It’s time to exhale; the election is over! You’ve prayed and voted. Now it’s time to discuss the winners and losers with your children in a constructive way so they learn how to express their views with clarity and conviction.
How to discuss post-election results with children:
Assign everyone a job
Don’t start with a list you want to discuss
Listen when your kids talk
Don’t allow siblings to mock or put down each other
Affirm each other
Don’t get into arguments
Ask leading questions
Over the years, we attended rallies and spoke with candidates to learn more about their policies and principles. When the polls closed, we would watch the election results come in as a family. Some of our candidates won and some lost. For weeks, we talked about what would happen next. I wanted them to learn life will go on. Once they grew-up, I wondered if they would take their responsibility seriously. They do! I’ve learned those post-election results conversations made a difference in how they process elections. Your children might not seem interested right now, but they are listening and learning from you. It’s your opportunity to influence your child, whether your candidate won or lost.
Elections can create tension between family members. But we can discuss politics, share our positions, and engage in dynamic conversations with our children without blow-ups and slammed doors! Here are some election-week tips!
Election Week Tips
Don't expect complete agreement
Avoid negative verbal exchanges
Stop if tempers flare
Ask for clarification
Remain calm
It's okay to press pause
You are raising young adults
When children understand that home is a safe place to express their opinions and discuss important political topics, they gain the confidence to participate in the election process as adults.
Do you know people who believe they know the right way to parent children? I sure do. Over the years, I’ve encountered many well-meaning people eager to help me get it right! Some of the advice I’ve been given has been good, but some haven’t! That is why you must choose who you listen to carefully.
Thoughts on Who You Listen To
There isn’t one way to parent well! (There, I said it)
No one knows your child better than you! (Truth)
Warning: Your friend or ministry leader doesn’t have all the answers! (It’s the truth)
Five simple tips…myth! (There is nothing simple about effective parenting)
If you are in doubt, ask the architect! (That would be the Lord)
Though many want to encourage you in your journey, be leery! Not all advice-givers are the same. God knows the plans he has for your child! Be a wise listener!
Do you know how to walk through seasons of loss or grief? Many are asking. If we are honest, we've all gone through tough seasons: losing a job, a parent, a child, or a friendship. How you process the loss is critical to your emotional well-being.
What to Do During Seasons of Loss
Ask God to lead you
Call a trusted friend
Understand your season and live it well
Silence the enemy
Give yourself time to sit and process
Don't get stuck
While loss and grief are common to each of us, how we cope is very different. Pay attention to what you are feeling and work through the emotions at your pace.
Do you want to be a wise woman? You can be! I’m always asked how I decide what projects to accept and what to decline. Today, I share what I’ve learned from Proverbs 31:16a and how to apply it in your life. You can be like the woman in Proverbs 31 who considers things wisely.
How She Considers Wisely
How should a woman consider before she decides?
Prayer
Plan
Purpose
Learning to trust the Lord, listening to others, and asking the right questions can help you gain the confidence you need to make wise decisions, too!
