I recently experienced a rather surreal moment while parenting. My kids and I were gathered around the kitchen table, enjoying graham crackers and listening to the news on the radio, when my toddler and preschooler started to bicker. As any parent of young boys knows, this is a common occurrence. “Hey, no hitting!” I called out from across the table. “We don’t hit our brothers.”
Just then, Donald Trump, the former president, came through the speakers with his unmistakable voice, saying, “I was gonna hit this guy so hard, his head would spin,” referring to a political opponent. I quickly turned off the radio, not wanting my reminders about kindness to be drowned out by such aggressive rhetoric.
This is what parenting looks like in a world where public figures model behavior that contradicts the lessons we strive to impart to our children. I teach them to avoid name-calling, even as a major political figure uses derogatory nicknames for his opponents. While I emphasize respect and kindness, Trump’s mocking tone of a disabled reporter plays out on the screen behind me.
It’s unsettling to realize that a candidate for the highest office in the land isn’t upholding the basic decency I expect from my little ones. This behavior doesn’t just create shocking headlines; it seeps into the lives of our children. Despite our best efforts to shield them from negativity, kids pick up on the world around them more than we often acknowledge. They overhear snippets of conversations, catch glimpses of news stories, and absorb the atmosphere of the election, which can lead to unsettling consequences. For example, a mother in Fairfax County shared that her son was teased by classmates with threats of deportation if Trump were to win.
Even if Trump doesn’t reclaim the presidency, the effects of his divisive language are likely to linger long after the election. His insinuations about a “rigged” election and suggestions of violent action if he loses create an environment that can trickle down into playgrounds and classrooms, fostering a culture of fear and hostility.
It’s important to recognize that Trump’s appeal stems from a significant portion of the population feeling neglected during economic transitions. They see in him a voice that resonates with their struggles. However, we’ve also witnessed his lack of compassion towards those who disagree with him, as seen in his treatment of a grieving mother of a fallen soldier. If he can dismiss the feelings of someone mourning their loss, it raises questions about his ability to empathize with the challenges faced by others.
Currently, my children remain blissfully unaware of the political turmoil, preferring to engage in their own playful wrestling matches. While I don’t mind their roughhousing, we have established rules: no hits to the face, no kicking someone when they’re down, and wrestling should be consensual. However, the election season has demonstrated a lack of respect and kindness from influential figures, making it increasingly difficult to instill these values.
Whoever takes office will guide my children through critical transitions—from home to preschool and eventually to elementary school, where they’ll learn about our nation’s foundations of freedom and equality. I worry that the messages they receive in school about tolerance may clash with the divisive rhetoric they encounter in the world around them.
This election isn’t simply about choosing a new leader; it’s about determining the type of discourse we expect from our representatives. We must decide whether the lessons we teach our kids about kindness and the consequences of their actions are merely empty rules or if we genuinely expect them to embody those principles to become constructive members of society. If we choose the latter, we cannot accept the behavior displayed by figures like Donald Trump.
For more insights on navigating this journey, check out this article that offers helpful information. And for those exploring paths toward parenthood, Make a Mom is an excellent resource on fertility journeys. Additionally, UCSF’s Center provides valuable information for anyone interested in pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary:
Navigating parenting in a politically charged atmosphere, especially in the context of Donald Trump’s rhetoric, poses challenges for instilling values of kindness and respect in children. The lessons we aim to teach can be undermined by the aggressive language and behavior modeled by public figures, making it crucial for parents to remain vigilant in their teachings about empathy and understanding in a world that often contradicts these ideals.