I’m in the car, just leaving a busy fast-food joint when a man nearly collides with me, honking loudly. I let him pass, and as I pull out, I can’t help but mutter, “Of course, he’s a Trump supporter.”
“What’s a Trump supporter?” my 6-year-old son, Max, innocently asks.
Oh boy, here we go. I take a deep breath and explain that a Trump supporter is someone who wants Donald Trump to be the president. Max knows what a president is, so naturally, he asks who Donald Trump is. I believe in being candid with kids, which means I need to go beyond just saying he’s a Republican.
“Donald Trump is a very wealthy man who doesn’t use his money to help others. He often says hurtful things about women and people of color. For instance, he wants to build a wall to keep out people from Mexico and Central America. He even suggested violence against his opponent, which is something we should never condone.” I pause, realizing I’m revealing a lot. “And to be honest, I think he’s a bad person who often lies.”
I continue, “His supporters sometimes behave even worse. They gather in large crowds and shout racist things, calling for jailing or even harming Hillary Clinton, his political opponent. Some even wear T-shirts with threats against her. They talk about taking back America, which seems to mean pushing out people like us who believe in using government resources to support those in need.”
Max listens intently and seems to absorb the information. He nods but says he doesn’t have any more questions. I wish I could share more about Trump’s controversial real estate dealings or the ridiculous things he’s said in debates, but I know my son doesn’t need that level of detail. How much is too much? That’s a constant dilemma for me.
While I think it’s essential for kids to understand political matters and to know where we stand as a family, I also feel they shouldn’t be burdened with every detail. For instance, I’m not going to explain why Trump’s hair looks like a rodent stuck on his head. I’ll keep my critiques light-hearted but won’t drag him into the mud of political discourse.
Honestly, I’m frustrated that I even have to broach such absurdity with my children. If the Republicans had chosen a different candidate, I could explain their viewpoints in a way that makes sense to a child. But that’s not the case here.
This situation feels like a lost opportunity, not just for a viable presidential candidate but for meaningful conversations with our kids about politics. It’s a difficult reality to navigate, and like much of Trump’s campaign, it leaves a lot to be desired.
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In summary, discussing difficult political figures with children is challenging. While it’s important to be honest and open about our beliefs, we must also consider how much information is appropriate for their age. Balancing honesty with sensitivity is crucial as we guide them through understanding the world around them.
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