My children stayed up through most of the election but did not make it to the final-results. When I woke my oldest daughter up her first question was, “Who won?”

“Trump.”

“I don’t want to get out of bed, the world just ended.” She had buried her head in her pillow and I could barely hear her.

“The good news is we don’t have the first female president yet, so you still stand a chance. Get your butt out of bed and go get educated.”

“How old do I have to be to run?”

Giving her a reassuring pat, “Sounds like a question for your teacher.”

“What if I don’t win?”

“Then your little sister stands a chance.”

“No mom! She’ll over tax everyone!”

We had a long conversation that followed over our sphere of influence. There was even a white board involved as we talked about how our kindness to others today who feel voiceless, unwanted, and discouraged by this election can speak volumes into their lives. We may not have control over whether or not our candidate won but we each have a sphere of influence, even a ten year old. When we make a difference in the lives around us it changes hearts and they begin to make positive changes in their own sphere of influence. Kindness still wins.

My phone has been chirping at me all morning with fear and discouragement. I live in a blue bubbled community in a red state that happens to be a border town.

Do I think the world just ended? No.

Am I thrilled with the results? No, but the entire year has been ugly. We all knew we’d wake up to anger and fear this morning regardless of who won.

The conversation we need to have today is one that is about loving one another in our differences, not shutting down communication, but finding a way to influence our sphere with dignity and respect for one another. The election does not negate human dignity.

If you are looking for a way to speak to your children about this election I found this article helpful, What Do We Tell The Children? In the end, as parents, our words have power. Our children learn from us that their gender and race don’t have to limit them. If we foster a love for equality in our children then the sphere of influence grows. We speak truth and value into their lives and they are empowered to live into the truth we’ve given them.

And if you’re curious how much power the President Elect actually has, just remember he/she isn’t King. Our government was built with checks and balances.

It wasn’t that long ago women couldn’t vote. I’m raising daughters who will honor those who fought for their rights by voting, honoring the voting process, and losing graciously. We don’t fight a culture of bullies by becoming bullies. We fight them through kindness, by holding our head up high, by standing with the oppressed, and by loving even those whose values differ from our own. To live in a free society means to live next door and in community with those we do not always agree with.