Joe Wilson shouted “You Lie!” at the President of the United States -- while he’s speaking to a joint session of Congress.  Mike DuVall, California assemblyman, resigned Wednesday after a sex scandal!  The news is filled with stories about our elected officials, acting rude, being lewd—what’s a parent to do?

Joe Wilson, Mike DuVall and many others are supposed to be the folks who lead the rest of us in this country and our children are taught about American government and these elected officials in school. But what can parents tell children to explain the dishonorable conduct of some of our nation’s leaders?  I asked some savvy parents about ways to explain the bad behavior of our elected leaders.

Erin Kotecki Vest is a parent, writer and hosts BlogHer BackTalk. Vest is an active voice in political circles and gives this advice for parents:

Remind your kids that even adults make mistakes. No one is perfect, not even our politicians, our celebrities, or our leaders. Talk to them about leadership. What are qualities they think makes someone a good leader? Remind them why it’s important to apologize and that even adults have to say “I’m sorry” sometimes. Have a discussion.

Jessica Gottlieb, a writer and mother named to Nielsen’s Power Mom list in 2008 and 2009, gave her opinion on Joe Wilson’s outburst and what she tells her own children:

You should speak to everyone with the same respect that you would expect to receive. People won’t listen to you when you are unkind or out of turn, and I would be very disappointed in you if you did something like that.

Lolita Carrico, my boss and founder of myGloss, is a frequent guest on talk shows and interviews about moms, as well as being a mom of two boys.  Lolita gives parents the following tips for explaining the less than honorable actions of our leaders:

Remind children that while adults make mistakes too, we all have to be responsible for our actions. That means saying sorry and / or accepting the consequences when we do the wrong thing.