My older son asked me today, point blank, if Donald Trump had “done anything bad as President.”
Having kids is the best exercise in editing what you say. Being honest while catering to the world view of an 11yo, who happens to be your son, is difficult.
@Miraz @danielpunkass Also, he is mean to people around him thus endangering relationships we have built. He doesn't listen to people who know better and are experts in their fields and that puts people in danger.
@pratik @danielpunkass @Miraz I'd also add that in addition to the general mean-ness (and frankly bullying behavior), he demands loyalty and is not open to even the most constructive criticism (any perceived criticism is viewed as a slight). It's a good lesson to learn the difference between trust and loyalty, how loyalty is often one-sided, and trust requires both sides be engaging and thoughtful.
@danielpunkass I don’t want to wade into the swamp on Twitter that this post engendered, but as someone who doesn’t have kids, I wanted to express my support of you trying to explain things to your kid in a way that didn’t break him too much. I understand that kids shouldn’t be burdened with the full weight of the world, and the evil people within it. I’m disappointed that you were attacked for it by so-called friends.
@danielpunkass Agree with @dejus.
Daniel, I feel proud of you for being the type of person both to put this type of effort into your parenting and share it publicly. That is difficult for so many reasons. Thank you. 💙
@danielpunkass Echoing props to you for doing this. Perhaps also add that he regularly breaks promises so, even those in government who want to work with him, can’t trust him. //@simonwoods @dejus
@danielpunkass I wonder to if there’s a way to talk about the things Trump has done to really hurt people as well? Breaking up refugee families; the neglect of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria; mistreatment of detainees. I’m not a parent, but it feels important to communicate his physical harm to people.
And, perhaps tie it to American history as well (Japanese internment camps)? How old does a child have to be before talking to one about the darker aspects of our world? 😕 //@simonwoods @dejus
@Bruce The way you find out for sure is by having children. There is no one-size-fits-all for practically anything when it comes to caring for others, and I assume that is most true when it comes to raising children.
FWIW Daniel wasn't asking for answers to this but The Internet can't help itself. Sometimes the most important thing to say is "yeah that's difficult".
@simonwoods My second post was more about asking questions than giving Daniel advice. What feels difficult is that some children cannot be sheltered from the world’s evils. So what are parents’ and society’s responsibility to educate children who do have that privilege? And at what age?
Our government has separated toddlers from their parents. What are the ethics of shielding children twice that age from knowing that?
I don’t know the answers, but the questions do feel extremely difficult.
