The Dangerous Intersection of Quizzical Minds

As signals at the intersection blink, one may feel safe walking across when the little green man lights up. But that doesn't mean everyone else is obeying the signs, regardless of the obvious directions. We must always be aware of the signs and anything that may go wrong despite them, when it comes to our children's safety. The same thing goes for conversations as they are much longer lasting than lights.

"Where do babies come from?" is a perfect, though used into the dirt, example of awkward questions stemming from a seemingly innocent conversation with a young one. Where that question goes next is even more precarious because the aim's direction comes from the informant. Questioning, yet avoiding, answers may include the stork, God, the mommy, and "I'll tell you when you get older. You don't need to know that now." The reality is if the question arises, the seed is present already. They deserve a responsible answer because they will get one-- if not from you, from someone else willing to deliver.

The difficult portion of this is the child should not need to know scientific terminology to understand the explanation, nor crude language. The conversation should be simply explaining exactly the concern, without additional information until circumstances arise you feel more is necessary. That is, unless other questions arise from the first. Do not be alarmed, but be proud your child is thinking, and feel relief that you have the opportunity to deliver the correct answer.

With the media being ever-present to introduce families to bi-sexuality, medical trauma, violence, and the internet, parents may need to be quick thinkers to pull the explanations off without a hitch. So when you see something that may bring up questions without your child present, pretend the question arises and explain it to yourself in your head or to a friend.

Imagine being a child and discovering a mother has killed her own children. Would you not consider for a moment if your mother might do something so sinister? We'd like to think the answer is "no," because we are loving parents, yet it would be part of the natural thinking process to cross our minds. As adults, we can distinguish between sick people posing as parents and sincerely loving parents. Children only see "parents" and this is where it is confusing to them. This is why it's imperative to keep it as simple as possible and explain the difference between the two, reinforcing your love.

After these types of conversations, always embrace your child, tell them how much they mean to you, and how relieved you are they came to you for the answers. This will ensure they continue to trust and come to you for clear answers.

Inevitably, children eventually come to know "Where babies come from?", "How do gay couples have babies?", "Why did that woman kill her own kids?" etc. Don't you believe you are the best source for the answers? If you don't, you'd better perk up and become prepared, or turn your child's education over to society. Intersections can be extremely dangerous to cross, and it's important to watch the signs!