How are you explaining this to your kids - the ones old enough to see something isn't right on the news

[bellinisurge]

I've tried to shield my dd 11 from the worst of it. We live in a Leave area even though we voted Remain. I've told her that it's important to respect other people's views - contrary to what I think and say on here.
I explained last night that we have an international obligation called GFA and it's hard to make that work with Brexit. All this fuss is about trying to make it work.
That's what I've said.
I've also said we have a stash of food like we always do for the winter - I'm a prepper, that's how I spin that for her.

I tell them it's a load of nonsense and hopefully they'll abandon the whole thing and just get back to normal.

Do they not discuss it at school? DS1 13 comes back from school, every day wanting to discuss what is happening. DS2 is 11 and is less engaged but understands the issues and the potential problems if we crash out.

We discuss it fairly openly at meal times etc (obviously try not to worry the DC too much but they understand there could be supply chain issues)

Facts and expert opinions, with a sprinkling of if this happens, then this is the likely outcome. I don't sugar coat it particularly, because there is a potential for direct impacts on people they love. Mine are a little older though and are still finding it difficult to understand why people want to do this. On the plus side, it has opened their eyes to the fact that politicians are just people - some of which are not particularly bright

My dd was 10 when we had the vote. We live in France and when she went into school the next day her friends were asking her if it meant she had to leave .

She is 12 now and we have been pretty honest with her about what a shit show it all is. I did try offering up a fairer view point at the start but she kept asking me why? Why did people vote leave? What do they want? What will be better after?

I can't really answer those questions for her and judging by the clouds of tumbleweed on here when these questions are posed I don't think anyone can answer.

She doesn't understand completely, it's extremely complicated, I am not sure I do! But we talk about it, we answer her questions as best we can and we explain that our perspectives are obviously biased.

I think in some ways it's a good thing. She is politically aware, knows the main players and is formulating her own opinions. I am pleasantly surprised by how well engaged she is now (not just brexit, although that was the catalyst it also served to pique her interest in wider world affairs).

I would say just go with honesty, give her the facts and answer her questions.

Hi Dhilli
Have you had to go through the GJ protests as well with your dd?

The whole Brexit thing is like 17 million UK adults voted for Father Christmas or the tooth fairy, with the degree of ignorance about the way the world works and the fact that the UK is just a small island.

Sorry, that should have said Chilli

I'm not sure why you need to shield her. Just explain it in an age appropriate way.

Why would you shield her from it? I think kids find things like this quite interesting. I know mine (11 and 8) are paying attention and asking questions. It’s getting quite complicated now, though!

I was a very anxious child and found being informed about things helped me become less worried - I take the same approach with my kids.

I have explained in an age appropriate way. No apologies for shielding her from the worst of it.

1tisILeClerc, the protests are not so bad where we are so we have mostly been able to avoid them and those that we have passed were pretty peaceful.

We have been watching on the news though. Kids aren't overly bothered, protest is very much part of French life, in the last 12 month's we have had train strikes, teacher strikes and now the GJ. We are all working on perfecting our gallic shrug.

We live in a Leave area. I have to assume that most of the children that go to school with dd have parents who voted Leave. We didn't.
I answer every single question my dd asks. I am mindful of putting her in a difficult situation at school by refusing to acknowledge the views of Leavers.
She knows I voted Remain, dh voted Remain, all her grandparents voted Remain (one has since died), all her aunties/uncles voted Remain apart from at least one. All but one of her adult cousins voted Remain. All the extended family we have dealings with voted Remain.
We are in a massive minority in our area. It would be foolish of me to send her out in the world around us thinking and saying that all Leave voters are naive and ignorant even though I think this.