Kids knowing too much is wrong

Wow those poor children having to be around when all that is going on. I agree there are somethings that children should never be exposed to. Those little girls know way to much for there age. I would be appalled if my daughter was to say anything like that. I always try to keep her sheltered from such things. Maybe I am just over protective but thats me.

The question is- should family matters be covered up,(lied about to the kids) in the home? How many respectable parents are ashamed of their home life, to the point of lying to their kids. How many respectable parents don't give a damn, don't have to lie to the kids, and are happy with it all? In my book, lying to the kids would be the very worst scenario. Who cares what the neighbors think, as long as the kids know the dirty, nasty, truth? "The truth shall set you free!" ~ author unknown.

When I read the answers I find it funny that all thinks that they've told the kids this.... they might have heard a word or two from the father on the phone - perhaps some from other grownups and from their friends that heard their parents talk about it - you know gossip travels faster than fire.... I think it's important to be honest to the children, but you don't have to tell all the details - we don't even now if the kids told the truth. Take care and happy MyLoting!

Apparently both parents need a good smack upside the head. No, children should NOT be involved in whatever is going on between the parents. The fact that they knew this information says to me step dad needs to get his priorities straight. I'm a step mom myself and know the damage it can do to the children constantly keeping them involved in the drama that goes on between two parents that act like that. An in all reality, it doesn't matter what age they are either. Children should NEVER feel they need to take sides. They should never feel they will get in trouble if they show affection to one parent or the other. It's the parents that need to be parents and put aside their petty thoughts and concentrate on what's important. Their children.

I believe children shouldn't know about this especially at 8 yrs old. It's okay to "talk with" the 11 year old about the situation. Chances are good though that they heard all this as their stepfather yelled into the phone. I can't believe how people act when they are supposed to be parents. First, the mother shouldn't have done any of this. At least she was away. Since she was away, this little mess shouldn't have even been discussed. I'm not saying she should have hidden it from her current whatever but she should have waited to talk to him until she was home and then the kids were elsewhere.

Wow, I was just about to start a discussion on a very similar thing, relating to unfit parents. Just yesterday I was leaving Target and in the parking lot I saw this woman with twin daughters who were adorable and just being kids. The mom suddenly just got so annoyed that they were walking too slow and grabbed one by the pony tail! Then, as they were getting into the car the father started using the f-word and screaming at the kids. I really wanted to call child services right then and there!

Its really very annoying. These days children are beyond imagination. They knew everything that we even can't think of. It is making them not so good.

No, I don't believe they should know all the gory details. But sometimes I do realize it's not avoidable. Emotions and anger take hold, and sometimes things are said. We're parents yes, but we're human. My son was 8 when we returned home from staying overnight at grandma's to find dad in the living room with his 18 year old "employee" on the sleeper sofa. Considering the situation, and his father's smug attitude I think I kept it in check fairly well (no bloodshed, and yelling was kept to a min). But yes, he knew far too much than he should have. I was thankful to have my mother to watch him afterward for a couple of days so that I could pull myself together, think, and let go of some of my anger which was a good thing.

yeah thats a little too much for a kid to know.

Children shouldn't know too much because they are just not mature enough to handle such knowledge. This would most likely be the cause of a psychological problem for the children.

Honestly, I don't think children should be sheltered from things like that. It's something that effects their lives as well, I mean I would rather have my siblings and I know about my Mom cheating on my Dad than to be left in the dark about it. What if these girls mom and step-dad break up from this? Then the Mother would have to either lie to the girls to shelter them or she would have to tell them about the affair. Personally I think children are smarter and more mature than adults give them credit for.

I think that kids are smarter then we give them credit for, and that they hear things even we don't mean for them too, and often they hear things when we don't even know that they have. I think you should be honest with your children, if there are problems at home there are problems and kids know that. Keeping the problems from them won't keep them from worrying or reacting so you might as well tell them.

I personally would never put myself or my kids in that situation. that is ridiculous. The way I see it is that kids are kids and they should never have to deal with adult problems and stress unless it's absolutely unavoidable. I've been a step mom and mom for 7 years and we've made sure they've never heard any form of heated disagreements between us.