Are any of your kids expressing a lot of fear and anxiety over the state of our country? S26 has always been pretty into politics, but since tRump came back around in January, he has been borderline obsessed with talking about how terrible things are. He believes our democracy is dead and that there will not be another election for him to vote in when he is 18 because we are now under an authoritarian regime. While I agree that things are terrible I also feel compelled to try to slip a bit of optimism and hope into his thinking. He usually tells me I am deluding myself. Mostly, I try to steer him away from politics, and he does have other interests and activities to keep him occupied, but the latest news about the government shut down has spun him up again. If your children are similarly inclined, how have you helped them cope and try to keep some perspective?
PS, sorry if this is too political.