It’s 5 a.m., and I’ve been tossing and turning for what feels like ages. Sleep? Not a chance. With the clock ticking and my kids soon to wake, I’m frantically typing, trying to gather my thoughts. They’re still so young, but kids pick up on more than we give them credit for. I need to find a way to frame today’s events in a way that shines a little light.
So, I’ll tell my little ones that their dad and I are here to shield them with love, always. I’ll reassure them that their lives remain unchanged. School is still on the agenda, while we head to work, and pizza night is still happening. Our summer trip to Disney World is still in the cards. We’re still a family, and they’re still learning what it means to live a good life.
My partner and I are committed to teaching our kids about goodness in various forms. Each year, before the holidays, we encourage them to pick out toys to donate to kids in need. We join food drives at their schools and pass along clothes they’ve outgrown. They understand that lying, cheating, and stealing are no-nos. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
I want them to grasp the significance of service to others. I want them to know that simple acts of kindness can create ripples of change in our world. This past election cycle has left many of us feeling battered and bruised, with healing to be done.
My children are privileged, the products of a white, middle-class, heterosexual, married couple. I’ll remind them that with privilege comes responsibility—a lesson worth repeating. Caring for one another is our duty.
Today, I’ll encourage my kids to be a friend to everyone, not just today but every day. I’ll strive to show them how to accept defeat with grace. It’s important for them to learn that sometimes we’re not on the winning team. While we can’t alter the election results, we can remain true to ourselves.
I’ll teach them to see people as individuals. The differences that make us diverse should not evoke fear. They’ll learn that we have more in common than not. Disagreements can happen, but respect must remain at the core. I hope they can find ways to communicate, even with those who may not reciprocate that respect.
Our faith and ethics guide us not to harm others with our words. I want to instill in them the importance of thoughtful speech. They must learn to speak out when they or someone else is wronged. Silence in the face of racism or homophobia only makes us complicit.
While we can’t control election outcomes, we can control our actions and attitudes. Let’s take a moment to set aside politics and breathe together. We have the power to reach out to someone with opposing views, striving to understand them, hoping for the same in return. We have the ability to be the change we wish to see in our world. We can still mend what’s been broken. We can be the light.
This article originally appeared on November 9, 2016.
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Summary
In the face of challenges, it’s essential to emphasize the importance of love, kindness, and responsibility. As parents, we can guide our children to understand their privilege and the power of service, while also encouraging them to treat others with respect and compassion. Together, we can still repair what’s been broken and be the light in our communities.