How could I EVER think this would be beneficial?

I must have recieved 3 "friendly reminders" that there was NO SCHOOL on Nov. 4th. It's a day to exercise your right to vote, people! Get out there and complete your ballot. Oh, and when you go make sure to take your kids so they can get a nice glimpse of the democratic process.

Okay, makes sense. I'll even take it one step farther and EXPLAIN to my child what's going on. I run through the whole situation blow by blow. I have to. Cause if I don't I'll be bombarded with questions.

Andrew seems interested. Tells me he thinks I should consider running for President. Hell, he even counts off 9 people he knows would vote for me. I also explain to him that voting is a very personal and private decision. You keep it to yourself and you don't ask people who they're voting for. It's rude and it only gets you worked up when you find out they're voting for "the other guy."

I load up the weasels and strategically head to my Precinct at 11 AM. Nerdish Guy Gordon tells me to avoid lunchtime and dinner time cause all the working greggs will be busting up there then.

I pack about 6 cups of Cheerios and throw it in Drive. On the way there, I once again remind Andrew how private voting is. He seems to get it.

We park a good 3/4 a of a mile away and I start to unload the goods. The stroller, the Cheerios, the diaper bag, the 24 pak of gum that Andrew is obsessed about chewing. Grab my wallet, my phone, my planner, my afro pick in case I need to primp prior to voting. We get close to the doors and of course there are greggs shaking hands and trying to persuade you to vote for them. Telling you it's all a lie. He never fell asleep during a trial. he was just resting his eyes. Andrew's blown away and even asks a state rep if he is Obama.

We get in and the line's a hot mess. VERY few kids. More average citizens moaning and groaning about the economy, school system and their spouses. Andrew runs up to the front of the line and one by one starts asking people who they're voting for. If anyone says McCain he tells them, "that's a poor choice. You should probably re-think that."

It's been 7 minutes and a person leaving says she waited an hour to vote. Shit. What can I do? I have to hold out. It's now or never. If I leave, I won't be back.

Katherine starts getting squirrely so I crack open the Cheerios. She gets a hold of the bag and tosses it 5 feet ahead and cheerios are everywhere. Andrew starts rolling laughing and tells Katherin she should do it again. I'm trying to pick up about 2k Cheerios and all of the people in line and completely disgusted with my parenting skills.

Who cares, man? I see some neighbors who give me that smile that says, "Your kids are cute but you look overhwhelmed." Oh, and of course they would never try to help me or strike up a conversation with my son to keep him occupied.

Then I remember all those little pieces of paper sent home in Andrew's backpack. "Take your kids to the polls. Show them what it means to be an American."

I'm just smoking thinking about the dirt that wrote that. Probably some single woman without kids thinking she's on to something REAL big.

We finally make it up to the gym to vote and I do my thing.

We leave and I'm drving home. Andrew says, "Mom you did the right thing by voting and bringing us with you. But I understand all of this. I didn't need to come with you. I know the economy is terrible. People are losing their houses, Mom. People are losing their jobs even. Dad says bosses are getting meaner and meaner and expect too much out of people. But we're safe. You'll never lose YOUR job. We'll always need you to take care of us. I mean we need your dinners and the laundry has to get done. So don't worry, Mom. Our family will be fine."

I came home and emptied the dishwasher.