How to talk with kids about death, race and other tough topics

Children ask a ton of questions, and not all are as easy to answer as 'Can I have a pony?' When the biggest, most daunting subjects come up, there are some good strategies to lean into.

Maggie Starbard for NPR She accused her boss, the sheriff, of harassment. She got demoted. And even though it was one of many allegations against him, he's still in office. Gerald Antinoro leads law enforcement in Storey County, Nev., despite accusations of harassment, using racial slurs, misusing government resources, even rape. He denies all of it and has never been prosecuted, but an internal investigation found he did harass then-Chief Deputy Melanie Keener. But only Antinoro still has his job. "It's hard when you know that your law enforcement career is over and the person who ended your career is walking around like a little hero," Keener says. "Nothing he has done ever catches up to him." Courtesy of Scott Cantrell As Walmart CEO promises they'll get new work, greeters with disabilities still worry about their future The retail behemoth is phasing out the greeter job, replacing it with more physically demanding work that some currently manning the doors won't be able to perform, NPR reported Monday. Walmart head Greg Foran told store managers Friday that "if any associate in this unique situation wants to continue working at Walmart, we should make every effort to make that happen." In some well-publicized cases, workers already have accepted new jobs, but other employees and relatives are skeptical.  "Part of me is afraid that ... they're going through the motions," said one worker's mother. "I don't want to get Nathan's hopes up and in six months, they're going to do this all over again." Editor's note: If you're a Walmart greeter — or know someone who is — and would like to share your story with NPR, please reach out to us at tech@npr.org. LA Johnson/NPR Five ways to make challenging conversations with your children easier  Sesame Workshop's experts say you should start by making sure you understand the question and why it's being asked. Kids don't need to know everything all at once; instead they get a grip on an issue a little bit at a time. Remember to make sure they feel safe and loved and to share how you're feeling. And for the really complex topics? Take them as an opportunity to learn together. Angel Valentín for KHN 'My funeral would have been cheaper': a stray kitten, a tiny bite and a charge over $46,000 for a single rabies shot in the ER After getting nipped just outside Everglades National Park, biologist Jeannette Parker knew she needed to get treated for rabies quickly. It was only later that she discovered that the hospital she went to charged 10 times the wholesale price for one of the treatments. Despite insurance coverage, Parker still owed thousands for the shot. With hospitals now publishing their prices online, it's a reminder that a few minutes poring over different facilities' documents could save a lot of money. Andrew Harnik/AP With recent wins in the popular vote but losses in the Electoral College, blue states aim to make it obsolete Proposed legislation in Colorado and New Mexico would add their electoral votes to the tally of the popular vote winner, once enough states to constitute a 270-vote majority have passed similar bills. With the Mountain West states added, the coalition is 84 votes away. Democrats, who took losses to presidents Donald Trump and George W. Bush despite getting more votes overall, say it's fairer. Republicans say it would change presidential campaigns' focus from a range of swing states to just the country's biggest cities, leaving rural voters forgotten. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: bestofnpr@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to our Best of NPR emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002