How do you explain the current political campaign for president when you can barely wrap your own head around it? This presidential campaign could be classified as “PG-13” or for “Mature Audience Only”, at times. We want our kids to be aware of what is going on in the country but what if what is going is very ugly. How can we use this situation as a “teachable moment”?
We want our leaders to set the example and to be someone our children can look up to, but it is difficult to condone some of the behaviors we are seeing this campaign season. The actual debates where candidates are insulting and accusing each other are not appropriate for young children. Many tweens and teens are required to watch the debates and follow the campaign as assignments, though. There are, however, some very valuable lessons which can be passed on to our children.
Here are five of those lessons:
- Character is what you do and say when you think that no one can see or hear you.
- The lust for power can corrupt a person. Nobody is above the law.
- Insults and accusations will not earn you admiration. The lower your opponent goes with insults, the higher you should go.
- Lies can be revealed. Try to cover up your lies just leads to more lies.
- Your social media and emails will follow you for the rest of your life. Be proud of what you post and email.
Helping your children process what we see on TV can generate good discussions. Here are some pointers to share with your children.
- Trying to get away with something when they think that someone will not find out doesn’t always work out. You have to live with what you said or did.
- The lust for power can be explained by recalling someone who will do or say anything to get what he or she wants. Most kids know someone like this at school who tries to win a school election or just tries to be popular or cool.
- Resist the temptation to hurl a worse insult to someone who is insulting you. It is better to walk away or try to reason with the other person, if possible.
- When you lie, you have to live with the stress that your lie will be discovered or that you will have to invent another lie to cover your original lie.
- Be very careful when posting on social media or emailing anyone. Social media posts and emails do not disappear just because you delete them.
Sex, lies, and videotapes is the name of an old movie but it could unfortunately sum up the downside of this presidential campaign. Our candidates can be an example of what we should be in life or what not to be. Use the lessons of this historic campaign to help your children learn how to be an honorable citizen.
Original content by Kathleen Matchunis, B.A., M.S., CPC. Call academic and life coach, Kathy Matchunis for a complimentary consultation. Tel. 954- 294 -9708
