"Little Ricky" ~ Political Candidate

In our school, like many, we have a Student Government.  The student government is a way to engage students in learning about democracy and leadership.  This long instituted activity in schools helps to share the students' ideas, interests, and concerns with teachers and school administrators.

"Little Ricky" has been talking about running for class representative since 1st grade (a whole year).  He asks questions like, "how do I get it?" "what do I do?"  

This is the magic year; the year that he can run for student representative for Room 11.   Oh boy....

He has written his speech.  We have been practicing so he can look like a professional.  

Can you read the 2nd Grade spelling?

As I have been preparing him to run for representative, I have also been preparing him for failure.  The important lesson of losing gracefully and showing "good sportsmanship" by clapping for his friends and congratulating them.

This is the first time that he is going to get chosen for something.  At this age, in sports they are put on the team as long as you sign them up, they are in the club as long as you sign them up.  This will be his first experience with a true winning or losing situation.  

As a mom, I am dying.  I can only anticipate what will happen and hope to cushion the blow either way.  I don't want to see him fail.  I don't want to see him truly sad.  I know it's part of growing up, and this is only the first of MANY times that he will experience triumph and heartbreak.  But my "mommy" instinct wants to protect him from the world.  

Why is this "mommy" stuff so hard?



Alexis