Episode 119 Kids and their tough questions

Today, we tackled a tough one. When your kids ask hard questions, the first thought is to deflect and squeeze you way out of the the answer. But that is often the wrong choice. We talked a bit, today, about age appropriate answers and making sure you know what your kids are asking. We have kids in just about every age range between our two families so we feel we have fielded most of the usual kids questions over the years. Give this episode a listen and see if you agree with our approach.Have you heard our episode about staying health during the sick months? Listen to that HERE With the holidays upon us, it is a good time to boost that immune system ahead of the family visits.RecapHonesty at their level is the best answer.Clarifying a child's question is crucial before answering.Children's maturity levels should guide the depth of answers.Parents should aim to be the primary source of information.Kids will hear about sensitive topics from peers, so parents should address them first.Validating children's feelings is essential, especially during loss.Experiencing small losses prepares children for bigger ones.The importance of open communication in families.Personal experiences can help shape how we answer questions.Creating a safe space for children to express their feelings is vital.Let children feel their emotions to cope with loss.Learning to deal with grief early is crucial.Anticipate difficult questions from children.It's okay to admit when you don't know something.Vulnerability can strengthen parent-child relationships.Children often seek reassurance through their questions.Plan discussions for age-appropriate responses.Listening to children's feelings is essential.Parents don't have to be perfect.Open communication fosters trust in families.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Difficult Questions from Kids03:40 Personal Updates and Life Events09:45 The Importance of Honesty in Answers10:11 Understanding Age-Appropriate Responses21:01 Validating Feelings and Discussing Death00:00 Navigating Grief and Loss in Childhood02:56 The Importance of Anticipating Difficult Questions06:11 The Value of Vulnerability in Parenting08:57 Embracing Imperfection as a Parent