Kids and Politics

            This year’s presidential candidates have provided us with plenty to discuss, at work, at home and even at school. My eleven-year old twin boys have come home from school full of reports about their classmates’ political views and which candidate they’re supporting. I don’t remember even caring about politics when I was their age!

            One of the issues we’ve had to address in our own home is character. Our oldest son who is thirteen, seems to have some very strong opinions about socialism, abortion (he is very strongly opposed!) and the right to carry a gun in self-defense.

            For a while, he and I found ourselves butting heads over some of the lesser issues, expressing our opinions very openly and strongly. I had to take a step back and reevaluate what I wanted my boys to absorb from these discussions. Here are a few lessons I learned in the process.

1.      Discuss, don’t debate

Debates can get very heated, very quickly. Each person is advocating their side and no one is really listening to the other person. As a result, walls go up, communication breaks down, feelings get hurt and words are spoken that we most likely will regret later on.

Don’t be so passionate about your candidate that you break down the barriers of communication between you and your child. Instead of advocating for an individual, use this opportunity to discuss what characteristics a good leader should possess. Base those qualities on what the Bible tells us. Here are a few:

·         Honesty

·         Values people over money

·         Possesses wisdom

·         Values the sanctity of life

·         Shows respect to all men and women

·         Godliness

·         Moral purity

·         Sound judgement

·         Compassion and understanding for all people

2.      Teach your child to show respect for our leaders and pray for them.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for those in a position of leadership. This was in the time of Nero, a tyrannically emperor who persecuted Christians ruthlessly. So why would he urge Timothy to pray for all who are in authority? Because he understood that God is mightier than any earthly ruler and can change the hearts and minds of all men.

It grieves me to no end to hear so many people, and Christians in particular, bash our current president. I am very concerned with some of his moral choices and laws he’s trying to pass, yet it is wrong for me to criticize and insult the man who is leading our country because that is not pleasing to God. It also doesn't teach our children to respect authority. As parents, we ought to be talking about the issues, rather than the person trying to promote them. Lead your family in prayer, asking God to change the hearts and minds of our nation’s leaders. Pray that our nation returns to God. Show your children how, each time the people of Israel turned their backs on God, disaster struck. Yet when they humbled themselves and prayed, God acted powerfully and healed their land.  

3.      Let it go

Obsession over who will be the next president can cause you and your children much stress and anxiety. Cast your vote, pray, educate your children, then give it over to God. Take a step back. Lead by example. Let your disposition and behavior reflect your belief that, ultimately, God is in control. Memorize Psalm 47:8; God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.

            As parents, we need to address current issues with our children. It is part of our job description and one God doesn’t take lightly. Urge your children to talk about the topics they hear at school and turn it into a learning opportunity. Teach them the importance of good character over power and money. And pray together, as a family. Pray for our leaders, pray for our future president, whoever he or she may be. Then let it go.

            God is in control. Live it, breathe it and show it to your children. They will learn some very valuable lessons in the process.