On an early summer day, my husband took our then four year old out for some frivolous shopping to give me a break after a long day. He has a very eclectic taste in music. A song from a pirate metal band came on with some colorful language. (Don’t worry, no swear words were heard). Our daughter mangled up the chorus and had a funny question to go along with it. We still chuckle at the moment but have to remind ourselves she is always listening even when we don’t think she is.
While out getting pancakes one morning, the diner had a political news network on. In a similar way, the network had some colorful language when describing the current president. Or maybe it was his opponent? I can’t remember. My daughter, of course, was not listening. She was devouring her bacon.
But imagine if she was? Imagine if she could sit down in front of a screen and absorb all the rhetoric in her sweet unmarred heart.
We concern ourselves so often with the bullying that occurs in the classroom, but we often forget how much they are exposed to at the homefront. As a nation we are at some of the deepest levels of division we have ever witnessed. With an election happening and the opinions flying, how do you keep your kids from sinking into the division as well? How do we model unity?
As parents, we want critical thinkers. We want to raise humans with compassion and knowledge that allows them to make informed decisions without stooping low.
After all, if an adult can say mean things about someone they disagree with, why can’t they? Now don’t get me wrong, I doubt our kids care this deeply about the political divide, but they will carry whatever influence you made with them. And the thing is–we have reached a point where politics no longer stays in its lane.
It seeps into our lives in the most mundane ways. It seems that now someone’s voting record can dictate whether they are worthy of simple human kindness. No matter how you vote, you can talk about difficult topics without veering into a place of judgment. Talk with your kids about all the good they can bring to the world within their community. Explain the importance of exercising your civil rights and how democracy can be and is a positive for everyone.
» » » » » » » » » » » » » RELATED READ: Why I Voted with My 11 Month Old « « « « « « « « « « « «
Turn off the rhetoric that floods our TVs when they’re around and find a conversation tool to help them express their feelings healthily. If they say something you don’t agree with, that’s ok! Remember, you are modeling unity and a neutral ground for them to learn and grow. It may feel odd not correcting them, but you’re raising the future voice that could bring about a more cohesive landscape. They will remember how their parent supported their freedom to express thoughts and convey feelings.
The goal isn’t to make your kids think like you do. It’s to teach them to respect and listen to all the other voices that don’t sound like theirs. And, maybe along the way they can teach us something as well.
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