Experts Give Five Tips for Black Parents Struggling to Help Kids Cope With Fear of Trump Win

If you have feelings of anger and fear right now, your kids probably do too.

08 Nov 2024, 17:18 by Angela Johnson · The Root

Photo: FG Trade (Getty Images)

News of former President Donald Trump’s election victory is hitting the Black community hard. The reactions have been a combination of sadness, anger and fear for the future. But it’s hard to think about the future without thinking about our children – who might be living in a world in which they have fewer rights than their parents and grandparents.

Put a Pause on Social Media

Parents with teens and tweens should consider having them take a break from their social media accounts.

Advise Them Not to Engage

You may think your kids only care about video games and TikTok, but believe it or not, playgrounds and cafeterias around the country will be buzzing with political chatter that could rival any barber shop.

A North Carolina-based mother told us that she instructed her teens to avoid any conversations about the election or politics at school.

“We’ve told our kids not to get into any discussions about the election with their classmates, even if they think they are allies,” she said.

Instead, encourage them to alert a teacher or administrator if they encounter other children who might be instigating negative conversation or behavior.

But Don’t Stop Talking At Home

While you don’t want to force kids to relieve the nightmare of election night, you do want them to know that you are available to answer any questions they may have about the days and months ahead.

Hoyt Phillips, interim co-director of Teaching Tolerance, suggests being honest with your children about how your vote connects back to the values you share at home.

“The overall goal is to normalize these types of conversations and to get kids critically thinking, so that they see themselves as having an active role in our diverse democracy,” he said.

And if you don’t have the answers, don’t be afraid to be honest with them and suggest doing age-appropriate research together (from a trusted source, of course).

Stress the Importance of Education and Civic Engagement

There’s no doubt that misinformation was running rampant throughout this election cycle. Do your best to find age-appropriate educational sources for your children that explain how our system of government works. Also, continue to be a positive model of civic engagement. Continue to stress the importance of community activism and voting, even if the results don’t go your way.

Psychologist and host of the mental health podcast “Couched in Color with Dr. Alfiee,” Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble shared her advice on staying engaged with The Root.

“If your candidate did not win, then have a plan at the ready to get to work making whatever contribution you can to help yourself, your loved ones and the communities you care about with your specific gifts and talents,” she said. “If you can focus on what you can do for yourself no matter the outcome, you grab and retain your sense of self-worth and empower yourself to keep going no matter what.”

One Georgia mom of 14-year-old twins told The Root, she plans to keep stressing the importance of voting in her home and encourage her children to use their vote to become a part of the solution in the next election.

“We always vote as a family,” she says. “My hope is that next time around, when they are eligible to vote, they’ll understand how important it is to be engaged in the process.”

Remind Them That They’re Loved

If you’re worried about how Trump’s victory will impact your lives, know that your kids may have some of those same fears. Now, more than ever, it’s important to let them know that no matter what comes out of Donald Trump’s administration (or his mouth) that you will continue to love and protect them.

“I just gave [my kids] lots of hugs before they left home and told them everything was going to be ok,” one New Jersey-based mother of two told us. “I don’t know if it helped them, but it definitely helped me.”