Have you ever wondered why? Sure you have…. We’ve all been there… As kids, we worried our parents and every adult, that we came contact with nearly to death. Children are full of questions and want to know about everything.
Why is the Sky Blue?
What causes clouds?
Will I ever be as old as you?
How come you’re so smart?
If you're so smart, and know everything, then how come you’re not rich?
Okay!!! It’s time to fess up. Last weekend was Easter of 2011. All of my daughters, except one were able to spend Easter enjoying each other’s company and like so many other times in my life, I was reminded how very much I love them and how easy it is for we adults / parents to influence our children in one way or another. One of my grand-sons and two of my grand-daughters were also there.
I was reminded of a question that my three older daughters once asked me. There mother had given birth to their sister in a hospital in Clifton Forge Virginia and their Aunt had bragged that she was older and would get to see their new born sister before them. They were extremely upset.
Their mother was in labor for what seemed forever and the nurses on the floor all knew me by first name. I had walked the floor with the expectant mother for hours and hours. Nurses on all three shifts had watched the expectant mother and me walk up and down the hall counting floor tiles. I made an arrangement to smuggle the girls up to the maternity ward for a look at their little sister. There were rules and there were beautiful, compassionate nurses who really, really cared, and were willing to adjust the rules just slightly.
So the older sisters, all three of them were able to see baby sister first in spite of what their Aunt had been telling them.
Now comes the show stopping, all time greatest question ever asked by three beautiful daughers. “Daddy, I know where mommy carried the baby for nine months, but just where does it come out”??
Whoowh!!!! I think that is probably the day that I started losing my hearing.
I thought for a moment and said “You know that is a really excellent question”. Since, I have never really been present during a birth, I don’t know exactly. When your mommy gets home, lets ask her.
There is really no moral to this cowardly response of mine, but I will make this point.
We should do what ever it takes to prevent anyone from stopping a child’s inquisitiveness.
Why do Children eventually lose their desire to learn? I think because we chastise them for asking all the questions. Don’t do it. Just say ask your mother. No, I’m just kidding. Help them find their answers, you and them will become smarter and better.
Papa Dennis Says “God Bless”
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