November third has come and gone. Yet things are still kind of, as we say in the South, a hot mess. Certainly no one thought Election Day would be a miraculous healing for our country’s ailments, but I think a small part in each of us wished for it. After all, our collective anxiety prior to the election was unsettling. So many of us, in both political parties, were truly fearful of the 2020 election outcome. Rightfully so–the future is at stake. Motherhood only heightens our fears because not only are we scared for ourselves, but we’re also scared for our babies. Based on the numbers, roughly fifty percent of those reading are delighted with the results of the presidential race and the other fifty percent greatly disappointed. So the big question is, what can we do now?
We can resolve to be our best, no matter who is in office and how we feel about it. We can get sleep, eat vegetables, and go for walks. We can create time for meditation and journaling. We can develop new skills, read new books, and meet new people. We can check in with neighbors, reach out to friends, and fortify our families. Each day we can appreciate our sunshine, acknowledge our storms, and move forward in the faith of a better tomorrow.
We can teach our children. We can show them people who face an uncertain future with hope and determination. We can coach them in having respectful discussions even when opinions diverge. We can enlist them in the work of loving our neighbors, caring for our communities, and fighting for freedom. We can nurture them with intentional interactions, meaningful praise, and loving correction. Maybe you admire our new president elect; maybe you don’t. Either way, your kids already have a powerful leader to emulate–you.
We can continue to advocate for the rights and ideals that we hold dear. Those issues didn’t end when all the votes were counted. We can educate. We can listen. We can peacefully demonstrate. We can post, tweet, and share. We can call our representatives and participate in town halls. We can join the PTA and HOA. We can be the voices that shape our communities into places we are proud to call home.
Despite the challenges and injustices that inevitably lie ahead, what can you do? What will you do? For as poet William Ross Wallace said, “the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” No matter who is president.