, etc. We’re tying in our service ideas, and sharing that we want to help people around the world as well as people closer to home.
Thank you for your blog, I always enjoy reading it!
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Such creative ideas for sharing this day with your kids. I also have to say that one thing I truly love about my readers is the love & respect that I have always felt from you. Thank you for sharing so candidly how you feel about this historic day and what you are doing with your children to share about it.
I don't know if my son saw the speech at school so I recorded it for him. He was very excited about today and "Three Kings Day" which I think must have been a cartoon spin on MLK Day. We have lots to talk about tonight
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My kids are at school today and I’m working so no, I didn’t watch it. I’m nuetral politically so this day is not special to me. And I know that soon, just like every other President, Obama will be criticized for not keeping his promises.
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Amy, you don’t have to post this comment but I wanted to comment how brave you were to step out with this post!! I think all of the comments so far are well “spoken” and not antagonistic at all, which you know can happen when you start talking politics!! Shows what type of readers you have and how you build a place where people can be open without fearing repercussions from anyone.
Kudos
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While you have hope, I have fear (which I am praying to overcome), but I am praying for our new president, and I always teach my children to respect the position, even when we disagree with the policy.
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My almost 4 month old son LOVES to watch TV. We did watch the inauguration this morning as well which held his attention for the most part. I think he just likes to watch people.
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Lori- That means a lot for you to say. I try to position (and admittedly guard myself)on a very neutral plane often on here. I love my readers though and for me this is a hopeful day for our country. I know it isn’t for everyone and I agree that I also have as many trepidations as the next person. What I hope though is to show my kids how historic a moment like this is for our country .
No matter who would have got in office, I would be doing the same exact thing that I am doing now- sitting here praying for our leader!
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I watched the ceremony with my little guy- he gave me a sweet perspective on reality- http://tinyurl.com/82yre4.
Jenn
http://www.OneHouseSchoolroom.com
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Jenn- That just made my eyes well up. What a beautiful picture and a sincere response. Thank you for sharing that!
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My kids, although they are young, have been very much a part of this political process in my house. They were with me as I pushed them in the stroller to get out the vote the day before election, they asked me about my t-shirt when I supported my candidate, and my oldest tenderly asked why I was crying as we listened to the coverage today (we don’t watch TV). He said “Mommy are you sad?” And I said, “No, honey. Mommy is very very happy. Mommy is filled with hope for your future and mine.” And he said “Yay! I am going to tell my teacher it is inauguration day!”
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My boys didn’t watch the ceremony – they were at Nana’s. I caught part of it while running into WalMart.
While I am concerned about A LOT of things with this presidency (and would have been no matter who was elected) I agree that the only thing to do is pray!
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At first my daughter was just upset that the inauguration preempted Dragon Tales, but she came around when Barack came out and when Aretha sang. I know that Barack kept his speech toned down, but I loved Rev. Lowery’s benediction at the end. I thought he blew both Rick Warren and Bishop Robinson right out of the water. Someone needs to tell the crowd that you don’t cheer for a prayer though.
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I was not able to share this inauguration moment with the grandkids as they were in school. However, this is a special moment for my grandchildren as it shows that they as a black child growing up they will be able to dream of being president someday if they so choose.
I did however I did record it so that we can watch it as a family later this evening after my daughter and sil get home from work and the grandchildren get home from school.
I am hoping that changing of the guard will improve the economy and etc to benefit the people of the US
Vicki *Wheezymom*
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My kids are too young to get it although I tried with my almost 4 year old. I think the whole inauguration was fantastic! It was moving and I bawled like a baby witnessing this special historica moment. I fear that people are putting too many expectations and hopes are this mere human but we’ll see how it all unfolds.
Not intending to stir dissension but I do believe people cheering in regards to a prayer is essentially an “amen”-I see nothing wrong with that and everything right with that.
take care!
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Ha! I come from a quiet church background so I admire when people pray with gusto as I sit quietly
I, remain quiet though, as that is how I feel comfortable in prayer. I think it must be the different church backgrounds coming into play with that one.
Vicki- What a great moment for your grandchildren and so many other children in the world. I love that!
I am truly loving this discussion!
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So well, said Amy. My husband I were in the car during inauguration.. on our way home from refinancing our mortgage. What a powerful message of hope and change! Things can only get better!
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We watched it as part of school this am. It was a good convo w/ the boys. They knew who we voted for, so they were ready to boo. But, we talked about having an open mind, about watching what a person does once they have responsibilities, etc. I can’t say that I have “hope” in our government, re of which candidate had won. But, I do have hope that God will do great things with and for His world and His people.
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I watched the inauguration with my three sons, ages 4, 3 and 1. My four year old was very excited through the whole election season. I cried as well, knowing that our country will be better for my children, that there is more tolerance and hope. I am very excited and I was very moved by the ceremony.
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My son is only 5 months old and too young to understand the graveity of world and the importance of this event. But I did write him a letter to explain to him why this inauguration means so much to me and what I pray it will mean for him. I wanted to explain to him the joy and hope that has been expressed, how a man inspired a nation of people to not only be better citizens but to make a difference for the future. I wanted my sweet son to know that my vote for Barack Obama wasn’t just about the new president, but for the hope that the world would one day be a better place than the one he was born into.
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I tried explaining the President to my three year old. He didn’t really get the whole “Boss of the nation” thing, but he did understand the name Barack Obama and ran around screaming it. My own little preschool symbol of hope.
Laurie
http://www.themotherloadblog.blogspot.com
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I was sad to read that this day was not special for one of the commenters. What struck me today as I watched the inauguration was just the taken-for-granted fact that we have a stable government and have just had another peaceful election and change of power. It is really an amazing thing. It goes way beyond political party.
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Hi Amy,
Wow you have so many fantastic responses, from both ‘sides’! I’m happy to see that those who may be worried or not as happy about this election (myself included) have responded to your post with nothing but respect and sincerity. It is a powerful thing to see a post and comments which may be in disagreement from one another come off so respectfully! I applaud all of those who have written in such a way.
This is a big moment in our history and for that I am celebrating. I do worry about many positions that our new president has. Although, I did not vote for him, I’m cautiously optimistic. (I would be regardless of who won the presidency – there is much work to do!) That would be the toughest job to have, if you ask me! I wish him all the best and will keep him in my prayers as he leads our country. (And I’m hoping to watch some clips of it this evening online. I tried earlier but nothing was working.)
What Tamara said is such a nice reminder for each of us of the blessings we have in this country, regardless of political party. It’s not to be taken for granted.
~ Jennifer
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We celebrated last night with MUCH pomp and circumstance! See my post here about all we did! Today we couldn’t be together because of work and school, but we re-watched the swearing in and speech together as a family on video.
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I am feeling very afraid of what is ahead. I am trying to be positive, but I don’t think this will be a good change for our country at all. But, it is helping me to lean more on God and strengthening my faith in Him.
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Three of the four of us watched it where we were — school, work, home. Our youngest (12) didn’t get to see it; I was disappointed that the school didn’t take advantage of this historic day.
Although not all Americans voted for him, I do believe that all Americans realize the need (and want) for a change. I believe that as citizens of this great nation, it is our civic duty to support and encourage our leaders; basically, it’s we should show respect for the person and the office which they hold. As I watched the past/current/ and future presents enter the inauguration, I thought how wonderful it is that for a day, just one day, they can put their differences aside and join together. If the rest of us could do that, can you imagine what we could accomplish as a united force?
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My 6.5 year old daughter and I watched the inauguration yesterday. She knows that Daddy and Mommy did not vote for this president, but as other posters have indicated it’s important for her to learn respect and the best way to learn that is for us to demonstrate it. I could not control the tears that streamed down my face. I felt so overwhelmed by the history of the moment and the privilege of living in this free country with a peaceful transfer of power. I will pray for our new president and for his family — with great responsibility comes great accountability. He will need our prayers.
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My son and I watched together. He is three and a half and didn’t quite grasp the whole thing but I felt myself feeling very patriotic as I tried to explain it all. I taught him some patriotic tunes and we sang all afternoon.
It was nice.
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I know this is late. Just wanted to say that my son is almost 2 and he gets so excited when Barack comes on TV. He doesn’t really care for TV but he stops and listens when Barack speaks. He points him out and grunts until you acknowledge that it’s Barack Obama! He really enjoyed the Inauguration, as did I!!
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