Would You Want Your Kid to Be President?

Would You Want Your Kid to Be President?

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

filed under: sherre hirsch

One mom says no way!

kid saying I want to be president when i grow up

Guest blogger Rabbi Sherre Hirsch: I have high hopes of what my children will become when they grow up. But let them never become the president of the United States. Sure, it is the most powerful position in the free world ... but it is a terrible job, especially now. We are in two major wars, the economy is in the toilet, and most of the world hates us.

Being the president is a terrible burden. Every time a human being is killed in the war or loses a job, you are partially to blame. If it is not one thing, it is the president. Today you are loved, tomorrow you are hated. Even if my child was the most confident human being in the world, could they stand the critics day in and day out without losing a part of their sense of self?

Sure, as the president you garner a lot of adulation, but is the job really worth it for an ego boost? It seems like there are plenty of other jobs that you can get praised a lot without being under such scrutiny.

Plus it is an exhausting job. You are on 24/7. The media captures your every move. You are in the public eye when you are grieving, depressed even when you break a nail. Turns out that I am not the only mother who does not wish this job upon her offspring.

Yesterday the New York Times reported that 41 percent of mothers and fathers would want their child to grow up to be president compared to 58 percent who would not.

Any mother knows from watching Kennedy, Ford or Clinton leave office, it isn't pretty. If they make it out alive (which JFK didn't), they look wore down, spent and old. Who would wish that on their child?

Even so, I am taking my kids to the polls with me. I am excited for them to see that the democratic process is alive and well, as difficult as it may be to be a part of it.

Would you want your kid to be president?

filed under: sherre hirsch

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Absolutely not!! First off, the path to the presidency is a long, twisted road that I wouldn’t want my children to have to face. It is a ruthless, cruel and morally trying path, that is wrought with corruption and dishonesty. I hope that my children do something that brings them peace and does some good in their community. Leaders? Yes. President? No. Amy

- Amy

Posted 11/04/08 07:14 PM

Yes I would…and here’s why. When people take on tasks, responsibilities and careers that challenge them they grow, and I don’t just mean intellectually. When kids take on a social challenge such as a school bully, they learn resolve problems in a successful and hopefully peaceful way. When they take on a difficult school assignment they learn that with hard work they can succeed in education. Ans when they see a homeless person and ask the adults in their lives what can be done about it, the learn how compassion and charity can help those who cannot help themselves (whatever the reason). As our kids grow and take on more grown up challenges the hope is that they will continue to challenge themselves so that can learn to be compassionate, thoughtful, and yes, successful adults. All of those lessons, whether they be life lessons or classroom lessons, would never be learned without the willingness of parents teaching kids and then kids teaching themselves that challenge and hard work are good and part of how we grow as people. If one of sons grows up to think that they have the knowledge, compassion and yes grit to do the toughest, most important job, than I would be a VERY PROUD MOM.

- AK Mom

Posted 11/04/08 08:24 PM