I admit that the constant-questioning phase of my kids’ preschool years felt alternately joyful and exhausting. I loved the insight into how their brains were developing and appreciated that their awareness of the world was growing. But, sometimes, I desperately craved a moment of silence. Or the ability to listen to the radio without constant intrusions, such as “What does Taylor Swift mean when she says, ‘I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream?’”
At 6 and 9 years old, they still ask a lot of questions, and they’re getting more difficult: the technically challenging ones, the unanswerable wonderings, the emotionally charged inquiries. Kelley Kitley, a psychotherapist, TEDx speaker and mother of four children aged six to 12, told FamilyMinded that straightforwardness and reliability starts with the parent.
“I want my kids to know they can get the truth from me and that we can have honest conversations,” she said. “Kids get so many mixed messages and information from unreliable sources. If they ever feel confused or want more in-depth information, they know they can come to my husband and me without judgment.”
So, in the spirit of honesty, reducing shame and stigma, and respecting developing minds, here’s a look at some of the most difficult questions kids ask and how you might respond.