Since the early part of this year we as Americans have wrestled with the difficult task of weeding through the partisan sound bites and media accounts concerning the President's behavior. It is a process that has clearly divided the country and few, it seems, are indifferent on the issues. This is neither an editorial nor a political commentary. Our current political situation, however, effects our children at home, at school, and at play. Even my children, who rarely watch any TV, have at least a vague idea about what is going on in Washington, D.C. What I wish to do in this closing column for this year is to address the issue and how it can be most effectively discussed with our children.
As always, what you say to children and how you say it is dependent upon the child's age. For simplicity's sake and because of the limited space I am given for my thoughts let me keep my comments in generalities and you can narrow or broaden them depending on the ages of your children.
I, like most of you, have very strong feelings about our leaders, their behavior, and the motives that seem to drive their actions. However, I want my children to grow up thinking for themselves. When my ten-year-old first asked me what "impeachment" was back in the spring, I restrained myself from political indoctrination. Not only is she too young to understand it all, it wouldn't be productive. The issue for her to understand is that the President was accused of behaviors that were inappropriate and possibly illegal. The job of the Congress was to decide whether or not he was guilty. There was no need for me to discuss the President's sexual behavior, conservative or liberal views, or who is out to get who. I discussed what the impeachment process means to us as Americans. We discussed the fact that, regardless of the guilt or innocence of the President, impeachment is a drastic and serious step. Of course, our country would be better off if none of this had happened. However, painful the process is, our leaders are elected and paid to make these decisions. This question also gave me the opportunity to discuss with her the importance of honesty, integrity, and character as it relates to her, not as it relates to the President.
Older children may have more questions about specific sexual behaviors. Tell them candidly what you know about the behaviors and what your personal and religious views are concerning such behaviors. If you like, you can share your opinions about the President and his ability to lead. I encourage you, however, to allow your children to make up their own minds. What our country doesn't need are citizens who thoughtlessly follow the opinion of others. One of our greatest challenges as parents is to teach our children to think for themselves. By the teen years they should be doing this readily.
As my family traveled in the van the day of the impeachment vote, my middle child (age 6) hearing the word "impeachment" several times wanted to know what was wrong with "Mr. Peach." She doesn't need to be burdened with my opinions about the President, the Democrats or Republications, or any other such issue. It is easy to assume your family is the captive audience who will listen as you indoctrinate them with your opinions. I suggest that you not forget your role as a teacher of your children. Teaching them to think is a primary objective.
