Election Season Family Survival Guide

This upcoming Tuesday is the debate, you can watch it with your family and friends with different views and maintain peace.

Elections can be a time of excitement, passion, and sometimes, disagreement. In a world where political views are increasingly polarized, it’s not uncommon for families to find themselves on opposite sides of the political spectrum. While healthy debate is essential for a thriving democracy, it’s also important to maintain family harmony.

Here are some tips for keeping the peace at home during election season:

1. Respectful Dialogue:

• Set ground rules. Before you start talking, agree on some ground rules, such as no name-calling, no interrupting, and a willingness to listen to each other’s perspectives.
• Listen:  Truly listen to your family members’ viewpoints, even if you disagree. Try to understand their perspective and where they’re coming from.
• Avoid Personal Attacks:  Focus on the issues, not the person.  Refrain from name-calling or belittling their opinions.
• Find Common Ground:  While you may have different political views, there are likely shared values you can focus on, such as family, community, or the desire for a better future.
• Use “I” Statements: When expressing your views, use “I” statements to focus on your own perspective rather than attacking the other person’s. For example, say “I believe…” instead of “You’re wrong…”
• Suggest taking turns.  Propose a structure for the conversation where each person gets uninterrupted time to speak.

2. Set Boundaries:

• Agree to Disagree:  It’s okay to have different opinions. Acknowledge that you may not change each other’s minds, and that’s okay.
• Limit Political Discussions:  If conversations become heated, it’s okay to take a break or agree to discuss other topics.
• Respect Each Other’s Choices:  Everyone has the right to their own political beliefs and voting decisions.
• Redirect the conversation. If the interruption is persistent or disrespectful, you can try to redirect the conversation to a less contentious topic or suggest taking a break.

3. Focus on Family:

• Stay calm and composed. Getting angry or raising your voice will only escalate the situation. Take a deep breath and try to remain calm.
• Shared Activities:  Engage in activities that bring the family together, such as game nights, movie nights, or outdoor activities.
• Create Positive Memories:  Focus on building happy memories together, regardless of political differences.
• Remember Your Love:  Ultimately, family bonds are stronger than political disagreements. Remind yourselves of the love and connection you share.
• Find Humor: A little humor can go a long way in diffusing tension.  Share a funny political meme or joke to lighten the mood.

4. Seek Common Ground:

• Focus on Shared Goals:  Discuss issues that affect your family directly, such as education, healthcare, or local community concerns.
• Work Together:  Find ways to collaborate on community projects or volunteer for causes you both care about.
• Choose Your Battles: Not every political discussion is worth having. If you know a particular topic is likely to lead to a heated argument, it might be best to steer clear of it.
• Focus on the Positive: Instead of dwelling on disagreements, try to find common ground and focus on positive aspects of your family relationships.
• Educate Yourself: Take the time to research and understand the issues and candidates. This can help you articulate your views more clearly and avoid misunderstandings.

5. Take Care of Yourself:

• Manage Stress:  Elections can be stressful. Practice self-care through exercise, meditation, or spending time in nature.
• Limit Media Consumption:  Constant exposure to news and social media can exacerbate political tensions. Take breaks and unplug when needed.
• Take a Break: If a conversation becomes too heated, it’s okay to take a break and come back to it later when everyone has calmed down.
• Know when to end the conversation. If the conversation is getting too heated, it’s okay to take a break and come back to it later.