When you become a parent of a tiny one you will constantly encourage them to talk to you and then they grow up quickly and begin asking the most difficult of questions. Parenting isn’t easy at the best of times but certain questions your children ask can be tremendously awkward leaving you with two options – to lie or to tell the truth.
When you become a parent of a tiny one you will constantly encourage them to talk to you and then they grow up quickly and begin asking the most difficult of questions. Parenting isn’t easy at the best of times but certain questions your children ask can be tremendously awkward leaving you with two options – to lie or to tell the truth. Of course, telling the truth is the right thing to do and here we have come up with a few tips on answering awkward questions.
What kind of awkward questions do kids ask?
Well, they can ask anything and that is why it is so scary! After chatting with several parents many listed these below as the main tricky/awkward questions their children have asked:
- Where do babies come from?
- Why do boys have willies?
- Why don’t girls have willies?
- Will my willy fall off?!
- Why do people die?
- Why aren’t we rich?
- How does the Earth move?
- Where are the dinosaurs?
- Are we going to die?
- Why are some people hairy?!
As you can see, the list comprises many sensible questions, but we can all agree they are difficult to answer for various reasons.
To answer such questions, you need to start at the beginning and sit with your child giving them your full attention. If you are asked an awkward question while you are busy tell your kiddie, you will have to come back to it later. Make sure you do otherwise your child will ask again and be even more inquisitive. You need to show your child how asking questions is welcomed and that you are happy to help them in any way you can.
Start by answering the question in an age-appropriate manner and taking your child’s personality into account. Some kids take in information better than others whereas others struggle to digest details. Gauge your child’s mood and be patient with them as they will probably ask more questions as quickly as you answer them.
Be as honest as you can be. Sure, you don’t want to frighten your kids but in terms of “death” questions, you can’t protect them from seeing people they love die. It is a fact of life and hopefully, they won’t have to deal with it for some time, but people do leave us, and your kiddie needs to know why and how it happens. Teach them about people who pass away and how their spirit lifts into heaven. Be as gentle as you can and if your child keeps asking until they question their own mortality, be truthful and tell them everyone goes to heaven someday but that they don’t have to worry about that right now. Most children will accept this.
Keep working on conversations and don’t shy away from awkward questions or conversations. Children need to feel heard and they need to know you may not have all the answers, but you will do your best. Be patient with your child and use books as resources for certain subjects relating to body differences of boys/girls, or encyclopaedia books for science or geography questions. Use your common sense for most questions and let your child guide you. Remember even the most awkward of question will need to be answered otherwise your child will go elsewhere (friends) for answers and probably not get the best one.
Written by Emma Hayes staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.emmamadjotters.com.
