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There’s a lot of sentiment this morning about the election results, but a major theme running through my personal Facebook feed from mothers and fathers I know is, “What will I tell my daughter?” and “How do I explain this to my children?”
Regardless of your political affiliation, it’s a valid question. One I’m struggling with myself. My first wonder is, “Should we even talk to our kids about these issues? And if we do, how do we put it all in perspective for their little minds that are so sensitive and easily influenced?”
My 5-year-old daughter came home from kindergarten on Nov. 8th very jubilant. When I asked about school, she proclaimed that she had voted for Hillary Clinton. “Mommy, she’s a girl, and I want a girl to be president.” Pretty normal logic for a 5-year-old.
I explained to her that gender alone is not why we vote for someone, that we vote on them based on what they will do for ALL people in our country. Nonetheless, I was a very proud momma because she voted for who she thought was the best candidate. I’m so glad the importance of voting is being taught as such as young age. There’s no more important civics lesson in my opinion.
There are many people who had hoped to end last night by standing in front of the TV watching that proverbial glass ceiling shatter. But, as I put my daughter to bed without fanfare, the election results continued to roll in, and I started to wonder how I would explain to my daughter that her candidate did not win.
This morning, as my husband came home from dropping our little girl at school, he told me that he went ahead and let her know that our next president would not be Hillary Clinton.
He said she started to cry, and asked, “So, girls can’t be president?”
This absolutely breaks my heart.
He told her that no, the office of the president, can definitely be reached by a woman, but that the country just thought it was not the right time or right woman. Girls can be whatever they want to be. To that, I would add: Sometimes girls just have to fight a little harder. A little longer. A little smarter.
I have more questions than answers this morning. And I’m seeking the lessons from it — how to explain what happens when things don’t go your way. How do I reinforce that being positive and kind are still the values we should look up to? What kind of example of how people should treat others has this election set for our kids?
In case you hadn’t noticed, this isn’t some epiphany-laden blog post. It’s meant to encourage parents to start a dialogue with their children; to know they’re not alone as they face some hard questions.
So, I’m going to close with some thoughts I have on how to move forward, and how I plan to talk to my kids now and in the future. Whether you have sons or daughters, and whether you voted for Hillary or Donald, I hope these will be reminders for everyone.
Things to keep in mind when discussing the election with your children:
- Be mindful. Voting is an immense honor and responsibility. Exercise that right always and remember the sacrifices made for us to have this right.
- Be thoughtful. Continue to teach humility, inclusion, and love.
- Be positive. Always see the potential, and give people the benefit of the doubt.
- Be generous. Make a positive contribution to society.
- Be sharp. You will have to work with people who don’t agree with you, and this is one of the hardest things to do. But this is the backbone of families, businesses, and life.
- Be passionate. It’s okay to be upset when things don’t go your way, but don’t sulk for too long. Get up, learn from it, and work for what you believe in.
- Be confident. The sky is still the limit— for everyone. Women, minorities, and disenfranchised people included. Anyone can see change through hard work and self-reliance. A little girl will someday grow up to be president.
- Be grounded. Rely on your family and your faith first and foremost.
- Be bold. Never give up.
- Be hopeful. America is an awesome, blessed country. Cherish it.
How are you discussing the election with your children?
