But WHY?!
Little people are notoriously inquisitive, from the age of two to five my son has bombarded me with questions. At least 1000 daily. I wish the answer to everything could be kittens, or 12. I think on average the most common query, always asked in a high pitched whine is, ‘are we there yet!?’ Closely followed by, ‘What is the dark made of? Why are you so old? Why do I have to do to school? Are aliens real?’
The most beautiful enquiry came last Wednesday, ‘Why is love called love?’ The hardest one being, ‘Where is your daddy?’
At 5am I have had a little finger lift up my eyelid (not cool) and an even littler, whispery voice utter, ‘mummy why does a carnivore only eat meat?’ It’s like I am living on a gameshow. You may sometimes pick diversionary tactics. ‘Let’s ask nanny.’
Below are my top three conundrums so far:
Why is the sky blue?
I went with what I thought was whimsical creative response. ‘Because the sky knows blue is your favorite colour’. Little man gave an exasperated sign and replied, ‘My best is purple’.
Thwarted I bundled him into my arms and went into the garden, I asked, ‘where does light come from?’ He answered with all the conviction of a 5 year old, ‘sun and lightbulbs’. I clumsily explained that light is made up of lots of colours and it travels in a wave (then did wave disco-move hand gestures). He raised an eyebrow. ‘More blue light gets broken in the air because of dust in space so it bounces round and gets into your eyes.’ I don’t as an adult quite get it myself as you may be able to tell.
They take in a lot more than you would think, our little sponges. The other day I told Leo I loved the long white clouds that airplane’s leave behind and he said, ‘I think you mean contrail mummy.’
What happens when you die?
This was a real focus a few months ago for my son and will be for most children at some point. He started asking ‘when are you going to die and what is dying?’ I responded with lots of cuddles and reassurance.
Avoid using phrases like dying is ‘going to sleep’ as your children will likely never go to bed again. It is totally ok to say, ‘that is a really good question do you mind if mummy thinks about that and we talk about it later’. I kept it quite simple and said life has a beginning, being born and an end when you die. Like a story.
Our cat passed away and I explained that nanny buried her and we could put flowers on the grave. Nanny said she went to heaven and then Leo was looking in the sky to see if he could see her. I am not particularly religious but I like that explanation for a child. We watched the Lion king where Mufasa was in the clouds. If you’re of the scientific orientation you can explain we turn into trees or flowers. I made sure to give a clear explanation that the cat died because she was very old, that gave my little man reasoning why it happens.
Halfway through crying after being told he suddenly stopped and asked if he could play Mario cart. Children’s emotions and response are not the same as adults. He has now moved forwards to asking when I die, can he have my I Phone.
Where do babies come from?
Oh. Dear. You panic look at your partner. The first time I made a flippant witty panic comment about a stork and listening to Barry White music. Don’t go for humor it causes confusion and bad bird associated dreams. Joking aside, I think it is important to reassure your children that they can ask questions and they get an honest, if sensitively phrased answer.
Are the eggs in mummy’s tummy the same as we get from the shop in box?
My safe option was daddy’s gives mummy a seed that finds an egg that grows in mummy’s tummy. Though little boy then asked how the baby gets in mummy’s’ tummy, *hmm* I went with special cuddle which was followed by a smile and him informing me he knew where the baby came out *I paused* Your belly button mummy and you make a sound like a chicken when you lay the baby egg’.
I am not a prudish type and I think being an open parent and not being afraid to discuss sex with Leo is important, the more awareness the more control and confidence you have. We do discuss private areas and body parts, we chose willy and ladybird instead of penis and vagina, well I did describe it as ‘ladies bits’ but Leo misheard and said ladybird and it just stuck. Leo had a lisp for a couple of years so couldn’t pronounce P. When he is a bit older we will call them by their names to lessen any sense that sexual topics are off-limits and embarrassing.
But for now he is five and simple will do.
Do not panic my fellow parents, there is always Google.
109 comments
Hehehe! “Practical Applications of Herschel’s Research and Rayleigh’s Law, for Toddlers: an Overview.” Some book, that would be!
I think silly mummy rocks something along those lines…very clever!xx
Great answers! They do ask so many questions! I dread number 2 – will really struggle with that one as I find it hard to think and talk about without panic attacks. #fortheloveofBLOG
I am exactly the same I was just trying not to let my fear spread to him….I wish I could say I dont know it just freaks me out xxx
Ah I love this and chuckled along!! Ladybird particularly made me laugh!! Thanks for co-hosting #fortheloveofBLOG and apologies for the (very, very) late reading this week!!
Bahaha crying with laughter-don’t confuse them with storks and Barry White music! Argh these clever kids are a nightmare aren’t they. 6 year old asked me to explain ‘semantics’ with a diagram last night. I cried x
Oh my lord, start saving for little lad to go to university now that’s some impressive vocabulary he has! I also love that he asked for a diagram…I would have cowered under a table at that question!xx
Oh I love these questions … and your answers. The death one is hard (as it is for grown ups). NG just thinks people and animals ‘go up into the sky’ as I can’t actually think of another way to explain it at the moment. She’s nearly 3 and seems to be happy with this at the moment … we’ll see how long it lasts before she starts really probing. #fortheloveofBLOG
I said sky at first too and I think its a nice concept as they can see the sky, I am just dreading the next level of questions, you need a degree in child logic!x
I have been getting the ‘where do babies come from’ question a lot. When I explained that babies come from mummy’s tummy, they said “oh do they just pop out when you want to cuddle them” – ehh kind of lol!!! Xxxx #fortheloveofBLOG
Yes go with yes….they just pop out…like magic…..there is no swearing or begging for drugs involved lol…x
Love the use of the word ladybird to describe your bits and pieces! My daughter is so inquisitive and I am dreading some of those tougher questions, her favourite at the moment is where is your grandad mummy? To which I say in the sky but she still doesn’t believe me! #fortheloveofBLOG xx
My little boy spend ages looking at the sky for our cat, to which I told him it is a very big sky when he got sad..they are so literal!xx
Haha the constant “why” is a killer isn’t it?! I try not to say “because it just is!” or “because I said so”… but I do! H x
Yup I have let sip the because that’s the way it is a few times, I have started to say I am not sure why don’t you tell me what you think..the little random stories that come from that are perfect!x
Such gorgeous questions. I wish I’d kept a record of some of my kids’ questions when they were younger. I still get some good ones now, but usually respond ‘I don’t know, why don’t we Google it’! Unless it’s a body question, I’m quite good at those! #FortheloveofBLOG
Haha I will divert my sons body questions to you then, the other day he was asking what your ribs are for, I was fascinated what made him consider that question in the first place!x
Yeah, no worries! Or there’s always Dr Chris & Dr Xand on Operation Ouch!
Oh yes, the endless questions of an inquisitive child. Although I know it can be exhausting answering so many questions it is so wonderful that your son’s mind is inquisitive and bubbling with lots of questions and thoughts and lovely that he’s asking you. One day they’ll be all grown up and maybe won’t rely on us as much for the answers they seek…That’s when we’ll miss it. Thanks for sharing #fortheloveofblog
True the day mummy’s opinions are not important or not sought will be a sad day for me. I am also looking forward to when he starts coming back from school and telling me things he has learnt 🙂 x
Oh I have all this to look forward to! My three year old is all about the WHY WHY WHY at the moment, and I thought that was bad enough. I think I’ll make the most of it while it remains quite simple! #fortheloveofBLOG
It goes from whyyyyyy to whaaaat…and then just gets more and more complex, it is enjoyable though seeing them learn as you explain things 🙂 x
Brilliant responses, I’ll be using some of those! Big Munch loves asking me who’s the boy, who’s that girl when we walk past them as if I know every single human being in London. Totally agree all of those cute (some difficult) questions should be recorded somewhere. Good material for the speeches at their weddings one day…x
Hehe your child sounds more polite than mine, he asks people in the street whether they are girls or boys, i.e. if a girl has short hair, luckily most people are very open! Haha why don’t you know everyone in London! Definitely speech material! x
How adorable! And what brilliant questions – love your response to why the sky is blue! Also, how cute was his question around love x #fortheloveofBLOG
He does ask some adorable things…as well as some awful ones! The sky is blue one was tricky, it involved serious research and discussion in my lunchbreak lol x
A fab post with a good mix of humour and good advice! I will definitely be using the ‘That is a really good question do you mind if mummy thinks about that and we talk about it later’ from now on! My son asked me what tampons were for the other day….. arghhhhhhh – I agree with you about being open but it’s so hard not to make things sound scary either! #fortheloveofBLOG x
Oh yep I deflected the tampon one as I am not sure how to approach it…could I go with its for when mummy has a nosebleed?!x
My son is 5 and literally never stops with the questions, drives me crackers! x #fortheloveofBLOG
Maybe we should put are to together in a cupboard with some milky buttons and let them answer each others questions….interesting social experiment…x
Haha, now that would be interesting x
Such a cute kid! Loved this it made me laugh. ‘Can I have your iPhone?’ He moved on quickly haha! Some really good tips I wouldn’t of thought of- going to sleep being one of them. My son’s 7 months old so I have time yet thankfully! #fortheloveofBLOG thanks for hosting!
Thank you for commenting my lovely, yup I am worth a lot to him…I did say when I die hopefully he will be grown up and have his own phone but nope he wants mine with angry birds…charming….x
I love those questions, my 4 year old son asks me ‘mummy, where does your wee, wee come out, coz you don’t have a willy,’ normally I gloss over it, but my husband actually told him Vagina. He hasn’t asked since, though I did have visions of him running around shouting Vagina out really loudly whilst at preschool. x #fortheloveofBLOG
Haha bless him, m on has asked why don’t I have a willy on a bus before…they do love to keep us on our toes!x
My little boy is nearly 2…every day he learns new things and I know he will be a massive chatterbox and inquisitive just like me! Il make sure I’m ready for all questions that get thrown at me #fortheloveofBLOG
Just start Googling now…answers to things as random as possible..like why to we have a face and what is carpet made out of!xx
Ah! I cannot wait for my son to start talking and ask questions, although I will probably regret saying that when it happens! I love how children are so inquisitive and have no cares in the world – I never want my son to grow up lol 😀 #fortheloveofBLOG
Five I think is my favourite age so far, watching them develop into a little person with their own opinions is fascinating! x
I am looking forward to some questions but, I must admit, dreading others (in particular the death one, and the inevitable question about why he doesn’t have a daddy). I love the use of ladybird here! #fortheloveofBLOG
The daddy one is hard, we still get why does daddy not live in our house and you just have to remind them that parents love them and all families are different (I brought a bad of jelly sweets and said all sweets are different..he them got distracted eating the sweets)…x
Oh my goodness it gets even better!! This week my 7yr old asked if he could borrow my phone to ask Siri “what these two balls are for?” Yes THOSE ones!!!! 🙂 #fortheloveofBLOG
I spat my tea across the table laughing at this….I am really tempted to ask siri the same question myself and see what the answer is…chuckle that has made me day!x
OMG do it! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Kids!
I am looking forward to and dreading in equal measures when my son is old enough to start asking questions! I hope I will take an open approach and try to keep as close to the truth as possible, but I have a feeling there may be times when I get taken by surprise and mutter “ask your father!” #fortheloveofBLOG
Everyone is allowed a few ask your dad or nanny free passes..I think it is in the parenting rule book!xx
This made me laugh! I shall look forward to when my son learns to talk, eek!
Laura 🙂
#forthelocrofBLOG
Haha It is ok you have a little while to read up on your science and trivia..having a child is like constantly being at a pub quiz lol xx
Oh darling you sound like the most amazing mummy – I love your answer about giving yourself time to think – wish I’d had your wisdom when mine were small! Oh and the questions – boy, is your son inquisitive – I love it! You have to write them all down in a book – actually I think it would make a brilliant children’s book, Jade. And ha ha ha ladybird – love it too much xx #fortheloveofBLOG
Hey lovely, We should do one together what teens and what children say, and how to not be driven insane ;)..wine? I started doodling some of the things he said will have to start doing it again!x
It’s a date – let’s do it! xx
Wow your son really does have an inquisitive mind. I am very impressed with your fielding technique and answers to some deep and tricky questions. I love how little people come out with such gems and catch you off guard how do you keep a straight face on some of these!? Thank goodness for Google #fortheloveofBLOG
Ha sometimes I have to take a breath and try no to chuckle sometimes I just laugh but am careful to say I am not laughing at him, I say he makes me feel happy…don’t want him getting a complex!xx
Im dreading holly asking where babies come from. I am pregnant just now and she knows her baby sister is in there and that my tummy is getting bigger. she hasn’t asked how she is coming out our how she got there yet!! Im sure when i was a kid (I’m an only child) I was told I came from the cabbage patch lol. Then I was horrified when one of my friends mums were having a baby when we were aged 5, and i found it he was in her tummy lol
Great post!
Lx
#fortheloveofBLOG
OMG I remember the cabbage patch story, there was also those weird cabbage patch dolls…Oh bless her I bet she will make a fab big sister and I am glad she is too distracted by growing tummy to ask questions!xx
Great post. My eldest (8) still asks thousands of questions daily I’ve taken to writing them down to look up later! #awks #fortheloveofBLOG
Haha you should write a book of ‘questions your kids ask’, it would be like the new modern day encyclopaedia!….x
What a sweet, sweet little man! Those are some adorable questions. I love your explanation about the seed and egg. I might use that myself. Whats not to love about that innocence!! #fortheloveofblog
I hope he retains some of his sweetness in later years! Its a good one to use because it is kind of true! Innocence is precious..trying to keep it as looong as possible, thanks for commenting lovely xx
Yeah I did something similar with the sky blue thing, tried to talk about different coloured marbles falling through holes on the sky and only the blue ones fit. Perhaps not the best idea. Then I went with the light gives everything it’s colour, your blue trousers, the red car??
Eldest seems happiest with the disappearing bodies of Star Wars jedi for death. Doesn’t understand that we can’t definitely tell him what happens be because very few have come ‘back’ to tell us what it was like ????
They come up with the best things .. Shows inquisitive minds! #fortheloveofblog
I think your marbles explanation is beautiful! Really poetic and creative. Oh yes I love star-wars, but then you can still hear the voices of some that have dies so that might confuse them..though you could go with people’s voices stay in your memory and your thoughts..complex! x
Oh I love ‘what is dark made of’!! We are most definitely on the what is dying/where is heaven/when am I going to heaven/I don’t want to die page at the moment… It’s tricky territory and sometimes I find I’m tying myself up in knots! And re body parts we’ve gone with willy and privates so far but the jury’s out on what we’ll end up calling them – fortunately that question hasn’t been asked yet so I’ll cross that bridge when we come to it! #fortheloveofBLOG
I was really perturbed the week Leo was constantly talking about dying to be honest its a topic that makes me anxious so I had to ensure that that didn’t transfer to him that he felt comfortable to ask. The private naming game is a good un! x
Ah bless him so bright and inquisitive! It really is difficult to get the answers right sometimes isn’t it? Their minds take in more than we realise!
#fortheloveofBLOG
They are definitely little sponges! I think just the fact that you are trying to give a good answer means you are doing it right! Well that is what I tell myself!x
Oh Jade I love this. I think I’m going to struggle when I get to this stage especially with sex and death as I believe in honesty but its very hard to be honest with a tiny child – especially if you aren’t religious when it comes to death. I like your sky explanation, I literally don’t know how I would answer that. I have some beautiful encyclopaedias so I think I will just whack them out whenever he asks a question that I’m not sure of and maybe he will be so distracted by the brown leather and smell of old books that he forgets the difficult question!? My friends mum used to say to him when he asked things that are basically impossible to answer: ‘So that you could ask me that question’. I can’t decide if that is awesome or terrible but I’ve always remembered him telling me that! #fortheloveofBLOG
I think you will be amazing darling, I think you be honest but age appropriate and develop the answer as they get older! Leo is currently obsessed with are we poor or rich?!x
Without doubt the three most popular questions asked by children and the most awkward. Sounds like you handled it all beautifully. I found the challenge at that age was when they compared notes with their mates about these conundrums and then came back with a completely different theory. Watch this space! #fortheloveofblog
Oh crikey I never thought of that, I think school is tricky as he got told the other day that there is no Santa (this other little boys mum did not want to lie to her LO so they had always known and he decided to share with the class)..I dont encourage lying but I love the idea of Santa and the magic it brings to children..I had to panic talk my way out of that conundrum…x
Sounds to me like you gave great answers to some difficult questions. I can see myself turning to Google for assistance when the time comes. I guess it’s a good opportunity to show them how to do research as well. #fortheloveofBLOG
Definitely, and that its ok to not know the answer, that grown ups do not know everything and make it fun to look things up and learn x
Don’t you also find that they ask the most embarrassing questions at very public times, my kids always seem to know the most inappropriate time to ask something lol.
#fortheloveofBLOG
Yup Leo likes discussing breasts in busy supermarket queue’s..you see people politely turn away but know they are listening really carefully for your answer!x
Your son is so bright! He asks very important questions and the answers you’ve given him must really help to satisfy his curiosity. I agree with you that simple versions of the truth are best, the baby question is always tricky especially at such a young age! #fortheloveofblog
Haha too bright sometimes..we are currently in a stage of not listening to mummy..when I discussed this with him he said that his feelings are important and to be equal I need to do what he says as much as he does what I says, I tried to explain mummy was a grown up and when I asked him to say..go to bed its because his body needs sleep..he comes back with you are old your body is more tired, you go to bed earlier…I am both frustrated and always impressed with his logic! x
Haha, that is hilarious! You have a very clever little boy!
He sounds so bright Jade! My son was exactly the same and now that he is ten years old he asks questions either to annoy or embarrass me when he really knows the answer or he asks me something I have no clue about. So thank god for google. I really hope that google doesn’t actually build a profile of me based on what I google though because it would make for a somewhat awkward read.
Anyway I digress. Sounds like you are handling all the questions beautifully! #fortheloveofBLOG
Haha to embarrass you?..little mischief..I think Leo will totally be the same…He once asked in the middle of a queue mummy why do you have big boobies..everyone decided to stare them…cringe..thank you for a lovely comment xx
Ladybird lol – thats so cute! but yes, the questions lol – the babies one was difficult haha.. but your right being as open and honest as possible is the best way by far.. there are tons of ‘go and ask nanny’ answers in my house lol #fortheloveofBLOG
Haha Nanny does tend to make some very random answers up though! Think she finds it funny…x
Ahh the questions, so glad I’m past that stage! Although Olivia never really asked any questions about dying though we skipped that one #fortheloveofblog
Leo for a good week it was all he talked about..I was slightly unnerved! Now we are only why things are called they do…mummy why is a tree called a tree…sometimes I just sign and think happy thoughts…x
These are key questions! well played with your answers, I must say. 🙂 We’ve faced all of them and our approach was very similar in all cases. I say we, I sent the boy upstairs to ask his mum where babies come from. Fair enough, right….
Haha a very skilled passing the buck there…I was very tempted to be like ask daddy…but then I thought I am saving that card for dating…and the teen years…x
I love that it is called a ‘ladybird’! I think I might have to adopt that, it made me laugh out loud! Love your answers!
Hehe I think its a nice one..but then my son saw a real ladybird in the garden and was like mummy why are they called the same thing?! I almost cried with laughter!x
what a lovely inquisitive little boy. I had to give my daughter full sex education when she was 3 as she was asking a lot of questions! But now she’s older she doesn’t ask so many. #fortheloveofBLOG
Haha …I will be sending my son over to you as you sound like a pro! Glad to hear the questions potentially die off..I love hearing the things my son has learnt too like when he suddenly spurts out with…in space it is cold and no one can hear you..halfway through eating an ice cream…x
My three year old loves to ask questions all day long too, and yesterday my littlest, who is almost two, asked her first “but, why?”…. So now it begins X2!
It sounds like you’re a pro at the difficult questions and I agree that it’s important to be as open and honest as you can or it just leads to more confusion. They always come up with some that can totally throw you though don’t they! #fortheloveofBLOG
Thnak you for commenting 🙂 Oh you will have two gorgeous, little question machines to deal with 🙂 You can go with the ask your older sibling option and listen to what fascinating stories get made up! x
Oh God, I don’t know what I’m going to do when the Popple gets older and starts asking these kinds of questions. Kids think that their parents know everything – little do they know that we’re often completely clueless! Especially when it comes to science stuff, at least for me. Your explanation about why the sky is blue is far better than anything I would have come up with. For most things, I think I’ll have to go with, “I’m not sure – let’s look it up together.” Ah, Google. #fortheloveofBLOG
Google owe me a small fortune I think…in promotion…that or Leo will lend up working for them when he is older! I have started enjoying looking things up…shocked by all the things I do not know!x
I think there’s some serious mummy points for your answers! It’s trying to get into the mind of your child and explain it how they can understand it. I heard a child in our local shop asking his mummy a question as she was buying electric, “what is electric?” To be told “shut up, we need to get home”. Eh? Poor kid. I know my monster is going to be a million questions a day kinda kid. I need encyclopedias for Christmas! #fortheloveofBLOG
We have all been in the tired stressed my god I need a coffee mode but I think I would have gone with a wildcard answer like its magic..or lightening trapped in wires..haha mums should all have free shares in Google! x
Hi Jade, a lovely post because you are so open and honest and PATIENT with your son. Daughter 2 was a, ‘why’ girl and it is exhausting! I get really stressed with too many ‘difficult’ questions, as it makes me realise how little I know about some things – I could never be a primary school teacher! You seem to be doing a great job at answering the questions, especially as your son appears to be rather an intelligent little boy, who won’t be fobbed off! Also, I agree with being open with children regarding sex. Having 4 daughters, I need to make sure I get that one right! Good to link up with #fortheloveofBLOG Alison x
Haha my lovely I am not always patient sometimes I just want to hit my head on a wall….middle of the night/bedtime questions I find hardest…just go to sleep! I did used to get stressed until I just started saying lets go look together or can mummy think about it. Four daughters….hats off too you!xx
This made me chuckle. My baby is only 6 months old, but I have a friend with a very inquisitive 3 year old who asks a 1000 questions a day too. I think my fave so far was when they were on the bus and she asked “why does that man have a nose?” ? (After asking who is he, where’s he been, where’s he going…..)
#fortheloveofBLOG
Haha good question noses are fascinating..my little man is currently on a massive trend of why things are named what they are..i.e. why is hungry called hungry…why is sun called sun…I am flabbergasted…going to start googling the origin of words! x
These are great mum-splanations! I am dreading the day my three year old asks a question that I don’t know the answer to. Someone once said a great way of dealing with that is to say, “let’s look up the answer in a book” – although probably nowadays it’s more likely to be “let’s see what Google says!
I think thats a lovely way of doing things as it is together and it is showing them that mummy does not know everything but wants to learn too…my son is like…you don’t know..ok I will go get your phone….doh…x
I really love this post and how inquisitive and intelligent your son is, as I know all children can be. It made me think it is better not to make up silly answers on the spot and to just be honest in the simplest way – I am going to need to brush up on my science! #fortheloveofBLOG
Thank you for commenting lovely, children and there fascination with the world make me smile..I wish I still had that much of a questioning nature..he has made me realise how much trivia I do not know!x
I think you did very well with all your answers. I have no idea why the sky is blue, eep!I’m sorry to hear about your cat but it sounds like Leo has taken the news ok and seems happy with your explanation. I’m pregnant with my second and my boy (he’s 3) hasn’t asked how baby got in my tummy but is annoyed that baby can’t come out yet. I think you explained it very well though, I think it’s important to be as honest and open as you can. Hopefully it will save awkward conversations in the future!xx #fortheloveofBLOG
Hehe you never know quite what to say but like you said..I go with age appropriate honesty..My son keeps asking for a baby brother and said he could find a seed in the garden..made me chuckle..
Oh I love this and nooooooooo you mean the questions don’t ease when they are five? My son’s 3 and yes, I think we are on at least 1,000 a day too. I will definitely have to revert to the use of wiki and google in a year or two’s time. Love where Ladybird originated from, haha #fortheloveofBLOG
Hehe three is the age of WHYYYYYYY…as they get older the questions get more complex..Google wil ldefinatley be your friend! x
I quite like ladybird as an alternative to “lady bits” – we refer to them as “girlie bits” in our house. The comment about the baby coming out your belly button and you making a sound like a chicken when you lay the baby egg was brilliant – I had such a wonderful mental image of that. I’m quite relieved that we have yet to have questions about dying from the girls and I’ve never quite got my head around why the sky is blue so I will be passing that one over to Daddy to answer as I’m sure he understands it a lot better than I do. Maybe he can help me get to grips with it as well! 🙂 #triballove
Hey lovely thank you so much for a lovely comment, I almost cried when he said about chickens clucking..I thought more like screaming for an epidural. I do love their lovely innocent curious questions x
Oh Jade, I really like your parting shot to us BUT I love the rest of your post more. I too try to give simple but real answers to the questions that have already started as a daily bombardment. And you think you’ve really nailed it, then toddler-logic strikes and wham…how did we end up here!? Someone I know didn’t want to tell their son about death so told them that the person in question had ‘gone away’. Someone else told their (now grown up) son that X went to heaven and heaven was up in the sky…he was deeply troubled that the person might fall on his head.
The second one made me laugh (the son in question is now 40, I’m allowed to laugh), the first one really got me thinking – i do believe we each know our own children best so perhaps that was right for them but I am quite sure my son would not respond well to that choice of language – I go away, my husband goes away. This dead person is not coming back, I wouldn’t want my son to think going away necessarily means not coming back. Anyway I’m rambling but the death and illness and baby questions for obvious reasons are definitely on my mind at the moment! #triballove