I have a confession to make, and I hope that my shame over it is enough to keep folks from chastising me further. Because I know, okay? Now I know. But I didn't then. So here it is: For many years, I didn't vote unless it was a presidential election year. And when I did vote, it felt sort of like playing grown-up. Look at me! I'm voting! Just like a big girl!

In retrospect, I cannot justify my behavior. When I consider all the years wherein I abdicated my opportunity, my responsibility, to take part in the democratic process, I cringe. I went to college. I went to grad school. I'm not a stupid person. But I'd bought into the "one vote can't make much of a difference" mentality, and---perhaps worse---the "well I don't really follow politics so I shouldn't vote" mentality.

The change started when I had children. It began to dawn on me how arrogant and idiotic my excuses were. One vote doesn't make a difference? Not true. I don't know the candidates and issues? What, do I live in a cave? Here in America, there's an easy solution to ignorance: get informed. But what got me moving was the burden of responsibility in having chosen to bring more people into this world. What would I be teaching them if I was content to opt out?

I didn't like the answer. So I opted back in.

Make no mistake; I still hate it. I hate politics. I hate (sometimes) knowing that my vote won't be enough. I hate political ads, I dislike most politicians, and I think the system is deeply flawed. But I have to do the best I can with what little power I have, and I have to teach my kids why.

When we returned from the polls tonight, I happened to pop up this post by Susan Wagner. She sums it up beautifully:

But it's important that you vote today. I don't care who you vote for (although of course I wish more people voted like I do). I care that you show up. Take your kids, if you can; let them see you participating. Henry likes to feed my ballot into the machine and watch the number change; Charlie likes to plaster himself with I VOTED stickers. We talk about how many people have voted before me, and how all of them have an opinion about who our governor should be and how the state should spend it's Rainy Day Fund. We talk about how I voted and later we will talk about how everyone else voted. We will talk about what it means to disagree with the majority, and how democracy doesn't mean always getting your way, even when you feel confident that you are right and the majority is wrong. We talk about respecting other people's views, particularly when they are different from yours.

As parents, we have a responsibility to participate. For women---mothers---to say that we have no opinions about politics in this country, about the policies that decide how our children will be educated and what our military will fight for and who will have access to medical care, is naive and foolish. Your vote matters, even if your candidate doesn't win. Your voice matters, even if it seems like no one is listening.

Because your kids are. Make sure they hear you.

Amen.

I'm glad I voted. And whether my chosen candidates win or lose, my children are winning. I hope.

BlogHer Contributing Editor Mir also blogs at Woulda Coulda Shoulda and Want Not.