As parents, we often find ourselves using current events to teach our children important lessons about kindness and respect. We’ve been emphasizing that bullying is unacceptable, that discrimination based on race or religion is wrong, and that “love conquers hate.” However, when the election results came in last night, it felt like we were slapped in the face by reality. How do we reconcile our beliefs with the election of a candidate who has openly displayed xenophobia and misogyny? How do we explain this to our kids?
Many of us went to bed feeling uneasy, concerned for our friends and their families who now feel vulnerable. Our children look to us for answers, and we’re left wondering how to explain that a significant portion of our country supports a man with ties to the KKK and who has openly bragged about assault. How can we reassure them that everything will be okay when we ourselves are uncertain?
News anchor Mark Thompson voiced the feelings of many parents when he shared his thoughts while watching his sleeping children. “It’s tough to be a parent tonight for many of us,” he remarked. “You teach your kids to be kind and to stand up against bigotry, but then you wake up to this reality. Parents are putting their kids to bed tonight, unsure of how to explain what just happened.” He highlighted the real fears facing American citizens: “I have friends who practice Islam texting me asking if they should leave the country. Families of immigrants are scared tonight.” It’s hard not to imagine being in their shoes, feeling as though the place you’ve always called home is no longer safe.
Last night was a painful reminder for many of us, and it makes us question if we were too complacent. Did we really think this could never happen? I took my three-year-old to the polls yesterday, thinking we were part of something historic.
“Donald Thompson has a duty tonight to reassure everyone he will be the president for all those he has insulted and marginalized,” he added. “When you say you want to ‘take your country back,’ it implies that many of us don’t feel represented either. We don’t want to feel like some were sacrificed to appeal to others.”
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In summary, we face challenging conversations with our children as we navigate a world that feels increasingly divided. It’s essential to approach these discussions with honesty, empathy, and a commitment to fostering understanding and acceptance.