government

I was so excited to spend a day at the State Capitol in Olympia with the older children thanks to WHO.

For the boys and I, it was our second trip. Ser'i’s fourth.  During the tour I have to say that I learned more from Seri than I did from the tour guide.

We spent the whole day wandering and then went on a tour of the Governors mansion.

Before we left we headed over to the law library where Seri showed the boys how to look up different laws and then find the book they were contained in. 

We went to the office of our representative but he wasn’t in. Next time I will be more diligent and make an appt.  We watched as an Indian group had a mini pow wow and discussed how different groups come to the capitol to get the attention of their rep or to just remind them who they are serving.

As we left I was filled with gratefulness that my children are familiar with the Capitol campus and have a working knowledge of what goes on there.  Should they ever need or want to go to support an issue or whatever they wont be nearly as intimidated because it is familiar to them already.  It is accessible to them. Tangibly.  They realize that our State Government is their Government and exists in their reality.  It is not an idea or something for someone else to do.  They truly recognize that it is their responsibility to ensure the govt. is working in the best interest of those it serves.

This is so important to me for so many different reasons. I think a lot of people talk about govt. and such, but few see it as something they should be a part of.  Part of my home schooling has to do with my wanting them to be thinkers and leaders.  People who believe they have a voice and a responsibility to act on it rather than just follow what is dictated and leave the acting to someone else.

After coming home the children mentioned to friends that they had gone and I was surprised when all the other children in the group mentioned they had never been to the capitol.  We only live an hour away.  Over the next few weeks I began randomly asking kids (teenagers) if they had been to the campus or even wanted to go.  Must admit I was discouraged by their responses.  I understand we all want different things for our children and that my goals for mine are not necessarily the goals of others.  Still, it is disheartening to realize that a lot of my children's generation are not even in touch personally with their state govt. or politics in general.  It makes me fearful and more dedicated at the same time.