This election is lining to be one of most divisive in recent political history. The lack of etiquette and a 24-hour news cycle has elicited strong emotional reactions from even those who had never been so passionate about an election before. Because of that we are getting many questions from parents about how to talk to their children about the election and the results. The best approach for parents is to reduce the stress of their kids while educating them about the political process.
Here are ways to talk to your kids about the election
Many People Have Different Beliefs
Whether you and your kids support former President Trump’s agenda or that of Vice President Harris, this election offers parents the opportunity to talk with their kids about the fact that many people in the country have different views. If this election is anything like what the polls indicate, it is possible for one candidate to win the popular vote and the other to win the Electoral College. That means that no matter what your views are, about half the people in the country think differently than you. Help your kids to be prepared when difficult conversations about the election come up.
You can tell your kids, “While many people in our community (family, group of friends, or whatever fits) believe certain things, we see from this election that other people see things differently. Because we are surrounded by people who believe the same things, it is easy to forget that we are a very diverse country. Sometimes when we talk to people, we hear opinions and ideas that are very different than ours. We might disagree with them very much. Other people might even say mean comments about things you believe in. How might you react in that situation?” You could even roleplay this scenario with your kids knowing that people will be talking about the election and the results for the next few weeks.
You Will Be Okay
This isn’t the first time the country has been divided, and it probably won’t be the last. It is part of having a democracy and the freedoms that come with it. Talk with your kids about checks and balances, including the process the president must go through to make policy changes. It’s important to communicate to your kids a sense of optimism about the future and their role in it.
You can tell your kids, “The strength of our political system is that even the president doesn’t have absolute power and needs to go through the House of Representatives and the Senate for the most important decisions that impact the country. Also, a lot of the decisions about what happens in our city are made by representatives of our state and politicians where we live. Whatever changes occur happen gradually.” It’s a fun way to teach your kids a little bit about how the government was designed to function. Phrases like “the will of the people” and “checks and balances” will mean a lot more in the next weeks.
Show Respect for the Process
Whether you support the outcome or not, it is very important to communicate respect for the process of voting and the freedom to do so in our country. It is important to model for our kids how to be respectful of the process, while at the same time encouraging them to be educated about the issues so they can vote to make changes when they are of age. If you want your children to vote and participate in the process when they are old enough, you have to convey that there is a reason to do so. Being too negative about “election fraud” or “stolen votes” may teach them that their vote doesn’t count, and we don’t want that.
You can tell your kids, “We should celebrate the opportunity to participate in the process of shaping our government, whether we like the outcome or not. It is important to learn about the issues and exercise your right to vote so you can support the things you believe in.”
Do Something to Support Your Beliefs
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If your children don’t like the outcome or how people are reacting to the results, find a cause that supports those they feel are being treated unfairly. If they feel the outcome may take away benefits from the poor, help them volunteer to support families in need: Serve food at a soup kitchen, collect toys for the holidays, etc. If they feel protests impacted businesses in the community, help them support those businesses by advertising for them, sending business their way, or even writing a card or letter showing their appreciation for what they provide for the community.
Finally, if you are passionate about your beliefs and want to act on your right to peacefully protest, then by all means do so. Protests have been part of the fabric of America from day one. If it is important to include your children, then be sure to put in place some basic safety precautions. Prepare them for the size and scope of what they might experience, have a plan for where to meet or how to communicate if you accidently get separated, and most importantly remove yourself and your children from and situation that appears not to be safe. You may be attending a peaceful protest, but if the energy in the crowd changes, that is your hint to take your children and leave. Safety first.
