I often wonder if little kids are so fascinated with the discovery of themselves that they have to share all their incredible information with the world. Perhaps because subjects are so openly discussed at home, children feel that it's alright to discuss private affairs in public. Whatever the reason, kids often say the funniest things, and what they say usually involves body functions.
Because they're darling innocents, that's why. The world hasn't taught them yet that such conversation with total strangers isn't socially appropriate. If Mommy is concerned about a rash on a toddler's pee-pee, why can't that concern be related to the postman, the grocery store clerk, or the neighbors? Little kids just don't comprehend the censorship that our society will eventually inflict upon them. If it can be said at home, why can't it be said in public? Again, toddlers have no concept of personal privacy; just ask any frazzled mother whose child just has to go "number two" right this minute! Or so the child agonizingly informs everyone in the checkout lane at Wal-Mart.
If you have ever been in one of these situations, then you will be able to sympathize with the following real life stories. And if you are a parent with children too young to speak yet, just you wait, your time will come!
"I was breast feeding my little girl when the doorbell rang. I covered up quickly and answered the door with my child still in my arms. To my dismay, there were two young, very polite young men; Mormon missionaries they were! My daughter, who's a very friendly child, pulled aside my shirt and gleefully announced 'See Mommy's boobies!' I'll never forget the look on those nice young fellas' faces. I was so embarrassed; I excused myself and shut the door. Glaring at my daughter, who looked at me with wide, innocent eyes, I started to laugh. And every time I tell this story, I still laugh!"
"I took my four-year-old son to the hardware store with me," one red-faced father recounted. "I thought it was time to introduce him to the world of tools, like big kids. Together, we picked out a new hammer and screwdriver, and some brackets I needed to hang our new drapes. At the counter, the elderly owner of the store rang up my purchases. About this time, my son announces at the top of his lungs, 'Daddy's tool is a lot bigger than mine, but he says mine's gonna grow a lot.' The old gentleman never batted an eye. He just said 'I sure hope so, sonny.'
"It was Christmas," said the mother of an adorable three-year-old daughter. "Of course all we were hearing were Christmas carols. My daughter was just learning about God and Jesus and what Christmas is really all about. When "Silent Night" came on the radio, my daughter turned to me and asked 'Mommy, what's a virgin?' I thought about it for a moment - how to explain virginity to a little girl? Finally, I said 'A virgin is a young unmarried woman.' 'Oh,' said my daughter with wisdom beyond her years, 'then my cousin CeCe is a virgin cause she's only sixteen.' From behind the newspaper, my husband snickered and said, 'I wouldn't count on it.' From then on, every time I saw CeCe I couldn't help laughing."
"Out of the mouth of babes…" Nothing could be truer. Children will speak their minds, regardless of the social circumstances around them. You spend several months coaxing those first words from your baby and then spend the next couple of years telling them to be quiet or not to say that. You can't win, so the next best thing you can do is laugh and enjoy your children's' faux pas. Don't try to tell your toddler to hush; that tactic won't work and may even make the situation worse. You'll get a never-ending string of "Why"? One day, when your toddler is grown and bringing home that one true love to meet the family, you can be sure that their significant other will want to hear stories and anecdotes about the sparkle in their life. Then you can regale them and entertain with tales of a certain chatty toddler in the line at Wal-Mart.
Learn more about activity preschool education at http://www.squidoo.com/preschooleducation
Saturday, April 26, 2008
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