Caring for Kids After an Election

Caring for Kids- Post Election

It is easy for adults to get caught up in emotions following the results of an election. This year has been a draining year when it comes to emotions. Adults who interact with kids would be wise to be aware of how these fueled emotions may be affecting kids. Many kids are sensitive to emotions and don't realize the difference between what belongs to someone else and what is theirs. This will cause children to fall into anxiety, sadness, anger and confusion which may be released through different behaviors. 

My first suggestion is to do your own check in with where you are at with your feelings and emotions. Are you projecting any of that in any way that your children may be picking up on. Remember, you don't have to say anything, they will sense it without any words being said. You may be able to take a clue or two from your child and connect to their world of infinite possibilities. What else is possible through this that we have never considered? - may be a starting point to get yourself in check. What would it take for you to find your own peace and calm? 

Next, be aware of any changes that your child may be demonstrating that are not their usual behavior or responses. Check in with what you are aware of about this and what do you sense it may be about. Then you can ask your child, "What are you experiencing, feeling or thinking?" If they bring up that they are sad, angry, confused, anxious, mad, or frustrated, you can ask them if they know what that might be about. They may say they don't know, which is one way of them telling you that it isn't theirs; they don't have a reason to be in such a mood. You can then offer them a way of releasing the feelings, which really aren't feelings, but rather they are perceiving these energetic moods and attaching them as real for them. Let them know that they can take charge and destroy and un-create those feelings and thoughts. One way is to choose how you would like to release or destroy those thoughts and feelings. One boy told me that he liked to light a fuse and let it blow up. Another girl told me that she imagined doing a karate chop that broke it all to pieces. It is up to them. Allow them to use this to destroy those emotions that aren't theirs and to choose how they would like to be feeling. For more ideas watch the video above. 

Teaching kids that they don't need to be controlled by emotions, theirs or those of anyone else empowers them to choose a better response that isn't steeped in fear or doubt. It is what empowered parents offer to their kids. 

---