fbpx
Rochester Local

3 Things to Remember When Talking Politics Around Children

One afternoon I took my son to the park to play.  As we got closer to the playground I could hear a small group of kids loudly screaming at one another.  They were probably about 10 years old and using words that weren’t necessarily “park appropriate”–words I didn’t even know existed when I was a (naive?) 10 year old!

We live in a small, but diverse, subdivision, so seeing “free-range” children from completely different types of families pleasantly playing together at the neighborhood park is pretty common.  Because there were no adults present to mediate, the kids were debating the only way they knew how: screaming and name-calling (probably how I would have reacted at that age, too).

Personally, I believe it’s good for kids to have arguments and find resolutions for their disagreements amongst themselves–free of parental intervention.  As much as we’d always like to protect our children, we won’t be able to fight our children’s fights or argue their arguments forever, so I believe it’s our duty, as parents, to help prepare them.

They might as well learn how to disagree, problem-solve and compromise–safely and respectfully–on their own before they really are on their own.

I was curious about what could be causing such a dramatic exchange between this group of kids who usually play so nicely with one another.  Imagine my surprise when I learned the kids were in the midst of a pretty serious political debate!  One that would inevitably end with misunderstanding and hurt feelings.

I thought this was interesting and wondered if the parents actively and openly talk with their children about the upcoming election and political climate, or if the kids are getting their info elsewhere?

Emotions seemed to be running wild, so I could tell the kids were both curious and interested in what is happening around them politically; and they should be.  Politics affect everyone. This year, it seems, no one–not even kids–can turn the corner without hearing or seeing something involving politics or political events, but how often do we stop and think how this information affects our children?

Here are 3 important things to remember and consider when discussing politics with or around children:

politics, how to talk to your kids about politics, talking about politics around children,

1. Children are interested in politics and are paying attention to what you say (and how you react).

If you try to shield your child from political events happening around them or don’t talk about politics when they’re nearby, they’re going to get this information elsewhere. It doesn’t matter if they’re 5 years old or 18 years old.

Although I believe a parent should never force their own beliefs onto their children, I also believe it is their duty to guide them towards making decisions that are right for the child as well as for others; after all, politics and political decisions affect everyone.

Depending on the child’s age, they may have a hard time distinguishing between opinion and fact. They’ll take every word they hear as pure truth and can become upset when someone tells them otherwise–precisely what was happening on the playground that day.

Instead of complaining about individual candidates or talking about politics in terms of party-allegiance, research and discuss the issues.  Not only will your child learn the importance of how political decisions can affect real life, but you may even surprise yourself and question your own political viewpoints or party loyalty.

2. Focus on the positive.

There is so much negativity in the world that I think the only way to keep moving forward is to acknowledge the negative, but focus on the positive. This is especially true when you’re speaking with children.

Listening to the news, hearing adults debate politics, and even surfing the internet can be scary. There is an information overload that past generations didn’t have to deal with. It’s hard, if not impossible, to escape what is happening politically around us on a daily basis–no matter your age. It is important not to dismiss the child’s feelings, but instead try to help them focus on the positive.

By focusing on the good–and there is always good, sometimes you just have to look a little harder to see it–you can help to ease your child’s worries and fears.  I think Mister Rogers put it best when he shared,

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

mister rogers helpers quote, politics, how to talk to your kids about politics, talking about politics around children,

Because of all the negative “mud-slinging” that goes on in politics, it may also be a good idea to search out age-appropriate resources to help teach your child about the political processes and to help them decipher what is going on around them.

I really like the Scholastic News site, as I feel it’s pretty neutral and very informational. There are articles for kids, written by kids, so children should be able to understand and relate to the material. There is also a whole section dedicated solely to the 2016 election with a lot of good information.

3. It’s okay–and normal–to disagree but HOW you disagree is important.

Give your opinion, but accept that your child’s may be different–especially if they are older. I really feel strongly that this is the most important thing to remember when talking politics with or around children, because this lesson also affects how the child deals with disagreements in other aspects of their life.

It’s good to have strong opinions, but it’s also good to remember that everyone is entitled to their own; and not all opinions are the same. After all, not everyone has the same experiences, and we all come from different backgrounds.

If you teach your child that opinion is fact, they may not know how to respectfully handle situations in which someone disagrees with them or how to handle real-life scenarios that turn out differently than they anticipated. Learning how to control their emotions while respectfully disagreeing about something or constructively debating an issue will not only spare hurt feelings and misunderstandings, but will also help your child to learn more about the world in which they live and participate.

As parents, we must also remember that we can’t only teach our children these skills but must also do our best to lead by example, as children tend to emulate what they see.

Have you talked with your children about the upcoming election or the current political events of the country/world? What did your conversation look like?

Related posts

Rochester MN Guide to Easter Egg Hunts and Events

Rochester Local

Rochester MN Guide to Bakeries: Where to Get Cakes, Cookies, Cupcakes, Pastries, Donuts and More!

Rochester Local

Everything You Need to Know About Social-ICE

Rochester Local