Set aside some quiet time, and ask open questions like, Who do you think should be president?
Then let them answer.
Try not to steer the conversation toward your beliefs or argue.
Keep things age-appropriate
Children at different ages understand the world in different ways.
Younger children see the world in simplistic, absolute terms.
They believe in rules, expectations, and are innocent enough to ask for justice instead of mercy.
Older kids can (sometimes) grasp the nuances and contradictions in human endeavor.
A reasonable explanation for a sixteen year-old.
Im not suggesting you lie, but both parenting and politics require message discipline.
So massage the truth a little.
If your child says, Im worried that Trump will be re-elected, dont respond with, Right?
Were all going to die!
Instead, say, Im a little worried too, but its only for four years.
Like The Civil War.
Or the period after The Reconstruction.
Or the Great Depression.
Or World War II, and on, and on.
Our nation has been poised on the brink of collapse regularly, but it never quite topples over.
Theres something reassuring about the constancy of chaos in public life.
So steer conversations with kids toward public policy instead of politics.
Discuss the broad strokes: Why we have the laws we have.
Explain what voting is and how the government is structured and works.
(You might need to do some research for this.)
(Even if theyre stupid.)
Try something like We dont agree about everything instead.
Use it asa lesson on media literacy, and talk about the messages youre receiving.
venture to get them to think critically about what is behind it.
Discuss who made it and why.
Discuss the tactics usedis it trying to scare people?
Are the claims it makes true?
So engage in politics in a meaningful, positive way.
Put a sign on your lawn.
Have family political discussions regularly.
Discuss how your own value system lines up with your political views.
Discuss how you came to hold the views you have and where your values come from.
