So your child’s asked one of those questions that stops you in your tracks. Should you be totally honest, fudge a reply or mutter, ‘Ask dad?’ Here’s how to handle those tricky moments…
By Fiona Gibson
‘Where do babies come from?’
This is one question your child’s almost sure to ask - yet a quarter of us resort to myths such as, ‘Out of Mummy&rsqu
‘Is God real?'
How you talk about God depends largely on your own beliefs.
‘Why don’t I have any friends?'
Try not to respond with a blithe, ‘Of course you do, sweetheart!’ as she simply won’t believe you.
‘Why is that lady so fat?’
Eeek! It’s one of those ‘run for cover’ moments.
‘Will you still love me when the new baby comes?’
Pregnancy triggers a whole raft of questions, which are often signs that your child is worried about th
‘Why did my rabbit have to die?’
Children can develop incredibly close bonds with pets, and you’re likely to face heart-breaking questions when an animal
‘Will Gran get better?’
Questions regarding illness can be incredibly tricky, especially when they lead to talking about death.
‘Why do I have to go to school?’
‘Because it’s the law’ is the quick, trite answer - yet what your child is really saying is, ‘I don&rs
‘Why do people take drugs?’
While it’s tempting to say, ‘Because they’re silly’, the more helpful response is to acknowledge that, in t
‘What the point of studying when there aren’t any jobs?’
It’s understandable that your teen feels despondent when the news appears to be all doom a
‘Can my girlfriend stay over?’
Be guided by your gut feeling here instead of any desire to avoid conflict.
‘Can I have a party when you go out on Saturday night?’
Err on the cautious here.