In the wake of Donald Trump's election, many Democrats have been writing to me to ask,

what should we tell our children?

Today in a special edition of the mailbag, I'd like to answer some of those letters.

Here's one from the offices of the New York Times, a former newspaper.

Dear Mr. Claven, ever since election day, my eight-year-old daughter can't sleep at night.

When I asked her why, she turned her big, adorable eyes at me and said,

I'm afraid because all the people who supported Donald Trump are racists and sexists

who would kill my little black friends if I had any.

What should I tell my daughter?

Signed sleepless in Manhattan.

Dear sleepless, just sit your daughter down and say,

honey, I thought I told you not to read Daddy's newspaper.

All those things Daddy wrote about Trump photos.

Those aren't true. Daddy was just writing silly stuff to make people believe what he wanted them to believe.

So there's really nothing to be afraid of, except the fact that your daddy is a manipulative liar.

But Mommy already told you that, and you only have to see Daddy every other weekend now, so it's not so bad.

Here's another letter from trembling with rage and loss angeles.

Dear Andrew, my eight-year-old transgender son cries himself to sleep every night.

When I asked him why, he said,

Mommy, now that Donald Trump is elected, I'm afraid I'll hit my head on a glass ceiling and die.

What should I tell him?

Dear trembling, you should be able to calm your son's fears by saying something like sweetheart.

...