In times like these, when emotions run high and news is everywhere, it's a chance for us as parents to create a teaching moment for our kids. They’re watching us closely, picking up on how we react, and now’s our chance to show them how to handle changes with a sense of resilience and purpose. My nine-year-old son has been feeling a little nervous about this election, and I realized it was the perfect time to guide him through what he’s feeling and help him see how he can choose his own responses. It reminded me of when he was younger and I had to explain big things in ways he could understand. So here are some ways we can help our kids see the bigger picture and grow from this.
Start with What We Can Control: Focus on What We Can Do
Let’s start by helping our kids understand that there are things they can control, and some they can’t. Explain that while we can’t always change outcomes, we can choose how we respond. This “sphere of control” is about focusing on what’s possible in our own lives and the things we can shape – like our kindness, learning, and actions.
Ways to Bring This to Life for Our Kids:
- Acceptance is Key: Help them see that even when things don’t go our way, we can learn to accept what we can’t change and focus on what we can.
- Encourage Ownership: Let them know that their life is their own. They can create positivity and choose to learn from every experience. We can help guide them to feel in charge of their path.
- Think Bigger: Whether it’s faith, family, or community, there’s always something greater than any one event. Encourage them to see that life is full of meaning beyond politics.
- Stay Kind: Teaching kindness is especially important when emotions are high. Show them that we can disagree respectfully and that kindness creates stronger bonds.
Creating Space for Them to Share Their Feelings
One of the best things we can do is listen. Kids have insights, and sometimes, we can learn just as much from their perspective as they can from ours. So ask them how they’re feeling about the news, and listen without judgment. This isn’t only an opportunity to teach them – it’s a chance to understand what’s in their minds and what worries them.
When my son shared his feelings, I realized he was looking for reassurance but also wanting to make sense of things on his own. Create a safe space for your child to ask questions, share their thoughts, and process what they’re hearing. Sometimes, all they need is to know that we’re there, taking their worries seriously.
The Power of Taking Breaks from News and Social Media
Let’s be honest – even for us, too much news and scrolling can be overwhelming. As parents, we can set the example by taking breaks from social media and limiting news time to focus on what really matters in our lives. Share with your child that sometimes we all need to step away from the noise to get perspective and peace. Kids thrive when they’re not bombarded with information, and they benefit from seeing us take care of our mental health.
You can set boundaries around media at home, like “news-free” family dinners, unplugging in the evenings, or limiting screen time during high-stress events. These practices help them see the value of creating space for themselves.
Building a Growth Mindset Together
One of the greatest gifts we can give our kids is a growth mindset – the understanding that we’re always learning, adapting, and finding new ways to handle whatever comes our way.
Here’s How to Reinforce This Idea:
- Be Open to Learning and Growing: Encourage your child to stay curious and keep learning about the world around them, even when things don’t seem perfect.
- Teach Resilience: Remind them that they’re strong enough to handle challenges, and every setback is an opportunity to grow.
- Don’t Limit Themselves: Help them see that they can be open to new possibilities and that they don’t need to accept the limitations others might place on them.
Action Steps: Building Resilience and Positivity Together
Here are some practical ways you can support your child’s mental health, help them stay grounded, and reinforce that they’re capable and resilient:
- Journal: Encourage them to write down their thoughts and feelings. Journaling is a powerful way for kids to process emotions and express themselves.
- Affirmations: Help your child build confidence with simple affirmations, like “I can handle challenges” or “I am in charge of my attitude.” Saying these aloud or writing them down can boost their self-esteem.
- Reading: Choose books that reinforce positive messages and resilience, or find stories that feature characters who learn and grow through challenges.
- Prayer or Quiet Reflection: Show your child the value of quiet moments, whether through prayer, meditation, or just a few minutes of silence. It can be grounding for both of you.
- Get Outside: Spending time in nature is grounding and calming. Take a walk together, visit a park, or even just sit outside for a little while. It’s a great way to reset.
- Create Together: Tap into their interests, whether it’s drawing, building, cooking, or any activity they love. Creativity is an excellent way for kids to channel their energy and focus on things they can control.
Wrapping Up: Setting the Example
More suggestions:
Family Mindfulness Moments
Consider starting or ending each day with a brief mindfulness activity together. This could be something as simple as taking three deep breaths while holding hands, a short breathing exercise, or even a one-minute meditation. It can help both of you feel more grounded and give a sense of calm to start the day fresh.
Make it a tradition to do a weekly “gratitude check-in” as a family. Reflect together on three things each of you are grateful for from the week. You can even turn it into a small art project by writing them down on colorful sticky notes or in a shared journal. This practice helps keep both of you focused on the positives.
Creating a vision board is a fun and empowering way for you and your child to focus on the things you’re excited about for the future. Grab some magazines or print images that represent goals, dreams, or things that make you happy. Focusing on the possibilities can be uplifting and help them see that they have a bright future, regardless of what’s going on outside.
Doing acts of kindness together can be a fantastic way to foster positivity. For example, you could work together to donate some old toys, make a card for a friend or family member, or even bake cookies for neighbors. It helps children (and us as parents!) feel more connected and shows that even small actions can make a big difference.
Kids love sharing what they know and how they see the world, so let them “teach” you about something they care about, whether it’s a hobby, favorite book, or how they’re feeling about current events. You might be surprised at the insights they have, and it makes them feel heard, valued, and respected.
It’s easy to overlook the value of play, especially when times are stressful. Set aside time to laugh and play together—whether it’s an impromptu dance party, a board game, or a “silly face” contest. Laughter helps to reduce stress, strengthens your bond, and keeps things lighthearted.
Kids often need to process things by asking questions. Encourage their curiosity, even if the questions seem tough or out of the blue. Let them know it’s okay to ask anything and that there are no “wrong” questions. Sometimes, just being able to ask and explore is enough to ease their minds.
Kids thrive on routine, and it can be comforting to know that certain parts of life remain steady, even when other things feel uncertain. Establishing regular family activities, like Sunday night dinners or bedtime routines, can offer stability and a sense of normalcy.
Sometimes, kids need the reassurance that it’s okay to feel however they feel. Let them know that it’s perfectly normal to feel sad, worried, or confused and that these emotions don’t need to be fixed right away. Just letting the feelings “be” is often enough.
Place a small jar somewhere in your home and call it the “Good News” jar. Anytime something positive happens—no matter how small—write it on a slip of paper and drop it in the jar. It’s a beautiful way to stay hopeful and reminds everyone that there’s always something good to notice.
Hopefully, some of these ideas give you and your child a bit of extra strength and positivity to navigate this wild season! Remember, you’re doing an incredible job, and these small, consistent actions will add up to make a meaningful difference in your and your childs' life. 💖