Kids have political say, but area parents cast own votes

Caroline Kennedy, in endorsing Barack Obama for president, specifically mentioned her children and their enthusiasm for Obama as being a factor.

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania has endorsed Obama, too, and mentioned that he was urged to do so by his children. (I've read of some other political reasons, as well, but it sure makes a fun news story if it's because of his kids.)

And Jonathan Alter of "Newsweek" magazine, in writing about why his politically involved Chicago mother voted for Obama, wrote that as she witnessed her grandchildren's enthusiasm for the process, she began to think that this election was more about them and their future, that the next president was for them. Her vote was not for her, Jonathan Alter wrote of his mother's reasoning. "It was for her grandkids."

Which brings me to these questions: What is going on here? When did the kids get to make the decisions in the household? Conversations about politics is one thing, a healthy, educational thing, I'd add. But allowing your children to influence your vote to the extent that you don't cast a vote for yourself?

Do parents let kids influence the rules of the house in other ways? To my children's regret, the adults in our house don't think Senior Skip Day is a school holiday, despite their enthusiasm.

And my kids' enthusiasm for sleeping until after noon has yet to make an dent on my parental conclusion that an appearance before noon, even in summer, is a good thing.

On election day, my youngest child wore her "Obama for yo' mama" T-shirt. Much to her dismay, Obama may be for her mama, but her mama did not return the sentiment -- or the vote. "When you're 18, you can vote," I told her. In fact, for some time before the election, once I'd made up my mind, I pointed out that I could tell her anything, but when it came time to pull the lever, well, it is a secret ballot, after all.

Are local parents letting their children influence their vote?

One friend said she doesn't even let her husband influence her vote.

Others had similar thoughts.

"Not in my house," said Margret Mundo of Geneva, emphatically. "I rule the roost when it comes to politics."

And it's an involved family that includes elected officials in the family tree. So have her children, which includes 13-year-old Nickolas and 15-year-old Victoria -- ages ripe for becoming involved in the political process -- tried to influence Margret's political thinking?

"They wouldn't dare," laughed Mundo.

Mundo's cousin, Jeanne Burley of Naperville, offered that her 9-year-old daughter Olivia is advocating on behalf of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"She said, 'There should be more girls in charge of stuff,' " said Burley with a laugh.

The source of Olivia's angst is playground basketball. There aren't enough girls to form a full team, so the girls play with the boys. Olivia's complaint: "Boys makes all the rules, and they cheat." So having a woman in charge of the country could mitigate that power imbalance, in Olivia's view.

And has there been any influence from the four children -- from a freshman in high school on down -- in the Geneva household of Jimmy and Renee Wood?

"No," said Renee, emphatically. "We are influencing them."

There's been lots of discussion, lots of paying attention to the campaign, she said. "For the very first time, we're watching closely, talking about the issues. We are heavily into it."

How about the Brognia family, which includes a high school freshman, and sixth- and fourth-graders? "No, not in our house," confirmed Sue Brognia.

"We've not discussed it," said Genevan Bob Langeness, of his children and grandchildren. With him and wife Joyce, at least, the younger members of the family haven't expressed interest in the election or the candidates.

Some of his grandchildren, he said with a smile, "are more hot and bothered about getting their driver's licenses."

The final chapter in this election has yet to be written. John McCain will be the Republicans' nominee, but there's no decision yet on the Democratic side. And the election is more than six long months away.

In the meantime, just think how many young people are still sharpening their rhetorical skills. They're becoming involved, they're learning about the issues, they're letting their voices be heard.

And really, how can that be a bad thing? Even if someone's mamma didn't vote for Obama.