Eden is my oldest
daughter. She is 8 and half years old. So
far her knowledge of government is about providing electricity and water. Eden’s questions stated as usual to know more.
Eden: Mom,
today there was no electricity almost for two hours. Is there any country without power cut?
Me: Yes,
Eden there is many.
Eden: It
means they have good government.
Me: Relatively
yes.
Eden: Can we
change our government? How can we change
it? (Eden is always proactive on her questions)
I am shocked and
kept quit. Thinking what to say? How to
say? Considering consequences I kept quit for long. (As a child she is going to use my answers as
her truth wherever she go whenever she needs it).
Eden continued
with her questions.
Eden: Mom, have you ever seen change of government
in this country?
Me: Yes
Eden. Once, I was 11 but it happened
after severe civil war.
Eden: That is bad.
You mean is that the Ethio-Italy war? (that is the only war she learnt about
so far)
Me: No this is another was both side
Ethiopian and many Ethiopian died both side.
Eden: Who fought for this government?
Me: Many people Eden.
Thinking how
lucky she does not know the previous and this government.
Now, I couldn’t afford to answer any
of her questions on this subject. I gave
up my freedom of speech even at home even with my 8 and half years daughter. I
gave up mine for hers. It is better to
keep quit myself than telling her not to tell someone else.
I am not a politician. I am just a mom. I never thought freedom of speech will be my
issue. I never thought freedom of speech
will affect the way I want to raise my kids and their mind development.
I use to think, it is good to
explain as much as possible for children’s question for it broaden their mind
and perspective. But this time I don’t
have enough freedom of speech to raise my kids the way they deserve.