Speaking openly around your kids

[bucky]

My wife and I were talking about the way things are going in the world the other night and I found myself having to explain the terms "goodwhite" and "badwhite" to her. She's not a native English speaker and unfamiliar with dissident right online jargon, so it took a minute or two. When I finished, my daughter, who is a toddler, looked up at me and said in her toddler voice "Daddy, I am...a badwhite?"

I hadn't expected her to understand any of what I was saying, and it made me think how eventually she'll be big enough to fully understand when I talk about politics, feminism, race relations, LGBT issues, religion, and other crucial topics, all topics that that would lead to my cancellation if my true opinion were openly expressed in public.

I censor myself at work and when I'm out in the world and even around my extended family because I have to, but I can't see myself doing it in my own home. We're going to homeschool, so I won't have to worry about my kids repeating any of my crimethoughts at school but still, they could repeat an unauthorized opinion of mine somewhere to someone and that could very easily lead to my cancellation or worse.

Writing about it now I think of this passage from the gospel of Luke, chapter 21:

9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

So I think that's my plan, to trust in the Lord, speak truth at least to my wife and children and hope for the best.

How do those of you who have older kids handle this? Opinions from those who don't yet have children are welcome, but I'm especially interested in hearing from those who do.

 

[Laner]

We have our meals together as a family with no distractions other than some classic background music. Our conversations are not censored in any way but they are all conversations that should be welcome at any dinner table. We discourage fart jokes and 'toilet' talk of course, hard as it might be. But conversations are meant to flow, and its extra important for the school aged kids in order to get them to the point of letting their thoughts come out. This is mostly for my benefit, as my wife is the one who does school pick up and gets the fresh thoughts of the school day at that point.

I work with only men and we are all pretty much on the same page as to the state of the world. Race comes up at some points, but we are a pretty diverse crew so the race things mostly stick to the workplace in the form of ball busting. But my son does come by work once a week and seems to pick up a bit of shop talk, of which some is accepted and others not.

Our extended family is pretty aligned with us so that is good.

So back to what to censor in front of the kids. Not really anything. My son hears our conversations and does remember. He will sometimes ask a question about a dinner conversation a few days later. I try and answer as best as I can so he understands, without pontificating too much. When it comes to things like guns, he knows to keep that private. We have had the 'Big Talk' with him about some things being a family secret and to never talk about it with anyone outside our immediate home. When there is something that we do not want repeated, we just tell him that this is a private family matter, and he understands.

So far its been working out but as kids get older they fall more into the views of their teachers and friends, so it only means more work for us parents.

 

[EuropeanCanon]

I often think about this. I have 3 young boys 10, 8 and 3. I think basically that my wife and I have decided to protect them from what is going on, I guess we feel let them enjoy their boyhood until its impossible to not talk about it. But if they get to the age around 14, 15 then it will be time to start talking about reality to them. We try and keep them engaged with our catholic faith, we have family prayers and church attendence as well and they go to catholic school. But the sticking point for me is the internet. It is very hard to control and monitor their access to it. I still don't know if all of this is the best thing to do, i am torn.