Talking to Your Kids About the #Election #Post-Election

Hi there,

It has now been 24 hours since the results of the election have been announced.  Now that emotions seem to be more contained it is a good time to talk to your kids about the election.  If your kids are old enough to understand and ask questions here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when talking to them:

1- Encourage your kids to ask a lot of questions.  Have them write them down before sitting down to talk to them.

2- Use this opportunity as a teaching tool and research information together about the election process and government that you both may not know.

3- Stay neutral when explaining concepts such as the electoral process.  Give them the facts about the process including candidates and policy in a developmentally appropriate way.  

4- Emphasize the importance of accepting and understanding different points of view when you have 2 opposing parties. Discuss that some people may believe strongly in their views and may be upset by the election results but that's okay.  Stress that it's okay for people to feel disappointed but important that people respect and accept each other's differences and ultimately learn to work together.  Use an example from school or home to illustrate that concept.  See if they can think of an example themselves.  

5- Highlight that sometimes you don't win.  In this case stress that it is important to respect the election process even if your side lost.  Review what both parties must be feeling. Have them think of an example of when they won and lost something.  

Dr. S