How to Talk to Your Kids
About Current Events by Zeb Little My children—who are now 20, 19, 17, 15 and 13—were most often concerned with what happened at school earlier in the day, what time practice was in the afternoon, and where, and with whom, they are going on Friday night. Current events were lower on their “priority totem pole,” so to speak. However, in this age of instant news—and the incessant commentary that follows—children can’t help being exposed to the reporting of current events. How do we talk with our children about these events? On Sept. 11, 2001, my then 4-year-old son was at work with me while the Alabama Legislature was in special session. We watched on television as the second plane hit the World Trade Center and then, later, as both towers fell. This was the first time that I remember him being concerned with current events. I honestly answered his questions to the best of my ability while assuring him that everything was OK and that our elected leaders would protect us. He listened intently and was satisfied with my answers. A few days later, I observed him playing with a
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friend trying to catch “Bin Laden.” Of course, 9/11 was one of the most important days in our American history and was impossible to escape notice by everyone—including our children. However, during a presidential election cycle like we are in now, the rhetoric is at an all-time high. Recently, my 19-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter engaged in a discussion about whether a current presidential candidate was telling the truth. I encouraged both of them to consider the source upon which they based their opinion, listen to the other person and consider their source, and to further investigate the matter prior to making up their minds on an issue. I also required that they be civil and respectful of the other’s opinions. In our family, my wife and I listen to our children when we are approached with a question about current events and we try to honestly answer their questions in an age-appropriate manner. This approach has worked for us and resulted in some very interesting conversations while always bring us closer together.