Reply #28: As with all things, I give her the straight truth about how I feel.

[davsand]

My daughter is turning 7 in a few days. We've had a lot of this kind of shit coming up since the asswipe took office.

It really began with 9/11 and as much as we tried to insulate her from it, it was EVERYWHERE. Like everyone else, we wanted information. We kept the TV off as much as possible, but even then, she saw it,and was afraid. We got questions about were we safe when we were at work, and why did it happen. When we had answers, we tried to give them to her in terms she could understand.

In the prelude to the Iraq invasion and after it was underway it was difficult to insulate her. She came home from school asking why "bad men" were trying to kill _____'s brother over in Iraq. (one of her classmates had a brother injured over there.) She asked why there are wars. She wanted to know if a war was gonna come here.

The same thing went on in the primary election, and she went to a slumber party and asked the mom who she was voting for. (I had a real second of satisfaction when she told me that the mom had told her she supported the President and my kid actually asked her why, since "this guy" started a war! We did have a chat about THAT as well, but it did make me feel like some of what we'd said had stuck.)

Our kid has been a part of our political activities--she has gone to meetings when practical. She has been involved in some of the marches and parades when it was safe and comfortable for her (Usually that involved her being able to ride rather than march.)

We have explained to her that not everyone sees it the way we do--that there are people who hold different views. We have also explained to her WHY we feel and act the way we do, and we have tried to let her know that it is not something that is "wrong" to speak out about.

If you have a kid who feels the country is failing-that we are no longer the "good guys" I'd suggest talking about the fact that it is up to US to change that direction. You may want to consider talking about the fact that the government derives its power from the consent of the people--and WE ARE THE PEOPLE.

We CAN make a difference, and THAT is the one thing I have worked to let my kid know. I figure the world is a creepy place for me, it must be awful for a kid--especially when they feel so small and so powerless. I decided that the best thing I could do for her was to at least set an example of involvement and participation in the process.

Pax to you, and I bet your kids come thru this just fine. They are lucky to have a parent who cares about it and is working to do such a good job.

Laura