Editorial 

Swirl of History = Real Family Values

October 2008

By all accounts this is a record breaking time to be alive. With the swirl of recent events from Wall Street to the upcoming elections, we are living history right now. It is nearly impossible to keep these precedent setting topics out of dinner conversation, chance encounters with friends and off the TV or radio stations. So obviously your children are hearing what's happening - or at least some versions of news that involves panic, excitement, doom, optimism, exciting times ahead or the end of the world as we know it.

How do you handle news from the world outside of your family in your house? Do you just assume that your children don't notice what's going on? Or are you engaged in heated debates with others while they look on in wonder? These times in our lives can be an opportunity for you to teach your child about your values.

Kids can understand about saving and wanting to spend more money than they have in their pocket. Whatever you do with younger children, be sure to reassure them that, as an adult, you will take care of them and that they do not need to be afraid of the future for your family. How would you explain the banks and housing market to your kids? Do you understand? For older children you can use this opportunity to talk to them about objectively about how over-spending and risk taking can affect how people live. Sometimes by explaining to someone else it can help us understand better and in doing so provide an opportunity for us to look at the choices we've made and how we'll move forward.

This year's election will set it's own records because major issues that have traditionally been considered areas of discrimination - race, gender, age will all have an impact on who is elected. Who you vote for reflects what you value. However, there is also another element to consider - what is your value regarding respect for the opposition. How you discuss issues is as much a lesson for your children as who you vote for in an election. Can you tolerate dissention of opinion in your family? Are you open to both sides of an argument/debate?

Our kids are watching us now - every bit as much as they're hearing news. Their opinions will be formed by what they see in the larger world but also from how they see their parents react. It's easy to talk about values as abstract concepts but how we live our values - especially under stress - teaches our children much more powerful lessons.

ParentWorks.com