How Celebrities Teach Their Kids About Politics

Elisabeth Hasselbeck

When in doubt, write a poem. When asked how she would explain the death of Osama Bin Laden to her children, this host from The View and mother of three jokingly read a children's poem she had written for the occasion.

Read Elisabeth’s poem on Bin Laden»

Angelina Jolie

When Angelina wants her kids to understand the plight of refugees around the world, she puts her money where her mouth is. During a 2006 trip to New Delhi, Jolie brought along Maddox, her oldest of six, to spend the afternoon playing with Sikh children who had been forced out of their homes
by the Taliban.

Angelina upset by Chaz Bono’s comments about daughter Shiloh»

Alice Walker

The author of The Color Purple and one of the foremothers of civil rights and the feminist movement openly talked to her daughter about feminism; however, in a candid article published in the Daily Mail, Walker’s daughter wrote that, "As a little girl, I wasn't even allowed to play with dolls. It was drummed into me that raising children and running a home were a form of slavery." Rebecca Walker is now a mother herself and author of the book, Baby Love.

Rebecca Walker says parents love biological kids best»

Sarah Palin

When your daughter is the center of media controversy, it's kind of hard not to talk to her about the politics of unwed parents. Last year, Palin and her daughter, Bristol, appeared on Oprah to discuss Bristol's unplanned pregnancy and the abstinence pledge she's taken until marriage.

Sarah Palin purchases mega mansion for family»

Michelle Obama

The First Lady's mantra when it comes to politics is to turn tragedy into a lesson. When U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot in Tucson this past January, Obama issued an open letter to parents advising them to use the event to teach their children about tolerance, sacrifice and faith.

The Obamas decide on no more children»

Molly Ringwald

When The Breakfast Club star and mother of three tried to explain Bin Laden's death to her seven-year-old, she turned to a familiar face. "Harry Potter became very useful,” Ringwald told Access Hollywood. “I said [Bin Laden] was kind of like Voldemort, in a way.”

Molly’s secret to getting back in shape after having twins»

Madonna

Now that her daughter, Lourdes, is old enough, the pop queen and her daughter are sharing humanitarian trips around the world. In April of 2010, this celeb mom discussed the plight of women around the world with her daughter on a joint trip to Malawi where they laid the first brick of Madonna's school for girls.

Madonna’s kids have to make an appointment to see her»

Cynthia Nixon

When a fan who suspected that her own child was gay asked Cynthia about what she can do to help him, Nixon said, "You've just got to do everything you can to make your son know that you love him and that you love him exactly the way he is and you wouldn't want him to change in any way."

Cynthia Nixon on her kids having two mommies»

Eva La Rue

To teach her child about how the other half lives and the plight of underserved women, this CSI: Miami star takes her daughter to volunteer at a battered women's shelter once a month. Eva told Babble, "I want her to learn that we need to take care of other people who are not able to take
care of themselves.”

Read Eva’s full interview with Babble»

Sara Cox

Sara Cox, the English TV host and BBC Radio presenter, says she teaches her 7-year-old daughter about the world and how she can help, starting at home with small acts like sponsored walks for charity. Sara said, "Though as parents we don’t have all the answers about why these terrible things happen, we can at least teach them it’s important to try to help."

Get the latest on Sara»

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