Lately, my pre-teen son has been feeling anxious. Just the other morning, he wrapped his arms around me and asked, “Mom, what’s our plan?” After a thoughtful conversation, it hit me: his worries go beyond just the political climate. He’s aware of the divisions in our society; he senses the hurt and anger around him. It’s a significant weight for a kid who still can’t cast a ballot.
My daughter, a middle schooler, is fortunate to have an empathetic teacher who recently shared a heartfelt message with parents on social media. This teacher reminded us that our kids need to feel secure. These 11-year-olds spend hours in her classroom, and she made it clear that they are frightened.
They’re anxious for their friends who identify as LGBTQ+ and worried for themselves, too. “Some kids are grappling with confusion as they witness intense emotions at home. This isn’t just about arguments. It’s about fostering understanding and empathy.”
Our incredible kids—the future generation—are absorbing so much, even without screens in front of them. They can sense our emotions. They’re sponges soaking up everything around them and need our help to process it all.
Children will continue to seek guidance from trusted adults—parents, educators, coaches, and others—looking for examples and a sense of stability. They require our support and validation. Here’s how we can help:
We Listen.
Let’s truly hear what they have to say. We need to embrace open-minded discussions, demonstrating to our kids what respectful dialogue looks like. By modeling our values, we can take a stand without being confrontational. It’s vital to admit when we’re wrong and be willing to learn more before forming strong opinions.
We Walk Together.
Thank goodness for our dedicated teachers, who are collaborating with students to create mission statements for their classrooms. This process fosters a shared message of support and acceptance, which is crucial. Students are sending a clear signal to future leaders: they won’t accept hate or exclusion. They’re organizing peaceful rallies, sharing positive messages on social media, and reaching out for help to create safe spaces for their peers. Our children and their passionate teachers are nothing short of inspiring.
We Empower Their Voices.
Encouraging our kids to speak out against injustice is essential. They can’t be passive observers. Every day presents opportunities for them to foster acceptance and respect in their interactions with peers and adults alike.
We Teach Kindness.
Small acts of kindness are what we need most right now. Adults must model this behavior, as kids learn by example. Positive actions—whether volunteering, smiling, or offering a helping hand—can counterbalance confusion and negativity in the world.
We Reinforce Their Impact.
It’s crucial they understand that their actions and words matter. Voting isn’t the only way to create change; we can all contribute positively, even while feeling heartbroken. Encourage your children to explore issues they care about and channel that into action, whether through volunteering or fundraising. Empower them so they can uplift others.
We Keep Educating.
Kids should understand how democracy works. The President doesn’t get to enact every whim. In our great country, we have the right to challenge unjust decisions peacefully. We must remind them that the President’s role is to serve all Americans, not just those who supported him.
We Model Love Over Hate.
We can say it repeatedly, wear pins, and participate in marches, but we must also put our words into action. It’s essential to live out our values. From where I stand, a movement is emerging. We must express our intolerance for racism, Islamophobia, misogyny, and victim blaming.
As parents, we need to demonstrate that actions speak louder than words. This movement of unity is taking shape, and I hope you’re witnessing it, too—in schools, grocery stores, town halls, and restaurants. Just the other day, I spotted a sticky note in my local Target that read, “You matter.”
Let’s continue to build on this momentum. Let’s push forward and never look back. There’s still so much work to be done. If you haven’t witnessed unity in your community yet, take the initiative—start something, say something, create something. Our kids are watching us.
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In summary, our children are the future, and it’s our responsibility to guide them through these turbulent times with understanding, kindness, and empowerment. They need to see us taking action, standing up for what’s right, and creating a world where love triumphs over hate.