Since the results of the presidential election, countless parents have expressed their reactions on social media. And many are posing the same question: “What do I tell my children?”
My kids will be up any minute and I'm struggling to put on a brave face. How do I tell them a man they know to be hateful is now president?
— Kristin Dos Santos (@KristinDSantos) November 9, 2016
What do I tell my son who only remembers a Black male president and is learning how to walk while Black and live?
— I Will Block Ya Mama (@FeministaJones) November 9, 2016
While many are grappling with this question, parents have also tried to answer it ― tweeting what they told their children this morning and the kinds of people they hope their sons and daughters will grow up to be.
While many expressed a sense of fear for the present, they also hold onto hope for the future and the way their parenting will shape the citizens of this country.
Here is what parents are telling their kids about this election.
My wife's guidance to our despondent kids this morning: "Be informed. Speak up for what is right. Be good to people."
— Ed Zimmerman (@EdGrapeNutZimm) November 9, 2016
Just told my daughter, we are going to tell our friends with brown skin, with black skin, our gay married friends we love and support them.
— Katherine Fugate (@katherinefugate) November 9, 2016
"Mom, can I go to my friends' houses, I have 3 friends who are black. Can I help keep them safe?"
— Amanda Magee (@AmandaMagee) November 9, 2016
I pursed my lips, "We can sure try."
Words I told my daughter before I left for work: "it's important to be a good person." I still believe that to be true.
— Pavement Runner (@PavementRunner) November 9, 2016
I'm going to kiss my sleeping son and go to bed. Tomorrow I'll keep trying to raise him right in a world that just got a whole lot scarier.
— Josh Charles (@MrJoshCharles) November 9, 2016
Told my kids to keep their chins up and have a good day at school. Then I went to my car and cried. How is your morning?
— Mr. Onederful® (@ericonederful) November 9, 2016
I just told my daughter that Hillary didn't win but she came really really close. Closer than any woman has come before.
— Ilana Wiles (@mommyshorts) November 9, 2016
Told my girls this AM- "Usually the President is a good example for kids. Now you need to be a good example for the President" #BeTheChange
— Tony Wirt (@Wirter) November 9, 2016
My daughter's first question this morning was, "who won for president?"
— Christa Mrgan (@antichrista) November 9, 2016
After the bad news, she asked, "can I still be president?"
Yes.
I told my daughter the truth: there are a lot of frustrated people in our country who want to see things change... & they made a bad choice.
— jason (@Jason) November 9, 2016
What's crazy is that I have to tell my son that the guy who he thinks is a bully is now the president.
— Richie Loco (@Richie_l0c0) November 9, 2016
What I told my son tonight. How he can beat men like Donald: grow up to be a good man. Educated. Honest. Kind. Trump is none of those.
— Graham Daniels (@greydnls) November 9, 2016
I told my kids this morning to use their own privilege to help defend & protect others. We all must act w/in our own spheres of influence. https://t.co/z9U51ImktO
— Bey-Ling Sha (@DrSha) November 9, 2016
Things I told my daughter this morning:
— Matt Croydon (@mc) November 9, 2016
- Be nice.
- Don't let anyone be mean to anyone else.
- You can do anything you put your mind to.
Here's what I told my kids...
— Jesse Wente (@jessewente) November 9, 2016
Our people have been on this land for millennia. We've survived worse. We will overcome all of it. Be proud.
Whatever you’re feeling, know that there are other parents feeling the same way.
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