6 TIPS FOR TALKING TO YOUR CHILDREN AND TEENS ABOUT THE ELECTION OUTCOME

The outcome of the 2024 Presidential Election may have stirred up strong feelings for many of us, and it’s likely that children are picking up on the emotions surrounding this pivotal moment in history. If you are feeling a myriad of emotions, your child may be experiencing a similar mix—especially if the election results differ from their expectations or beliefs. Talking about the election with children can be difficult; however, following are six helpful tips for talking to your children about the election outcome.& Father and son talking. ADOBE STOCK IMAGES 1. Start by Listening Before diving in with your thoughts, ask the other person how they’re feeling about the results. Listening first helps set a tone of respect and gives insight into their perspective. Sometimes, people just want to be heard, especially if they’re feeling anxious, disappointed, or uncertain about the future. 2. Acknowledge Emotions Election results often evoke intense feelings, from joy to sadness and frustration. Validating these emotions is important, even if you don’t share them. Saying, “I can see this result is really important to you” or “I understand why you’d feel that way” goes a long way toward maintaining a compassionate, understanding environment for discussion....