Show your kids where policy happens!

Hey all you Wonky Moms and Dads out there! I was just thinking that this is the time of year when parents are starting to plan that school vacation get-away for February or April school vacation. You know - Disney. The Carolinas. Maybe a nice island somewhere.

All tempting, but why not do something different this year? If you haven't already, this may be the year to take your kids to their nation's capital! Show them where policy is made, tour the museums and maybe even the White House (get your tix early for that one!), visit your Congressional representatives... We took our kids to Washington, D.C. last year, and it was a great way to introduce them to some history, provide a backdrop for our dinner-time discussions of current events, and empower them to be active citizens who respect and enjoy their national treasures. Here's my son at the gates of the Department of the Treasury. He was doing a report on Alexander Hamilton at the time, and seeing his statue was one of the highlights of his trip. That, and riding in the flight simulator at the Air and Space Museum.

I know times are tight, and not all of you are on the East Coast. For a democracy destination within reach, you can also check out your state capitol. Take a tour, visit your state legislators if they're in session, and enjoy absorbing the power of democracy that is palpable inside those walls. You might even be able to see a committee hearing or watch some floor action.

Just a thought as you browse through your travel brochures and start making plans... If you're thinking about visiting D.C., here is a great site to get you started!