Oct 23, 2024

Parenting Amidst the Political Storm

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by Dana Squires

Election season is here!

As Americans, we have the privilege to (and definitely should) engage in the democratic process of these elections. It’s just that it can be hard.  Hard to know when to speak up.  Hard to know when to stay silent.  Hard to know how to answer questions from our kids about certain topics and issues. In a world where opinions are loud and headlines are constant, how should we respond?

For Christian parents, this isn’t just a moment to talk about politics—it’s an opportunity to guide our children in faith, wisdom, and discernment in a culture that often feels harsh and divided.

So the question is, how do we, as believers, engage in politics and guide our children through this political season at hand? Dr. Turman from the Denison Forum takes a great approach and shares valuable reminders in his podcast called Faith and Politics with Dr. Mark Turman. He discusses the importance of character in political leaders, keeping faith and love at the center of our interactions, tips for discussing issues, and the importance of infusing our conversations with the fruit of the Spirit and approaching others respectfully.

In addition, Christian Parenting has published a mini digital guide to politics for families. This is a free and wonderful resource for parents on how to share their opinions while also allowing kids to establish their own, and how to talk about tough topics utilizing respect, integrity, and compassion. This guide also discusses the importance of knowing the issues to consider when voting and how to discern who to vote for.

Finally, in Politics and Parenting: Guiding Our Children Through 2024, Christina Embree from ReFocus Ministry states, “It’s not about raising good citizens or making sure our children choose the right side on partisan issues.  As Christians, everything that we do including how we engage in politics is informing them about who we are and how we follow Christ.”  This is a great perspective and something we should keep at the forefront of our minds, especially during this political season.

Remember, as parents you have the greatest influence on your children, so utilize this wisely. You are laying Faithful Foundations and building a spiritual heritage for your family that will last.