By Susan K. Boyd ~
I am following this, wild, Presidential campaign with interest and amazement; this may be because my undergraduate work was in sociology, or because I am a concerned citizen! I watch (maybe you do too) various news channels, but become tired of the rhetoric and accusations made by both candidates.
People are angry and scared, contributing to the extreme polarization at both ends of this presidential race for the White House. Just look at what people put on their Facebook walls! You may have both liberal and conservative friends making lots of outrageous claims! Some posts are facts and some are, well, stranger than truth. So, how do you keep good mental health, help your children understand the American process along with your personal values, without getting caught up in petty remarks from the next possible, ‘leader of the free world’?
Here are tips to assist you in staying positive, so you can encourage your children to keep faith in America and in their own power to facilitate change.
The first tip is to share with your children why you are voting for your candidate not what you hate about the other candidate. Secondly, talk with your kids about the issues you support, ex: gun control verses the right to bear arms. Tell them what you believe and what the opposition says.
Then, ask your children’s opinion. If they are young they will probably agree with you and be proud of it. If they are teenagers they may agree, be somewhat cynical or even debate you. If they are in college they may tell you why you are wrong and try to persuade you to their side. This is healthy. Kids need to think for themselves learning to backup their decisions.
The third strategy for staying positive and helping your children understand the election process is not to call all politicians crooks (as tempting as that may be). Instead, explain the checks and balances built into our system, and how that keeps the power away from any one group. The fourth recommendation is to vote. That little sticker on your shirt proves you exercised your right to choose who you think should be your president. Then explain the electoral process (you may need to Google that to refresh your memory-I know I do every four years) as you discuss it as a family.
If your kids are skeptical, as many are today, about the power of one vote, tell them about the Gore /Bush, 2000, Presidential race. Explain how close it was and the difference of a few ballots, as well as the controversy surrounding it.
If you are still negative about this election, remember you are not alone.
As flawed as our system may be, remember, many soldiers died so that America could be free. And in this free democracy, voting empowers the citizens to have a say, and lets the next generation know they have power, in a country that lets them make a difference. America is great because its people are patriotic even in a political year.
Susan K. Boyd is a Licensed Marriage & Family therapist in private practice in SLO. She can be reached for counseling at (805) 782-9800 or by email: [email protected]. Also see www.susankboydmft.com.
