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RandySF

(58,907 posts)
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:01 PM Oct 2016

How do I talk to a 10-year old about what's going on?

I've been trying to keep the news off when he's around but it's everywhere and he is hearing enough to ask questions. I'm embarrassed but have to admit that I have no idea what to say.

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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uppityperson

(115,677 posts)
1. Keep it simple. Someone running for president said some really bad things about
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:06 PM
Oct 2016

women, etc. The fact that he is a bully and a jerk has become obvious to most people.

 

TXCritter

(344 posts)
2. Tell him it's not ok to grab other people's crotch?
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:06 PM
Oct 2016

Female or male walking around grabbing people between their legs is not OK,

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
3. Ten year old boys know all those words.
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:07 PM
Oct 2016

Truly. The best approach is probably just to discuss it with him in terms he will understand from his interactions with kids his own age. Things like bullying and crotch grabbing go on in elementary schools, just as they do in adult society.

He's 10. He knows more than you think, I'm sure. You can answer his questions plainly and simply and share your opinions with him frankly. I don't think there were any words associated with sex that I did not know at that age. Adults just thought we didn't know or use those words.

I remember being 10 years old. I was always frustrated by adults who seemed to think I was still 5.

Use the word "crotch" instead of "pussy." If he doesn't know what "pussy" means, just tell him that it's a crude word for women's private parts. But, he knows the word, I'm certain. Tell him that Trump is a bully and a bad person who behaves terribly with women and other people, too. He'll understand what you're telling him, I'm sure.

boston bean

(36,221 posts)
4. Tell him that a male politician running for president hates women and the press is reporting on it.
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:07 PM
Oct 2016

That it is a good thing because it is wrong to hate women and treat them like badly.

Cicada

(4,533 posts)
6. Why not just be honest? The unvarnished truth won't hurt him or freak him out.
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:11 PM
Oct 2016

Of course, I have never raised a child. But I like to just treat children with respect, telling them the truth to the same degree I would with an adult.

JohnnyLib2

(11,212 posts)
7. Old counselor here: don't leave him open to lack of knowledge and embarrassment.
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:12 PM
Oct 2016

Use the word, explain it, explain why the word and actions are so wrong.

He may not be fully in the know, but kids around him will be. Courage, dad!
 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
8. Explain you're not judging and there's a lot of crazy talk....Let him lead the conversation by
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:18 PM
Oct 2016

Asking him what he's seen and heard. You can sort out with him what's bulshit and what might be true. you can explain misogyny against women as it connects to fear of LGBTs and POC and how that was normal just 60 years ago and how far we have all come.

The Wielding Truth

(11,415 posts)
9. You will have to warn him that there are people out there who do things that are wrong and he
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:20 PM
Oct 2016

must not follow their example or trust them even if others seem to. His strength of character and your guidance should lead him, not others admiration for a person who is willing to take advantage for their own satisfaction, like Donald Trump .

It is important to show respect to everyone, especially girls and women for they are just like you and they need to be cherished. Just like I cherish and take care that you come to no harm.

obamanut2012

(26,080 posts)
10. Tell him -- it will teach him to be a good man
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:21 PM
Oct 2016

Kids know the words anyway. But, it's not the words, it's the sexual assault.

 

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)
11. I'll never forget my dad's best piece of advice
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:21 PM
Oct 2016

My dad was an exceptionally wise man.

On issues like this, he'd stop what he was doing, look me straight in the eye, and say:

"Go ask your mother."
 

Cakes488

(874 posts)
12. Answer his questions to the best of your ability and that's it...just answer the question
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:23 PM
Oct 2016

You don't have to go on and on expounding.

What did he ask?

 

Coyotl

(15,262 posts)
13. Ask him what he knows about it and about bad behavior towards women.
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:25 PM
Oct 2016

First, you need to know his context.

Then tell him Trump is going to become a verb meaning grab pussy. Then ask him how he wants to be remembered.

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