Dad needs to show an incredible amount of respect and humor and friendship toward his mate so the kids understand their parents are sexy, they're fun, they do things together, they're best friends. Kids learn by example. If I respect Mom, they're going to respect Mom.
It is hard to look the other way when a dictator is being so cruel and violent with his own people.
I guess they're tough jokes. But there's lots of things you either laugh or cry at. And you just can't cry.