Do you struggle when it comes to explaining politics to your children? These 3 tips from a notable Political Mommy Blogger are a perfect way to start.

1. Use the sports analogy.

Democrats are “The Blue Team,” Republicans are “The Red Team.” During the primaries we cheered on specific candidates, but we always stressed the team aspect-even if our chosen candidate didn’t win a primary, it was A-OK, there was someone on “our team” ready to step in and take her or his place. The sports analogy is something that even the youngest readily grasps.

2. Don’t disparage.

Sometimes it’s challenging, but we try very hard not to make negative comments about candidates in front of our children. Because we have two girls I am especially careful about comments I make about Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin. However I feel about them, they are two women who strive to be president and it’s important for my girls to see how very possible that is.

We don’t disparage candidates in front of our daughters. We talk about who is most in line with our personal values, and I don’t think you can fault anyone for that. It’s not that I don’t have plenty to say about candidates and know that eventually, it will be important to engage Bunny and Wallie in political discussions, but not now. I save my criticism for when the girls aren’t around or I take it out on MOMocrats.

3. Tell them (and show them) that anyone can help get their candidate elected.

Bunny and Wallie (or at least one of ‘em) have been with me every time we’ve visited our local Barack Obama headquarters. I usually stop in to pick up stickers or buttons and I always let them choose one. Wallie was enamored with an “Iranians for Obama” button last week and who was I to stop her? We’re all citizens of a world that is getting smaller so I have no problem with her wearing it.

While at the HQ the girls see me give over a few dollars for the buttons and stickers, they see the people on the phones, they see the posters all over and they know how hard our neighbors are working to get our candidate elected.

My hope is that because they’ve been to a campaign office, they won’t be intimidated to stop in to a similar office when they are older and want to get involved. My mom always took us along to fund raisers or to hold signs and wave alongside the politicians she supported and that’s probably why I am the way I am today.

For more tips on getting your family involved in the political process check out the side bar on Poligots.

Stefania Pomponi Butler, founder and owner of the CityMama™ blog, is proud mother to “Bunny” and “Wallie” and wife to “J.” She is a professional writer and blog editor/producer who covers style, food, pop culture, and (of course) parenting with a cheeky twist. She often speaks on blog-related topics.

This post originally appeared at CityMama™ on September 19, 2008 and this section is reprinted here with her permission. You can read it in its entirety HERE . You can call her a Democrat or a bleeding heart hippie liberal, whichever you prefer.