How much should we tell kids about what’s happening right now? I want my 6-year-old to be prepared for any changes the new administration might bring for our family, but I also don’t want them to feel overwhelmed or forced to grow up too fast. How do I strike that balance?
– Fátima
Dear Fátima,
Thank you for your question. It’s such an important one, and I know you’re not alone in feeling this way. Many caregivers are wondering what’s best to share with their kids, while others feel too overwhelmed to even know where to start.
Lea esta historia en español.
I hear that you want your child to be aware of what’s happening, but you also don’t want to scare them or give them information they’re not ready for. That balance can be difficult, especially in times like these, when there’s so much uncertainty.
What should kids know?
According to the Kids Mental Health Foundation, talking to children about political events helps them grow into informed, engaged citizens. This is especially important now, as we see efforts to dismantle inclusive education and restrict freedoms in schools and workplaces.
That said, what we share should always be age-appropriate and guided by what’s useful for them to know:
- For younger kids (preschool & early elementary): Keep it simple. Introduce basic ideas like what a government does, how laws are made, and how people work together to create change.
- For middle & high schoolers: This is a great time to help them explore their values, understand their power as future voters, and develop critical thinking skills by learning how to identify reliable sources of information.
Since kids will hear about these issues one way or another, it’s important they hear from someone they trust: you.
How to talk to kids about difficult topics
If your child asks questions, validate their curiosity and emotions.
You might start by asking them:
- “What have you heard?”
- “How does that make you feel?”
This helps you meet them where they are. You don’t have to share every unsettling detail, but you can talk about your family’s values — justice, resilience, and caring for others. Instead of focusing on fear, offer reassurance: “There is a solution to every problem.”
Helping kids understand harmful actions
Another timely goal is helping kids understand why people harm others. Many children are already familiar with bullies, and it can be helpful to frame injustice in a way they understand: “People who hurt others are often hurting themselves.”
I personally believe that racism, greed, and fear are mental health issues. If we can teach children early on that harm often comes from pain, they can develop both empathy and a strong sense of justice.
Empowering the next generation
Our children are already paying attention. My own daughter and her classmate recently spelled out a message that surprised me:
“They tried to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds.”
They are thinking about current events, perhaps more than we realize. As a parent myself, I believe that empowering our young ones with the truth is a revolutionary act. It breaks cycles of oppression, heals generational trauma, and plants seeds of hope in their hands — seeds that will bloom into a brighter future.
Thank you for your question, Fátima, and for caring enough to ask.
— Michelle Gutierrez
发表回复