Tip of the week: Vote!

No matter how hard you try, there is no escaping the election coverage this year. Regardless of who you are voting for, here are some basics on talking with your kids about the upcoming election:

  1. Be respectful. This is a perfect time to teach your kids about respect even for people that you do not like. We have all been guilty of saying some not-so-nice things about the candidate that we are not voting for. Please be sure that when your kids are within earshot, (which is basically every second of the day because they seem to be able to hear everything!) keep your comments respectful. Allowing children to speak disrespectfully of adults gives the impression that it is ok to disrespect authority — their teachers, doctors, and you.

  2. Keep it simple and developmentally appropriate. Keep topics general such as moral character, honesty, helping others, and avoid topics like budgets and national security that can be overwhelming and frightening to some kids.

  3. Vote. Show your kids that you are an active participant in the change that you want to see. If you are all talk and no action, you are showing your kids that it is ok to stand by passively and watch others make decisions for you.

Above all else, your kids need to feel safe. Even if you feel like the world is going to end if your candidate doesn’t win, it’s probably best to keep that to yourself.

 

Patrice Carroll, Latham Centers’ Director of PWS Services, is world-renowned for her Prader-Willi syndrome expertise. She works with Latham students and residents, their families, and other experts, continuously learning and teaching about PWS best practices. If you have PWS-related questions, we invite you to email TipTopics@LathamCenters.org.

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