How to get teen son to stop disrespecting the President?

[Anonymous]

Okay, this may belong in the politics forum (feel free to move it) but because it has to do with advice regarding my 16 YO DS.

So, ever since the 2016 election my lovely, intelligent 16 year old DS has been very, very disrespectful towards our President. He is often making mean spirited and disrespectful towards the Trump family, calling Trump a Traitor, saying he is not the President, calling him (and his family) racist/fascist.

I've tried talking to him about respect. About how, while we may not have voted for Trump, he won the election and we should respect him and the office he holds. And that while we may not agree with all of Trump's actions we will likely find some of his policies are good.

And still DS continues to say disparaging things. He refused to accept Trump's election and treats Trump badly. I am worried that he seems to think some sort of violent uprising is actually warrented and I want to help him be a more stable, concious voter, so I am looking for advice to help mold him towards that.

[Anonymous]

I would start by asking him to stop following him on Twitter.

I asked my sons to stop following him because it was impossible to feel safe and to respect the presidency when you see his Twitter feed.

[Anonymous]

Your son is right.

How can he treat Trump badly if he's never in the same room as Trump?

[Anonymous]

Not even good trolling...

[Anonymous]

How is this trolling?

It's disrespectful and very bad manners to be saying things like, 'why would anyone vote for an idiot like Trump' at Thanksgiving dinner in front of my sister and BIL who supported Trump in the election (and he knows it).

Trump is the President, I may not agree with him but he was democratically elected so it isn't any better to be disrespecting Trump then the people calling Obama a Kenyan Muslim.

DS needs to understand that for some people, Donald Trump is representing their interests, and in fact, that is a majority of our population.

[Anonymous]

Being rude to family members (even idiots) at dinner is one thing.

Saying true things about the criminal a$$hole currently occupying the Oval Office is another, and is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is this trolling?

It's disrespectful and very bad manners to be saying things like, 'why would anyone vote for an idiot like Trump' at Thanksgiving dinner in front of my sister and BIL who supported Trump in the election (and he knows it).

Trump is the President, I may not agree with him but he was democratically elected so it isn't any better to be disrespecting Trump then the people calling Obama a Kenyan Muslim.

DS needs to understand that for some people, Donald Trump is representing their interests, and in fact, that is a majority of our population.

Not even close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is this trolling?

It's disrespectful and very bad manners to be saying things like, 'why would anyone vote for an idiot like Trump' at Thanksgiving dinner in front of my sister and BIL who supported Trump in the election (and he knows it).

Trump is the President, I may not agree with him but he was democratically elected so it isn't any better to be disrespecting Trump then the people calling Obama a Kenyan Muslim.

DS needs to understand that for some people, Donald Trump is representing their interests, and in fact, that is a majority of our population.

For starters, it's not a majority of the population. He lost the popular vote by a very large margin.

As for your problem, if you want your son to stop expressing political views in general, communicate that. Say, "In this family, we have many different beliefs, but one thing we all agree on is respecting family spaces. In order to respect the family space during holidays, we do not discuss politics or denigrate our family because of their political beliefs."

That said, if you apply this rule, it applies to the Trump supporters too, or else it sounds like you just don't agree with your son.

[Anonymous]

Next time elect a president worthy of respect.

[Anonymous]

Help him get involved in local politics. Too many people sit around trashing Trump but won't lift a finger to actually get anything done in their own communities. I'm sure there are many issue based orgs in your area, he could volunteer for a local progressive candidate, the possibilities are endless-and he can gain some skills and get some hands-on lessons about how government works.

[Anonymous]

Good for your son. Who cares if snowflake Trumpers are offended?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is this trolling?

It's disrespectful and very bad manners to be saying things like, 'why would anyone vote for an idiot like Trump' at Thanksgiving dinner in front of my sister and BIL who supported Trump in the election (and he knows it).

Trump is the President, I may not agree with him but he was democratically elected so it isn't any better to be disrespecting Trump then the people calling Obama a Kenyan Muslim.

DS needs to understand that for some people, Donald Trump is representing their interests, and in fact, that is a majority of our population.

Obama is not a Muslim. Trump is actually an idiot. There’s a huge difference between making up facts to insult someone versus pointing out a truth that is offensive to your oversensitive and undereducated family members.

[Anonymous]

Why are you talking about politics at a social event? Does your whole family lack manner and good upbringing.

I would start by not discussing politics in social settings.

The problem is not Trump, it's that your family lacks manners, all of you, not just your teen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is this trolling?

It's disrespectful and very bad manners to be saying things like, 'why would anyone vote for an idiot like Trump' at Thanksgiving dinner in front of my sister and BIL who supported Trump in the election (and he knows it).

Trump is the President, I may not agree with him but he was democratically elected so it isn't any better to be disrespecting Trump then the people calling Obama a Kenyan Muslim.

DS needs to understand that for some people, Donald Trump is representing their interests, and in fact, that is a majority of our population.

I think if your BIL and sister are old enough to vote for Trump than they should be mature enough not to get their feelings hurt and also defend why they voted for the idiot.

My advice is leave your son alone as he is the only intelligent member!

[Anonymous]

It has nothing to do with the president. Teach your son to recognize and understand the audience. While he is only comes off as an impolite teenager at your dinner table, he has to understand what he is risking by throwing insults when talking to different people. It's never a good way to make a point either. People will disregard your opinion if you start with a n insult. If he just needs to vent, give him room for doing so with you (without guests). I didn't buy your arguments, talk to him why he thinks people vote for the president, any of them.