Navigating Election Season as Homeschoolers

Navigating Election Season as Homeschoolers: Finding Peace in the Chaos ~ 
Written by Amber O’Neal Johnston from Heritage Mom

As a homeschooling mom, election season can be uncomfortable and tension-filled.

It’s hard enough to deal with adults bickering over politics, often letting their strongly held beliefs overshadow grace, respect, or even basic civility. But what really wears on me is how my kids, who are still figuring out their values and learning how to engage with the world, are being affected.

They come home from playgrounds or social gatherings repeating opinions they’ve heard—sometimes parroting the harsh, divisive words their friends hear at home. And suddenly, a place that should be an oasis of learning and growth turns into a battleground of opposing political views.

I find myself wishing it would just stop.

In her book Mother to Son, Jasmine L. Holmes writes about guiding her son to be “the one who speaks calm into chaos. The one who pursues peace. The one who asks clarifying questions and seeks understanding. The one who will not rest until you can state your opponent’s argument in terms so compassionate that you finally understand where they’re coming from.”

I want that for my kids. Heck, I want that for myself!

What if instead of adding to the noise and tension, we could be the voices of reason, the ones who value peace over winning, and understanding over conflict?

I think back to my own childhood and the lessons my family unknowingly taught me about political discourse. Growing up, both of my grandfathers lived on the same street. One was a die-hard Democrat, and the other was an equally passionate Republican.

But they got along—truly, deeply. Their disagreements were never ugly. They took friendly jabs at each other, sure, but it was always with a smile, a handshake, and an underlying sense of respect.

As a child, I never felt that one of them was somehow more “right” or more lovable than the other.

I never felt that one of them was a fool for voting the way he did, or that he couldn’t walk with God because of his political leanings. That kind of respect feels rare today and I wonder sometimes if those days are gone forever.

I’m someone who loves to build bridges. I relish casting a wide social net, connecting with people of all backgrounds and beliefs, learning from their perspectives. But during election season, I find myself retreating.

I nest at home more, gathering my little birds around me to protect them from the vitriol, the anger, and the hatred that spews so freely.

And although I love the warmth, the support, and the sense of shared values and goals within the homeschooling community, during election season, that warmth can feel like a fairy tale.

I’m reminded that we, too, are smack in the middle of every battle happening in this world, including politics. Our children are right there with us, witnessing it all.

United we stand, divided we fall.

So what can we do? How can we make a difference and model better behavior for our children?

I’ve been asking myself these questions lately, and while I don’t have all the answers, I’ve been reflecting on a few practical steps we can take as families:

5 Tips for Navigating Election Season as Homeschoolers

1. Model Calm and Compassion

As parents, we are constantly modeling behavior for our children, whether we realize it or not. When we engage in political discussions, let’s do so calmly. Let’s show our kids that we can disagree with others without losing our temper or demeaning the person we disagree with.

Teach them to ask thoughtful questions rather than resorting to quick judgments. When someone expresses a political view that’s different from ours, we can practice listening first—really listening—before responding.

2. Foster Critical Thinking

Encourage your kids to think for themselves rather than simply absorbing the opinions of others. Instead of reacting to what they hear on the playground or in social settings, challenge them to ask questions and do their own research.

Guide them in understanding that it’s okay to disagree with their friends or family members, but it’s essential to be kind and considerate in those disagreements.

I recommend Julie Bogart’s book, Raising Critical Thinkers, for help in this area.

3. Emphasize Common Ground

During election season, it’s easy to focus on what divides us. But let’s help our kids find common ground with others, even in the midst of political differences.

Remind them that everyone wants what’s best for their community, their country, and their families, even if they have different ideas about how to achieve that.

Finding shared values can reduce the intensity of disagreements and pave the way for more constructive conversations.

4. Protect Their Innocence

While it’s important for kids to learn about the world, it’s also okay to shield them from the full intensity of political debates, especially when those debates become hostile.

Keep an eye on their interactions and help guide them through situations where they might feel overwhelmed or confused. Home should be a refuge, a place where your children feel safe to ask questions and express their own thoughts without fear of judgment.

5. Encourage Grace and Humility

Teach your children that being “right” isn’t the most important thing. What matters more is how they treat people in the process of discussing ideas. Encourage them to have the humility to admit when they don’t know something and the grace to respectfully disagree when they do.

Navigating election season as homeschoolers doesn’t have to mean division and discomfort. With intention, we can use this time as an opportunity to teach our children valuable lessons about kindness, respect, and the importance of peaceful dialogue.

After all, the way we conduct ourselves during challenging times is often what sticks with them the most.

Ultimately, the legacy we leave our children won’t be in the sides we took, but in how we taught them to hold onto their values while honoring the humanity in everyone they meet.

* Find more of Amber’s writing on Simple Homeschool here!

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