How do you talk to kids about politics?

The choices we make on Election Day are at least as much for the next generation’s benefit as for ours. Do you talk to that next generation much about who you’re voting for and why? How do you talk to kids about politics? 

The “future” that politicians like to talk about on the stump is the time yet to come when today’s kids will be all grown up and taking over the reins from us old folks to make the big decisions. The choices we make on Election Day are for their benefit as much as our own. 

That doesn’t mean kids give a hoot about what happens when you step into the voting booth.

Do you talk to your kids about politics and voting? What do you say?

Tell us in the comments below.

Campaign coverage can sure get some adults pretty riled up. Does that agita pass down to the little ones?

If the campaign season is so overwhelming that poor little Abigael Evans is brought to tears by NPR, maybe it’s time to have a sit-down with the kids in your life to explain why you’re listening and watching and reading. 

(That poor kid! I guess last year’s baby books and photo albums are this year’s YouTube channels.)

Do you break down the presidential election into “good guy” and “bad guy”? Do you relate your vote to something that directly affects kids — like, oh… how Mitt Romney wants to fire Big Bird, or how much money Mommy has left for birthday presents since big-ears lost her her job?

Do you take your kids to your polling place with you to see neighbors and friends performing their sacred and civic duty? Or do you think it’s too much for them — that it’s better to leave them blissfully unaware?