Most of them are too young to vote, but still, today’s kids can and should learn a lot from the upcoming presidential election, beyond, say, how the U.S. government works and what Democrats and Republicans each stand for. There are life lessons to be had here, folks, especially as it relates to the concept of sportsmanship, humility, and being a sore loser (and, relatedly, a non-braggart winner).

As my family and I drove through a town twenty minutes outside of our own one October weekend, we noticed among the changing leaves a variety of lawn signs staunchly supporting both presidential candidates. My 6-year-old, a highly sensitive child, inquired and seemed concerned about how the person who doesn’t win will feel. “Will they be upset? Or will they just say, ‘okay, I guess I won’t be the next president?” I didn’t have the heart to tell him about the guy who shall remain nameless who refused to admit defeat in 2020, but it got me thinking about winning vs. losing. Truth is, either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump (and those independent and third-party candidates, of course) will wake up on Nov. 6 as, well, a loser, to put it mildly.

So, I’m seeing these next few couple weeks (days?!) before we cast our ballots as a learning opportunity to teach him about losing, along with these three valuable life lessons in connection with the election. Will you do the same?

It’s important to be a good sport. My son understands the concept of sportsmanship since he plays rec soccer and has played kickball previously, and after every game, they shake the hands of the opposing team’s players. Still, my guy does have issues with losing at individual games (board games, card games, and video games can be triggering for him), but I try to teach him that it’s not about winning, it’s about having fun. Still, if you do win, be humble about it, and if you don’t, it’s ok to be upset, but important to still congratulate your opponent on a job well done. (Let’s hope Harris and Trump can set this example for our youths).

It’s okay to have different opinions or beliefs as someone else. That’s the beauty of democracy, sure, but this sentiment doesn't need to be so large-scale. Let’s help the kiddos understand that it’s okay to disagree with our friends on everyday topics too, whether that’s if chocolate or vanilla is a more delicious ice cream flavor. We just need to respect others’ opinions in the process. To bring it back to ice cream terminology, “don’t yuck someone’s yum.”

It’s key to always play fair. In the United States, we have both the electoral college and the popular vote that help fairly determine which candidate wins the presidency. There’s no cheating, no workarounds, and no cutting corners when it comes to earning the most important job in the country.  Sharing toys with friends and following rules set forth by administrators, parents, or team coaches are simple examples of fair play IRL. 

I’m sure there are more teaching opportunities we as parents can glean from this neck and neck, polarizing presidential race, but for now, I’ll leave it at these. Truthfully, I never really answered my son when he asked how the person who doesn’t get elected will feel. But all I can say is that both candidates will have put up a really good fight, and it’s natural for the one who doesn’t get elected to be disappointed. But hey, kid. Such is life.

What thought-provoking questions have your kids asked about the election thus far?

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