Mihow

Voting As A Primary Caregiver.

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Mihow
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Here in New York we weren’t allowed to hit the polls early. I’m anticipating long lines tomorrow. I’m wondering how other stay-at-home-moms are doing it (or have done it). Do you have a story to tell? Ideas? Suggestions? I have to bring Em with me. And while I’m hoping he behaves himself as long as we’re in line, I can’t promise anything.

Perhaps Election Day should become a national holiday, so that whomever goes to work for a living can stay home while the primary caregiver gets out to vote. While employers face charges if they don’t give their employees time off to vote, babies don’t have to follow the law.

If they can’t give the nation the day off, maybe they should have a “Fast Track” option for those of us with toddlers who really don’t enjoy being confined to a stroller for very long. Not that I’m looking for special treatment or anything. ;]

Edited to add: Early voting could go nationwide. Maybe in four years, this won’t be an issue for SAHMs and Dads after all.

Comments

12 responses to “Voting As A Primary Caregiver.”

  1. Gillian Avatar
    Gillian

    I voted early on Halloween. There were lots of Moms there with their kids. It was pretty darn funny to be standing in line with a bunch of little witches, super heroes, monsters, and the like. Oh, and some of the kids were dressed up, too.

    Rimshot!

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  2. KidKate Avatar
    KidKate

    Hmmm. Even when I lived in Brooklyn and worked full-time, I never had to wait very long in line toward the end of the day. Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think (taking into account the craziness of this election, of course)!

    Baltimore’s not very populous (comparatively) and I just vote across the street at an elementary school, so I’m hoping it won’t be too bad. Will bring lots of toys and books and be prepared to do lots of swaying just in case!

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  3. Marit Avatar
    Marit

    I voted early today in Ohio, and had to spend 3.5 hours waiting in line. There was a poor woman behind me with a toddler in a stroller, who was also very far along in another pregnancy. I felt so bad for her-her little boy was dumping pretzels on the floor and wanting to run around. I don’t know how she did it-but she made it through the wait to cast her vote.

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  4. sheryl Avatar
    sheryl

    I have a bunch of SAHM & SAHD friends (who used to be all my single friends before they got married and moved to suburbs). They span two districts, so tomorrow they are gathering at one of their houses (semi centrally located) for a play date and taking turns carpooling to the polls.

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  5. mihow Avatar
    mihow

    Sheryl, that’s a brilliant idea!

    Marit, sorry about the cross-out on your comment. It happens with Mephisto. (Hate it, too.) Also, that woman you saw? Probably most likely me tomorrow. :} Watch out, Greenpoint! And I apologize in advance.

    KidKate: It might not be bad, but the media has us all fearing otherwise. Naturally.

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  6. Lillet Avatar
    Lillet

    Hey is St. Cecilia’s on N. Henry your polling place? That’s mine, and the demographic of the neighborhood has changed so much in the last 4 years I’m wondering how crazy the lines will be. If I see you and Emory is fussy and someone gives you trouble, you shout for me and I will set them straight!!

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  7. mihow Avatar
    mihow

    It is! I know what you mean about the demographics changing. I hope it won’t be crazy, the primaries were a breeze—in and out in no time. But this could be different.

    We’ll see! And I’ll look for you!

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  8. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    The last presidential election, I waited in line for three hours, with a three year old. He slept most the time. So, on one hand, he was quiet. On the other hand, I was carrying him, and he was a heavy hunk.

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  9. wendyr Avatar
    wendyr

    Oh, I hope the polls aren’t too crazy for y’all! I voted absentee (I kind of have to, with the living overseas and all). But when I was a young, enterprising teenager, I used to baby-sit for free for parents on election night so they could go out and vote – a woman I sat for worked crazy hours and she was the one who came up with it. I kind of just set up camp at her house as soon as school started and kids were dropped off so all the parents could go off and vote.

    Good luck – hope Emory enjoys his first voting experience…

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  10. siobhan Avatar
    siobhan

    An international perspective: In Australia (where voting is compulsory), elections always happen on a Saturday, which increases the chance of people being available to vote. There are, of course, always people who work on the weekends but it definitely makes it easier for parents with kids etc.

    Since we moved to the UK I’ve been surprised that voting is held during the week!

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  11. mihow Avatar
    mihow

    Thanks, everyone for the stories and insight! We voted this morning and it turned out there wasn’t a line at all (really). We live in an area that houses a number of illegal immigrants or people here on temporary visas, so there weren’t many folks there at all. It was much shorter than other areas. (Park Slope Brooklyn for example.)

    Also, I just realized why I REALLY want this to be a national holiday, I REALLY want to share it with my husband, who is at work. I would love to watch the numbers come in with him today/tonight, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen. Anyway… congrats to all those who voted!

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  12. KidKate Avatar
    KidKate

    Glad to hear it wasn’t too bad. We voted this morning as a family (on the spur of the moment, hadn’t planned it that way but my husband left for work later than usual), which was a lot of fun. Sadly, he’s in NY on business tonight so we won’t be able to watch the returns come in together. I’m bummed.

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