I debated about whether or not I would write a post about this topic. We’re definitely on overload. And while conversations from adults are what they are, it the kids that I want to talk about. I’ve recently been asked by several people what I’m telling my children. My answer is, “We have a new president-elect, who will take office in January.” No more, no less. Every election it seems like our children are becoming involved more and more. And not just involved by knowing what is going on and having fun learning about things; but actively involved in the disgusting underbelly of the election. Kids coming home telling their parents that their friends will be deported in Trump wins, others talking about how Hilary should be in jail. Both sides feel justified in their anger; and both sides have justified the actions of the other. Her emails weren’t really that bad, he said those things as a celebrity, what he said was worse than anything she may have done.

No matter what I firmly, and without questions, believe that our children should not bear the weight of what is going on right now. They are going to schools and talking to friends, parroting things they are hearing – spreading the fear, anger, judgement and whatever else to small children who are entirely too young to be worrying about this. My five, eight and possibly my ten year old don’t need to be scared or feel like their world could implode at any moment. That the election of one man will suddenly cause a tidal wave of destruction that will deport their friends, imprison people, take away rights and destroy our country. And if the election had turned gone another way I would say the same thing.

So what DO I say to my kids? I tell them, “we have a new President, there are many people upset, and many happy. Someone was going to be angry and someone was going to be happy. No matter what you hear on tv or from your friends at school, Mommy and Daddy have it under control. You don’t need to be worried about anything. Just be excited there is a new President, and its okay to be sad that President Obama isn’t going to be anymore.” President Obama is the only President they have really known. They know about him, watch him on TV and look up to him in the way any child should someone like our Country’s President. As military kids they are keenly aware that he is their daddy’s boss and is making decisions about their daddy. There is so much they do worry about in their life, and adding more to that isn’t what we are about.

How do I ACT? All I can do is set an example for them. An example of love and kindness. As Christians, as a Jesus loving, faith-based household that is my belief and my duty as a parent. And that’s it. There is plenty of time for all the other things in life. Plenty of time.