America is one step closer to a final vote on Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation, and America’s mothers are holding their breath. As Kavanaugh protestors and supporters across the country wished they could vote to end the debate, the Senate did, and a 51-49 result pushed Kavanaugh one step closer to confirmation. If you were among those who wished they had a vote Friday, remember that you can act in other ways.

Here are five ways to be powerful right now.

1. Talk to your children

Children are hearing about the Kavanaugh story—through the news, and in overheard snippets of adult conversation—whether we like it or not. To protect them from misinformation we need to invite them into our conversations at an age-appropriate level, especially if they’re coming to us with question like ” what does sexual assault mean ?”

2. Register to vote

In some states the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming midterm election is TOMORROW. If you haven’t already, you should register to vote right now.

3. Plan to vote

American mothers won’t get to vote in the final decision on Judge Kavanaugh on Saturday, but November 6 is a different story. Plan to be at the polls on election day. Learn the location of your polling place, and arrange for childcare if necessary. If November 6 absolutely won’t work for you, investigate absentee voting in your state.

4. Become more involved in your community

The Senate’s final decision on Kavanaugh is coming, but smaller decisions—by your school board, your city council, your county—matter too, and we can affect change at these levels. Remember how you feel today, and vote ( or better yet, run, mama!) in your municipal elections. Unfortunately, most Americans don’t.

5. Model the change you want to see

By doing these things we not only exercise the power we have at a time when so many feel powerless, but we also model the change we want to see in the next generation. The next time we see a person being harassed or bullied, we will stand up for them, again. The next time we are lied to, we will press for the truth, again. And the next time our values are threatened, we will stand up for them, always. As parents, we are the next generation’s first role models , their first teachers. Our children are watching our actions today, and they will emulate them tomorrow.

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