A month from now the election will unfold. And no matter the outcome 50% of the country will be terrified for our future.
The current political climate has created an abundance of anxiety on both sides of the aisle. Unfortunately this anxiety has found its way into the hearts and minds of our children. Every day in my therapy office I hear from elementary-age children that their biggest fear is currently the outcome of the election. They are terrified that their lives will be detrimentally impacted. They are fearful that WWIII is just around the corner. They are unable to sleep for fear that their lives will never be the same.
Though they do not really understand the specifics, they know that if the adults are feeling scared they may not be available to provide needed protection and comfort.
It is our responsibility as adults to protect the children from such terror. Despite one’s political leanings we need to appreciate that the children are listening carefully to our discussions, to the news, to the fear in our voices.
The coming month will surely be filled with higher levels of anxiety and trepidation. But we must assure the children that adults will protect them, the sun will still come out, the moon will still shine. We need to hug them, shelter them from the storm, and reassure them that everything is going to be OK.
Douglas Goldsmith, Salt Lake City
