As I’m backing out of a busy fast-food parking lot, a driver nearly collides with me, honking aggressively. I let him pass, and as I pull out, I notice his bumper sticker. “Of course, he supports that guy,” I mutter to myself.
“What’s that mean, Mom?” my 6-year-old, Alex, asks curiously.
Oh dear.
I explain that it’s someone who wants to vote for a particular person running for president. Knowing Alex understands the concept of a president, he asks, “Who is he?” I believe in being honest with kids, so I go beyond the simple explanation of “he’s a Republican.”
I tell him that this man is incredibly wealthy and tends to use his resources selfishly. He often says hurtful things about women and people of color. In fact, he has such strong negative feelings towards Mexican and Central American individuals that he wants to build a barrier to keep them out of the country. He even suggested extreme actions against his political opponent, which is unacceptable. I add a lighthearted comment about his hairstyle, likening it to a misplaced animal.
In my view, this man is not a good person; he frequently distorts the truth.
I explain that some of his supporters can be even more problematic. They gather in large groups, shouting awful and racist remarks, and some even suggest violent actions against his opponent. There are those who wear shirts advocating for harm. Their anger stems from feeling powerless, and they want to reclaim a vision of America that excludes those who believe in using government resources to support vulnerable communities, children, and our environment.
I tell Alex that we’re supporting another candidate—anyone else would do.
He listens thoughtfully, nodding along as I speak, and then says he has no more questions. I find myself wanting to delve deeper into my concerns about this man’s business practices and his inflammatory comments, but I realize that there’s a limit to what he needs to know at this age.
It’s crucial to me to be honest with my children and to involve them in political discussions. They should understand our views, but I also feel it’s important to provide a balanced perspective without being neutral. As they mature, they can explore different candidates and form their own opinions.
However, I’m not eager to share every detail of the political discourse, especially the less savory aspects. I wish I didn’t have to expose my kids to such bizarre behavior, but I recognize that this is the current political landscape.
If a different candidate had been nominated, I could have explained their beliefs in a way that’s comprehensible to a child. Instead, we’ve missed an opportunity for meaningful discussions about politics—a situation that reflects the chaos of the current climate.
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In summary, the challenge of explaining complex political issues to young children requires a careful balance of honesty and age-appropriate information. While it’s essential to engage them in discussions about our beliefs, we must also consider their emotional readiness for the topics we address.