Have You Ever Asked By A Kid But Didn't Know What To Answer?
By Lance26
@Lance26 (956)
Philippines
December 23, 2010 3:56am CST
Kids are always curious about almost everything in their surroundings. It is in their nature to ask so many questions from the time they wake up until going to bed. Always interested on how and why things do happen or not even they have nothing to do with them. The reason, they simply want to know and learn new things as they are in the age where the world is a total stranger to them.
I entertain their questions as far as I can and in a way they would easily understand. We must know an effortless yes or no isn't enough for them as they surely follow it up with why or how. Sometimes I ask google just to make sure what I am imparting to them is factual. There are times I can't give an explanation because even myself don't know or couldn't give the answer to such things like the purpose of the stars above, why apple shaped like heart, why do men need to be circumcised, why mom & dad exchanging 'ohhhs' and 'hmmmm' at night among other out of this world questions.
How do you respond to kids with these type of questions? Have you ever lost of words?
Do you always tell them the truth?
4 people like this
16 responses
@Wefight (328)
•
23 Dec 10
Yes i have a little brother an he is very curious of the world at the moment as it must be a new place for him as he has only been alive 7 years nearlly 8 years but usually i will skip over to something else really quick so he dont notice if he asks me a question about something not his age or what i think he should not know about.If he was to do it in public then i would do the same or tell him i will tell you at home.Most of the time he forgets the question at home anyway.
@ladynetz (968)
• Canada
23 Dec 10
You're so right. Kids like to explore their surroundings and find out "why" things are happening. If we don't satisfy their need of knowing, they will get used to the "being idle" idea and will not advance in life as those who are always seeking for answers. I try always to answer their questions, and as close to the truth their age can process. if a question is too hard, I'll say that we have to go to the libarary and get a great book that answers it. There i always a book with explanations age appropriate. Hiding the truth from them will just make them resent you and not confide in you later in life.
That's a hard mission, to know how to answer, but it's a worthy cause.
@damned_dle (3942)
• Philippines
23 Dec 10
I get that all the time from my 5 yo son. There are many questions that have no answers. Like one time he asked "Why are there gay and lesbian people?" What can I answer? So I just said, that's just the way it is.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
24 Dec 10
yes, i definitely have undergo this kind of experience before because i had been teaching sunday school for more than 12 years now... when this happen, i usually be very honest with them... i tell them that i don't know the answer yet but i will look for the answer and get back to them as soon as possible... that's it... take care and have a nice day...
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
24 Dec 10
Kids are always curious about everything! I think its important for parents to realize that when they get asked a question by a young child, no matter what it is - For God's sake answer it truthfully! Kids always know more than their parents suppose, and if the kid is not happy with the answer he got from his parents, he will most likely go down the street and ask a neighbor!
@Zhizho (1350)
• Indonesia
25 Dec 10
Yes, you are really right about it.Sometimes we could not imagine how can they thinking about something that we never think about it. Or something that they have known about adult things.There is the ways we have to know. The first, we can act normally, not shock or we are over reaction. Second, tell the truth that we need time to answer or looking for the answer. Important to give them truth answer or fact but by sentences that proper on their age.
@sachii315 (488)
• Japan
26 Dec 10
Hi Lance26! My 5 year old nephew is always curious and keeps on asking questions about anything. He used to talk with their neighbor who is not that very gay but just a bit girly at that time. Then when that guy suddenly changed his lifestyle, my nephew just asked me what had happened with him? why did he wear women's clothes everyday? why did he became a woman? I did not know what to say to him since the topic is still a taboo for us. I was very hesitant to tell him that such things existed. So I just told him he was just cross-dressing since cross-dressing is popular here just to avoid the topic. Haha.. I just don't know how to explain it correctly for him to understand.. Happy mylotting!
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
28 Dec 10
I'm lucky so far, i'm able to answer whatever questions is being thrown at me. I would only tell them what i know, and things i'm sure of. I don't want to mislead them by telling them the wrong facts, and embarassed myself if my lie is being exposed by them. IF i don't know the answer to their question, i would offer to find out together with them, making it look like an activity for them, and they would look forward to it.
@oprofitis (34)
• Greece
23 Dec 10
I have a little sister, so I know what you mean. When she asks something that isn't for age (according to my parents' opinion and not mine) I just say something general about it and I stress that she is going to learn it when she grows up. It's rare that I do not know the answers, but it is difficult to explain them. My suggestion would be to always tell the truth, or at least shape the truth in an appropriate way for a kid. If some of their questions are not answered now, maybe later on it will be too late to even think about anwering.
@Lance26 (956)
• Philippines
23 Dec 10
Same here, when they asked me things which I think is inappropriate for their age, I just tell them that in time they will fully understand such point. But I'm just wondering aren't we giving them another thing to think about or confuse them by saying this over used line?
@chelseabelle (197)
• United States
24 Dec 10
My child isn't old enough to ask questions yet, but I have a little sister and brother who ask me questions frequently. I try to the best of my ability to answer them honestly. I would rather them know the truth about something then later find out that I gave them a dishonest answer.
@fgb_fritz (278)
• Philippines
23 Dec 10
yes.. kids in now generation are wiser, because of advancement
@webearn99 (1742)
• India
23 Dec 10
Long story short. Two sons. Now grown up. Wanted to know how they were born, when kids. Know the answer but stumped nevertheless!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
23 Dec 10
Children are so innocently curious and have a question after the first question and answers. LOL..
In all honesty I am very truthful when it comes to the questions my own children have as I certainly do not want them to get the wrong information somewhere else. I certainly with reason give them enough to answer and leave the rest gruesome details for when they are older.
