Looks like it’s finally time to explain to my daughter where she came from. She’d been satisfied by my earlier answer — something like, “Your dad and I loved each other and wanted you, so we asked God for a little girl like you” — but that no longer cuts it. Now she’s digging deeper: “You loved each other… but how? I was in your belly… how did I get out? I’m part of you and Dad… how does that work?” Brace yourselves — we’re in for a talk.
Her curiosity about the opposite sex is wild. She was so upset when Alexey (her older brother, 6 years old) didn’t want to swim with her that she cried real crocodile tears and said, “I wouldn’t even look at him! I’d turn away!” When he finally agreed, she sat proudly next to him, keeping a little distance, and announced, “Of course I’m curious to see someone else’s butt, but I wasn’t peeking!”
I try never to lie or make things up when she asks questions. I’d rather say less in child-friendly terms and still tell the truth. For now I’m dodging specifics, but I know I’ll have to explain. I’m thinking about an approach that won’t spark runaway curiosity — like, “Oh, let me try that too!” — and won’t scare her, but will be kind and gentle. For now I talk a lot about how important Mom and Dad are, how much we love each other, and how nice it is that she looks like her dad and how proud he is of that. She also asks funny questions about animals, like, “There was one animal and one… but to have another one — how does that happen?” It makes me smile.
But I’d much rather she ask us than pick up answers from friends outside. I promise to write down what I tell her! 🙂
