I know that some parents think that the rough-and-tumble language of the recent political debates and coverage has been too unseemly for children (and maybe for everyone else too), but actually, I’ve noticed an uptick in my children’s interest lately. I no longer feel like I’m coercing them to watch the news with me and they seem to be engaged by the contest aspect of it all, much as they might be engaged in “Cupcake Wars” or other reality show contests. However, they’re also starting to ask me for some background on the issues, and of course they’re staking out positions that are much like their parents’, as many children tend to do.
Still I was surprised by a special request from my teenage daughter last night. After 11pm last night, with the two of us on different ends of the couch–me watching the analysis of the election and she catching up on some social media before sleep–I was bored with all the talk about whether Bernie or Hillary was going to win in Michigan, so I kept on flipping channels to find the answer and I ended up dawdling a little on “Shark Tank.” And to my surprise, I was scolded! Elena said to me: “What are you doing? I’m listening to the election results!” This was an unexpected but deeply appreciated first in our relationship and, i guess, another sign that she’s growing up.
I returned to the political talking heads; she decided not to wait up for the end result and I informed her in the morning.
