Politics

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American Government in 2021 and Beyond

Yes, I’m about to launch into a talk on politics. If you’re sick of the topic or just don’t care what a nerd on the Internet has to say about the United States government, go ahead and skip this one. I’ll go back to screaming about comic books and role-playing games next time around.

So, here we are at the end of the term of President Donald Trump–three words together that once seemed so far-fetched that they were a joke on The Simpsons. The past four years in the United States have been largely defined by political divisions, racist policies, and a frightening lean into outright fascism. They culminated in an attempted coup at the Capitol Building that claimed lives. This is not the first time this sort of thing has happened, and I’m sad to say it won’t be the last time. But maybe we can prevent it from happening again for a long while. Maybe we can even learn from it as we move forward?

I don’t really feel like trying to prognosticate about the future of the United States and its elected representatives. But January 6, 2021 is going to be a defining moment in American history, as will the immediate aftermath of the insurrection. As the chapter of President Trump comes to an end, I’d like to take a moment to reflect and get my thoughts down. As the incoming President Biden vows a return to normalcy–whatever that means–I think taking a snapshot of this moment in history that I can look back upon will be very useful in the days to come.

Read more at the Screamsheet!

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What Do You Say to Your Kids if You Think America is Doomed?

American

America changed drastically last night. In a little over two months, Donald Trump will be president. His party will control congress. He gets to make a crucial Supreme Court appointment. This will be Trump’s America. Whether this frightens you or not, it is your job as a parent to keep things in perspective.

If you wanted Trump to win, you’re probably just fine. If so, please try to talk about it in an informative and constructive way. Trump is not just your president – he is our president, whether we are happy about it or not. And America needs people to understand and respect each other, now and always.

If you didn’t want a Trump victory, you might be very afraid right now. It’s easy to tell a kid there’s nothing in the closet. It’s much harder when what you’re afraid of is not only real, but running the country. How do you handle that, let alone discuss it with a child?

Read more at BabyCenter.com!

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Yes, We Can Keep Calm Even During a Terrifying Election

White House

The US is nearing the end of a scary, scary election cycle. Even worse, it’s laid the groundwork for future campaigns that focus even more on negativity and fearmongering. The election is a bogeyman that won’t go away. But if you’re a parent, then it’s your duty to show kids how to deal with bogeymen.

The things you say about the political process are likely to influence your kids’ understanding of the system. An overly jaded view sends the message that their voice doesn’t matter – and even if you think that might be true, we might as well raise kids who at least try to make a difference.

Here’s a quick guide of language you can avoid during the election cycle. Try cutting this stuff out, and you’ll be surprised at how much less scary the world becomes. Even if it doesn’t make a major difference to you, you can at least spare your kids from political bogeymen for a couple more years.

Read more at BabyCenter.com!