This is the first of a series of short posts that are meant to be like little nudges of counsel from what I’ve been able to experience with my 5 year old and my (almost) 2 year old.
Daddy, but Why?
Every child goes through a “Why?” stage. It helps them cope with their reality. Although it can become a little annoying after the first 8 “why?’s” It is immensely helpful to them. Try to remain calm.
Children will ask what they need/want to know when they are ready. There are a lot of things they will ask about.
- Sex
- Drugs / alcohol
- Same sex marriage / homosexuality / lesbianism
- Death
- What “x” curse means
- Why some of their friends are bigger / taller / skinnier or fatter than them
- God / religion
- Is Santa Claus / Easter Bunny / Tooth Fairy real?
- Etcetera
Prepare yourself
Get ready to have an answer for any of their questions. Gather your better half, your Master Yoda, and make a list of tough issues and how you will address them. Prepare an answer which is in agreement with both of you (if you are a single parent, this does not apply, of course). Study it. Memorize it. Let it become part of your blood. When they ask, your answer will spill out as planned and the day will be saved.
Your targeted / specific answers protect them from misinformation they might get from a different source, such as friends, people near them, TV Shows, Magazine articles, blogs, ads, imaginary friends, etc… Remember they view us parents as the perfect source of information, so whatever we say, is the way it is. Just don’t let it get to your head, ok?
It’s a great power that we must employ with great responsibility. Use it well.
Rick,
I really like the agreement part amongst parents, but I do think it becomes even more important to reach an agreement when they are separated too.
I have a post I wrote and have not uploaded touching this will use this post as a reference. Thanks
Well, you know what? I agree also. Maybe I should’ve explain better there.
I was thinking of some examples where one of the parent is absent and is not a part of the child’s life. In that case, the responsible single parent can make all the decisions and later “inform” of the action taken to the other (if communication between the part still exists).
Thanks for bringing that up. It is an important remark.