I come here again every 4 years. TV news and advertisements. A flyer in the mail. Post on social media. Conversation at the dinner table. It’s everywhere, because…it’s election season.
From local elections to national elections, this once-every-four-year period leaves many adults feeling bombarded with everything political can throw at them. Enough to wear for an adult’s overall mental state. So if this can overwhelm adults, imagine how this affects children and young people.
Just like us, children watch news, advertisements, and listen to debates. These days, it pops up on your device even when you’re not searching for it. Additionally, they hear about the election from their peers at school and through assignments where they write a report or complete a project about the election.
Not only is election season a difficult time for children, but especially when there is little or no guidance, the information can be confusing, contradictory, or different from what people in their natural network believe. There is a possibility that So how can caregivers help?
First, we need to understand how children receive and process information and how this can affect their mental and physical health. This may include social media monitoring, supervision of television and news consumption, and open conversations about questions that arise. Children and young people may respond differently to this information, with changes in emotional, behavioral, and physical reactions. Signs that caregivers should look out for include:
Lack of emotional control when discussing sensitive topics Increased emotional instability (emotional and physical) Reduced ability to regulate Changes in peer group Difficulty disengaging from media material or interest in certain topics increases
Second, parents can help their children by encouraging open conversations about election season. These discussions can be challenging for caregivers as well, but caregivers need to use their skills to stay present, answer questions honestly, and seek out more information if the situation becomes confusing. There is.
When having these conversations, pace yourself, take breaks, and remember that it’s okay to disagree respectfully, even if your child has a different opinion than you. As a caregiver, you will be modeling how your child receives and digests this information. Here are some tips to help you stay regulated.
Understand the roots of your emotional reactions Identify your questions and concerns and seek out information to improve your understanding Tap into your own coping skills Know when to withdraw from information or conversations What you can control Focus on Maintaining Boundaries
In addition to helping children develop the ability to cope with and regulate their emotions, caregivers should also be mindful of their children’s physical and emotional safety. As your family heads into election season, take the opportunity to research information together to ease your fears and provide unconditional, active support for your overall mental and physical health.
If you, as a carer, notice a significant change in your child’s mood or behavior, or if your family needs additional support for a mental health issue, please contact your local or regional helpline. or call 988 National Crisis Helpline.
Jack Cutillo is the Associate Clinical Director for Community-Based Programs at Youth Villages of New England and has worked for national nonprofit organizations for 17 years. She has a Ph.D. He holds professional licenses in several states. In addition to youth village activities, Cutillo manages a small number of youth and young adult cases in private practice and serves as president of the local school district’s board of directors.
