0:00
/
0:00
Transcript

How to talk to your kids about Trump

It's important, even if it isn't easy

Katie Paris isn’t just a mom and the founder of Red Wine & Blue, she’s also the daughter-in-law of a child psychologist. So she’s in a unique position to pass along some wisdom about how to talk to our kids about politics.

It’s hard enough to personally grapple with everything happening right now… how are we supposed to talk to our kids or grandkids about it?

There are no easy answers, but like with our adult friends and neighbors, the important thing is to just start the conversation. If you don’t talk to your kids about what’s going on, they’re still going to hear about it — from another kid on the bus, from a snippet of Fox News they see at a friend’s house, or from TikTok. You can make sure they’re not learning misinformation and help them know that they can always talk to you.

It’s important to know that kids actually want to hear from their parents on big issues. When you start these conversations, you open the door for your kids to come to you about other issues or questions they may have.

Share

So how do we have these conversations? One easy way to start is by asking questions like “What have you been hearing about this issue?” or “Is there anything you’re worried about right now?” Even if they react by rolling their eyes or by burying their head in their iPad, you’re letting them know that you’re there for them. This topic might make them anxious so it’s really important that they know they’re safe and loved.

After that, you can help them feel better by focusing on the helpers. Let them know that there are people all across the country trying to help. In fact, this is a good time to let them talk about how you as a family can tap into kindness and do some good for the community.

Lastly, if your child is struggling, make sure to reach out to a professional — and don’t forget to do the same for yourself!

We’re in uncharted territory and none of us have all the answers. But with open honest conversations and really listening, we can be there for the people in our lives: littles, adults, and everyone in-between.

The Suburban Women Problem is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.