With midterms on November 8 and all that has recently happened in the courts, voting—and politics—is more important than ever. And not just for adults.
Even if your kids can’t vote, introducing and discussing politics is something all parents should do. It’s less about kids understanding the complexities of elections or the intricacies surrounding each proposition, and more about emphasizing the importance of why we vote in the first place.
- To stand up for what we believe in.
- To make a difference that reflects our values and beliefs.
- To vote in candidates that will shape a future in which we will thrive and want to live.
Whether your child is 5 or 15, it is critical to get them involved in the next election, be it midterms, city council, or for the next President of the United States. Easing your kids into politics will bode all the better—for themselves, their city, country, and the world when they come of age to cast their own vote.
Civic engagement begins at the grassroots: at home. You know the popular method of getting kids to eat vegetables by dousing it with sauce to cover up what it really is? Same here. Start by making politics a part of your family life in a way that isn’t obvious it’s about politics. Choose to vote on something important to your child. Maybe it’s what to have for dinner or dessert, or what movie to watch as a family later in the week. If your kids are older, you can get them familiar with pitching—have them create an argument for their choice and explain it to the family.
Creating a family vote provides the perfect segue to another political topic: differing opinions. Teaching children to respect others’ opinions is just as important as teaching them to voice their own—and knowing how to handle a disagreement comes with that. It’s okay to not share the same values. But it is not okay to silence someone else’s opinion because of its difference. Let your child know that everyone having a say is essential to equality, and that while they don’t have to agree, they do have a responsibility to listen and be respectful.
It's also a good idea to show kids just how involved civic engagement can be. Show them around the community and point out the signs—they pop up earlier every election year. Who knows, maybe your kid will even bring it up themselves! But if they don’t, point the signs out as you drive past the neighbor’s house or see one plastered in a business window. Encourage your kid to take notice—maybe even make a game out of it and see which one of you can spot the most. Or have your kid keep a tally of how many signs they see for one candidate versus another.
Now that they have played an active role in understanding the importance of elections and perhaps even tallied up votes around the area, take your kid to the polls when the time comes to cast your vote (or sit them down and fill out your ballot together if you are completing a mail-in ballot). However you choose to vote, share the actual process because creating active participation will leave a lasting impression. Ask them to help you fill out your ballot. Have them send it in if you’re physically at the polls. And if you are there, be sure to walk them through the social guidelines: the waiting involved, no electioneering (attempting to persuade others present to vote for a certain candidate), etc. If you’re voting via mail-in, explain why there are various ways of voting—why it is a necessary option and the ongoing fights across the country to keep them. And much like a participation trophy in any sport, give them your I Voted sticker at the end of the process as a physical badge to remind them of what they have participated in.
Raising kids to vote doesn’t end when all the ballots are in, so be sure to keep your child engaged during the counting process and after the results are announced. Give them a visual representation using an object—coins, magnets, bottle caps, anything. Start with 100 each and divide them into two piles to represent the percentage each candidate received. If your child is older, let them know of other numbers, like how many people in your area voted and how many in the state. Help them understand that voting is a countrywide affair, and that their voice, though it may feel insignificant, counts just as much. Let them help you count, and after the results are in front of them, explain the concept of winning and losing. There are lessons in both: gratitude and humility, and acceptance and perseverance. Both reinforce how important voting is, which you can continue to use to encourage your kids each time an election rolls around.
Politics is too often associated with disrespect, contempt, and hatred across the country. It is so important now to raise our kids differently when it comes to this divisive topic, and to raise them to come together during elections rather than drawing lines. We must raise kids to vote with joy for their values, confidence in their voices, and above all, respect for themselves and others.
Lisa Wong is a freelance writer, editor and in-house editor. She has a background in journalism before transitioning primarily to book publishing.