Embarrassment No More

By Mary Pagay

To a child, no question is embarassing. By honestly answering questions that you child may have -- ANY question, even questions on the birds and the bees -- is a way to establish a long-lasting bond of trust and friendship between parent and child, one in which the child continues to feel that they can approach the parent with any question or problem, no matter how small or how large. Later on, when that child becomes a teenager, you will be grateful that you established that bond long ago!

Depending on the age of the child, even the most intimate questions can be answered in a "watered-down" version of the truth. Questions on sex are usually what causes parents the most "embarrasment" in answering. But, there should be no embarrasements felt. Afterall, this is just a part of life. A simple explanation employing little birds and eggs can help to introduce the intimate stories of life to a young child. That can then be extrpolated to include the human female and the internal egg.

Children generally ask intimate questions in bits and pieces. Don't tell them the whole story upfront. Let them be the ones to approach you with a question regarding a "piece" of the puzzle that they need answered. Then, again, water that part of the answer done or give a simple anecdote to help them understand ONLY that piece of the puzzle.

Don't quelch a child's embarrasing questions. Remember, YOU are the one that feels the embarrasment, they do NOT intend to make you feel that way. Children LEARN by asking questions. And, depending on how calmly and HONESTLY you answer that question (even if you use a little story to get a simplified point across), your child not only learns about the world around him/her, they also learn that mom and dad can ALWAYS be relied upon to answer any questions and to help with any problems they may face in life, no matter how big or small. What a wonderful opportunity to establish