Talking to Children about the New Prime Minister and Politics

Last week we learnt new of Boris Johnson becoming our new Prime Minister. Out of curiosity I turned to my seven year old twins and asked them if they knew who Boris Johnson was or what Brexit meant. 

Neither did, which isn’t surprising as my husband and I don’t really talk about politics with our children, but this made me wonder if it’s something we should be doing? After all, the decisions made by our government now are the ones that will ultimately affect them the most when they’re older. 

As we sat around our dining table eating tea one day, I explained to our twins what Brexit is, what the EU is and that we have a new Prime Minister called Boris Johnson along with his plans for the EU. I’ll be honest, our girls didn’t seem overly interested but perhaps if my husband and I brought this topic up with them more often they may start to show more of an interest. 

I wondered if we were alone in this so I decided to ask some blogging friends for their opinions on talking to children about politics. In particular if it’s something they discuss with their children and if so how do they do it in a way that children will understand. Here’s what they said:

“So my son has literally just asked whether we have a new prime minister. I feel it is important to be honest. We spoke about how some people like Boris Johnson and some don’t. We said that some people feel that he would be great for our country, however others feel he is rather childish. Our conversation then went onto the political parties and how our government is a Conservative one and what they stand for. It was lovely to have this conversation with him, however I tried to keep it simple and easy for him to understand.” Jaymee from The Mum Diaries

“I tell my five year old everything in a simplified way. She can recognise Theresa May and I’ve now told her we have a new PM. She knows all about Brexit and (like us) has decided she’s a remainer and she wants to be friends with Spain. She recently got exceeding knowledge of the world at school and I was so proud of her.” Maria from Happy Mummy

“I have a nine year old and a six year old (plus an eight month old) and we had a long chat in the car on the way to school this morning about Boris, Brexit and why some people want Brexit. They ask a lot of questions but are also well informed for their age – my daughter reads First News every week and both watch newsround and talk about current affairs at school. I think it’s important to help them understand all viewpoints even if they don’t agree with them. If we want kids to vote as soon as they can, we must engage them with politics and current affairs from as easy as possible.” Penny from Penny Blogs

“My nine year old is very politically aware. She watches newsround at school but also sky news at home. She is not happy that Boris is our PM as she is telling everyone that will listen. She says he isn’t trustworthy and is like Trump who will make silly laws. We talk about equality and fairness all the time and she says that’s not what he stands for. I encourage political chat and we often talk about the news.” Emma from Emma and 3

“ I don’t talk about politics very much at home but my 10 year old has very in-depth discussions at school about Brexit and politics! I was really shocked how much these ten year olds are aware of regarding the state of the country and have such opinionated views based on their peers. It was fascinating to hear my sons views – and he went on to write some politically charged stories at school which unfortunately the teachers were not impressed with, deeming them inappropriate!” Beth from Twinderelmo

“I watch the news with my four year old grandson. He asks lots of questions and I try to answer them honestly and in a way he can understand. His understanding is always so much more than I expect. This morning he asked if we now had two Prime Ministers so I explained how one was resigning and the other had been voted as the next leader of the Conservatives so he was then the Prime Minister, but they first had to go to see the Queen and ask her permission.” Sally from Teddy Bears and Cardigans

“We have open chats about politics and we are all engaged (8/11/13 year olds). They will sit and watch the news with me and have even watch Question Time (when I recorded it to watch another time) with me. They all get to watch and discuss the news at school (both primary and secondary schools) and will often ask me questions about both political things and general news items.” Ian from Dads Delicious Dinners

“My daughter is about to turn five so is a little young, but even if she were older I don’t think I would discuss politics with her in detail too much. There is so much negativity and tension amongst adults right now and I don’t think it’s fair to give children such a huge burden to worry about. Let them be kids I say. Plenty of time to be exasperated and confused by politics when they are older.” Kate from Every After with Kids

“I discuss it all with my seven year old. She knows we’ve got a new Prime Minister and that Brexit is the UK leaving the EU. She isn’t a fan of ‘Boris bad hair’ as she calls him!” Tina from MumFounded

“My son has always watched the news (usually while on YouTube, so I’m amazed how much he takes in). He knows that my other half and I don’t agree on Brexit, and what we think of political parties and MPs. They also talk about current affairs at shool so he talks a bit about Trump too. I think it’s important for him to be aware and make his own decisions, and will help him be more respectful of different people he comes across, even if he might not agree with their views. He chooses to listen and ask questions, compared to me at his age who knew nothing. He’ll be voting in 10 years so needs to know a bit about politics.” Emma from Bubbablue and Me

“My nine year old has grown up in a household with parents with totally opposite political views so he’s used to our debates. He’s come with me when I’ve voted ever since he was born and he’s got a wonderful understanding of the global political climate. He definitely shares my views on Boris, Brexit and Mr Trump.” Mary from Over 40 and a Mum to One

And finally…

A three month old who sums up my feelings perfectly!

“I had the news on, and as they announced that Boris was officially PM, my three month old started crying hysterically! That’s how a lot of us feel, sweety!” Sophie from Life as Mrs D

Do you talk to your children about politics? Do they know who Boris Johnson is? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.