With elections just weeks away, political divisions and rhetoric are intensifying, and children may be feeling the effects.
From disagreements between family and friends to heated conversations kids overhear, to the proliferation of negative ads and social media posts, it’s nearly impossible for kids to avoid political noise. .
Politics and parenting: Overcoming negative situations:
To help parents get through this difficult time, Rebecca Hoffman, a longtime family therapist and director of Maine Health’s Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation, teaches essential life skills while building essential life skills. Share strategies for guiding children through emotional conversations.
Hoffman talks about why it’s important to shift the conversation at home from specific candidates to family values, and how that translates into who you support in elections. She also talks about deciphering sources to navigate fact from fiction, as well as the importance of setting boundaries when it comes to disagreements online or with family and friends.
As election season heats up, these strategies provide a guide for parents to support their children amidst the political noise.
About the guest:
Rebecca Hoffman is director of the Maine Health Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. Rebecca is a family therapist by training and has worked clinically with children, families, and communities for 25 years.
Rebecca’s main work is in the areas of trauma, violence, resilience and wellbeing. She has overseen large-scale federally funded behavioral health research and services grants focused on providing care and treatment to trauma-exposed children and families. These programs focus on preventing childhood violence exposure, implementing evidence-based trauma treatment, and fostering professional resilience. Additionally, Rebecca has overseen programs that support disaster mental health and community post-traumatic recovery. Rebecca has had extensive training and practice in the areas of childhood trauma, well-being and resilience, community coalition building, and collective healing. She has published numerous articles, book chapters, and other resources in this area.
Additional Information:
Helping young children navigate political anxiety: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/screen-time/202409/helping-young-children-navigate-election-anxiety
Seven tips for talking with kids about politics: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven_tips_for_talking_with_kids_about_politics
How politics can impact your kids and how to help: https://hopkinsallchildrens.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/how-politics-can-impact-your-kids-and-how-to-help
