As parents, we do the best we can to raise our kids to survive in a world beyond the security of their parent’s home. We teach them safety, to help around the house, the value of volunteering in the community, and how to treat others.
Personally, I started to get involved in political issues late in my 20’s and from 2014-2018, my activism led me to serve as an elected school board trustee.
My kids were only 8 and 6 when I took office, but I tried to engage them in various aspects of that life from helping me canvas, attending campaign launches, and eventually bringing them to a meeting later in my term.
Our girls do like to debate a variety of political and social subjects, and have dipped into activism at the ecucation level by co-creating safe spaces or starting the first pride day at their school.
In Canada – as you have likely heard – we offer medical assistance in dying or MAID. I remember my father stating many years ago that we offer these medicines to animals, so why didn’t we offer the same dignity to humans?
MAID became legal in 2016, but there have been many brining to our attention that it is being used too often for disabled people living in poverty and now, the discussion is to extend eligibility to mature minors, at least 12 years of age.
This set my eldest – who has suffered extensivility with mental health herself – off into a written rage. She has now sent letters to both our provincial and federal elected representatives.
It’s not about telling our kids what to think or how to think, but giving them the strength and courage to grow their own opinions and fight for what they believe in.
That’s my girl.