I know that some of you may be scared right now, and that’s OK.
You’ve heard your parents talk about the hard choice in front of them and you may not even understand what choice they’re referring to. Maybe your parents are like me, and keep anything pertaining to the election out of their home, but you still have questions, because someone at school told you about a mean man that wants to take over everything.
Or perhaps you’ve heard about an old lady that has killed people that wear uniforms like your daddy’s. This is scary stuff for a kid your age, and you’re bound to have a lot of questions, and look to your parents or trusted adults to answer those questions.
Maybe you are brown like my kids, or tan like my kid’s friends, or have parents that are from countries other than America, and you are very afraid.
You think, “I want the lady to win.” Maybe because she smiles a lot, and sounds a little like your mom when she’s talking to Mr. Trump. Maybe because you’ve heard your parents or other family members say that they were “with her.”
Maybe it’s because you just don’t like some of the mean things you hear about the other person running for president. These reasons, are important to you, and I want you to know that we hear you loud and clear. Your parents will always try to do what’s best for you, no matter what.
I want you to understand that when some people talk about leaving America, or immigrants having to “go back home.” They too are afraid. Even if their fear doesn’t make sense to you, because you know people come to America to try to make a better life; their fear makes sense to them.
Sometimes it’s hard to understand how others may be feeling, when you so strongly feel the opposite, and that’s OK, because you’ll get better at that as you get older. People may not always be nice leading up to big election days, but they are always people, and sometimes grown-ups can be just as afraid as children. Silly, I know, but we are all somebody’s baby, and some of us still call our moms and dads when we are afraid.
My purpose in writing you this letter is for you to know that no matter who wins, no matter who your parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and grandparents vote for, they are all trying to vote in the best interest of your future. No matter what, your parents, and family love you.
As a parent, I can tell you that your family will fight for you fiercely, no matter who we call president. So, you know how if you are having a bad dream, and jump in the bed with Mom or Dad, Grandma or Grandpa? When this Election Day is over, and the cards fall, mom and dad will still be there.
That big comfy bed will always be open for you to crawl into when you’re afraid. Madame President, or Mister President, won’t stop the way your parents love you or how hard they fight for you to have the things you need.
Karlie is the person behind the blog Stop Yelling at Me...please! She enjoys writing about life, current events and of course, parenting. Karlie is a mother of three and the wife of one supportive husband that is not being held against his will, really. She is also a contributing writer on the Today Parenting Team. You can check out more of her work at stopyellingatmeplease.com