Some lessons can't be learned in a classroom

Not all lessons can be learned in a classroom. So today, I took Peaches up to the state capital to see everything that is going on.  We missed the big rally, but that ended up being ok. We spent about an hour observing the protests that were going on. I really encouraged her to be a "news reporter" for her class. I brought her there with a notepad and a pen. She took some notes while I took some photos.

Why did I bring her?  First of all, I never had an interest in going to a protest. I never really had any deep interest in politics. Actually, in high school, I was quoted as saying, "a cat could be president for all I care". I have always relied on other people to make my decisions for me. (I'm kind of lazy like that). I guess I have always thought, nothing was ever going to change drastically and if it was going to, the majority of people would stop it from happening. After years of never voting, my dear husband had finally got me to vote for a president (twice now).

I am finding that being a parent is changing me. It is making me want to be a better person and a person who will stand up for the future generations to come.  I feel like I need to set a better role model. I need to appreciate my freedoms and what people before me have done to guarantee my freedoms.

I brought Peaches for a few different reasons. She has just recently finished a whole social studies lesson on the state of Wisconsin. She was able to see the capital building, Miss Wisconsin and Forward. It's important that lessons are "real" and not just textbooks. She could experience some of the protest (which was peaceful and very calm by the time we got there). She will have that experience to relate to for future history lessons to come. I also wanted her to get an appreciation of what people go through to fight for our freedoms.  She may never be a "union" member, but people have marched on her behalf already.

Woman's Suffrage. Equality of Rights.  Yeah, she benefited from them. More than I have. People didn't show up to their jobs and sacrificed on her behalf so that now she has the opportunity to go to her school and to have the friends that she has. She can grow up and choose to vote. I stood watching the group and grew a deeper appreciation for the people that gave this precious gift to her.