How to talk to your kids about the election and current events

Thanks to a never-ending news cycle, it's likely that your kiddo has curiosities about things like the election season, climate change, and other global issues. 

We want to empower you to open up and keep the conversation going at home so that they can come to you for factual, age-appropriate information while also fostering a sense of connection and trust during this election season and beyond. 

Opening up the conversation surrounding election season 

The thought of discussing the complexities of politics with a child can be intimidating, but by opening up the dialogue now, you’re letting them know that they can always come to you for clarity surrounding current events and anything else that may be on their mind. 

Here are some ways to open up the conversation at home: 

• Get curious about what they know. Your child may have learned about current events, like political elections, at school, on social media, or through friends. But there is a risk that they may have been exposed to misconceptions or sensationalized content. So start the conversation by asking what they know so that you can get a clearer picture on where to begin.
  
  
• Actively listen. Kids may have thoughts and fears surrounding divisive topics like political candidates or war, so try your best to set aside distractions, like buzzing phones, so that you can make eye contact and hear and repeat back what they are experiencing. Some kids may feel more comfortable opening up when doing a task together, like folding laundry, going for a car ride, or taking a walk in nature.
  
  
• Keep it factual. For younger children, it’s best to limit oversharing and simply stick to the facts. For example you might say, “Every four years in November, people ages 18 and older go to a voting station to elect a president of the United States of America. An election is happening this November, and people in our country will decide which person they would like to see as president.”
  
  If they have follow-up questions, answer them directly, but keep the messages short and remind them that they are safe. If you don’t know the answer, it’s perfectly fine to say that you will get back to them and then take some time to gather the information and have a follow-up conversation.
  
  
• Take the opportunity to learn together. If your child or teen asks you a question that you don’t know the answer to, it’s okay to be honest and let them know that you’d like to take some time to look it up from credible sources and learn together. If your child has gathered information from their friends or social media, encourage them to ask questions surrounding any headlines they may have heard so that you can fact check as a family.
• Discuss your family values. These are the guiding principles that help you and your family make decisions and live your lives as authentically as possible. They can highlight what is important to you, what you believe to be ethical, and what you want to prioritize in your life. Take some time to discover what everyone in your family feels is important in a leader and what issues matter most to them. Make sure that everyone has a chance to speak and feels like a valued contributor to the conversation. Remind your children that there are diverse opinions, and that's okay. Encourage them to listen to others and understand different perspectives, even when they don't align with your family values.
• Keep the conversation going. Just because this election season will end, it doesn’t mean the dialogue at home should stop. Encourage your child to come back to you when they have more questions or emotions surrounding current events (or anything!). Giving them permission to come back to you when things come up is so important.
  
  
• Monitor their exposure. Being inundated with narratives surrounding current events can cause some kids to feel fearful, anxious, or depressed. Be aware of what is being said around them, monitor their online activity if possible, and consider limiting news exposure at home.
  
  
• Prioritizing self-care. If your child is feeling overwhelmed by the newscycle, help them to find ways to calm both their body and mind. You can try simple breathing exercises together, encourage them to journal out any difficult emotions, or they could try expressing themselves creatively. 
  
  
• Stay calm: Kids pick up on how you react to political events and conversations. Keep discussions respectful and balanced, even when you strongly disagree. This teaches kids to manage their emotions and to react constructively.

Initiating meaningful conversations with your kids can sometimes be challenging, but the election season and other current events can be a prime opportunity to open up communication with your child and bring your family closer together. Look for moments to connect with one another, like the dinner table or while out on a walk, by asking questions and listening to what everyone in your family has to say. 

We know that this time can be overwhelming for everyone, so keep an open line of communication and monitor your child’s distress. If you notice signs of worry, stress, changes in mood or behavior, or difficulty functioning, consider seeking support from a mental health professional.