4 Embarrassing Questions Your Kids Will Ask You

Children’s curiosity is their tool for discovering and exploring the world through their own eyes and individual experiences. With each one of their questions they’re seeking to define concepts, beliefs and a personal vision of reality.

That’s why it’s so important for you to know how to answer all their “embarrassing” questions. They build their perception of the world in accordance with your reactions and your answers.

You need to see these concerns as the first evidence of their growing intellect, and of their cognitive development. A child who asks questions is a child who is aware of what is happening around him.

Answering embarrassing questions isn’t as difficult as it seems

1. How did the baby get into your tummy?

When you’re the mother of several children and the time arrives to let them know that they’ll be getting another sibling, you’re bound to get asked a question like this.

Whenever you do, don’t look uncomfortable, and that way your children won’t be either. Tell the truth in a simple way, and explain that you’ll tell them more when the time is right.

2. Why do adults have more developed body parts?

It’s quite normal for boys to compare themselves to their father in this way. Don’t be worried, it’s quite normal and natural. If your child asks you embarrassing questions like this, it’s enough to tell them that, over time, their body will change too. Explain that all the organs in their body develop and grow, month by month and year by year.

3. Asking an overweight woman if she’s pregnant

Without a doubt, if children ask these questions out loud it will be extremely embarrassing for you! But you must remember that children haven’t developed the social criteria that we adults see as correct. Take advantage of the situation to talk about respect for differences, discretion and prudence.

4. When seeing a woman or man with wrinkles and white hair: why does that happen?

In these cases, we need to talk to them about growth, and that all people age and their bodies change. Explain that, with the passage of time, our bodies age and look different.

You should also take advantage of these questions to explain that they should have respect and consideration for the elderly. By answering this question, you’re also giving them a life lesson they’ll always remember.

How to answer your child’s embarrassing questions

• Just relax. You should realize that when a child asks these questions he isn’t judging or meaning anything bad by them. He’s just asking them out of a thirst for knowledge. It’s we as adults who often see more than there really is in their questions.
• Discretion. As and when these situations occur, show your children that there are some questions that are best asked privately. Privacy is a concept that is taught by example; children don’t naturally know how to use it, it must be taught to them.
• Encourage and stimulate their curiosity. These questions are a sign of intelligence. That’s why you can’t tell your child off for asking them. You are the adult and you must accept that they need an answer. Answer them confidently, and you’ll help your children want to know more.

• Adjust your answers to the children’s age. There are issues that you should address differently, and with a different amount of information, depending on their age. As time goes by, the information can get more specific.
• Keep the communication channels open. Don’t evade or avoid their questions, nor should you tell them off for asking them. Communication is the key to healthy relationships between parents and their children.
• Use examples to help them understand better. If you take the time to answer your children’s questions, they’ll feel important and valuable. You can use everyday examples, books or well-chosen videos to facilitate the process.
• Be gentle and courteous. When addressing other people, you should always do it with respect. Take advantage of the conversations you have with your children to teach them good manners from a young age.

Parents are responsible for giving their children all the answers they’re looking for. Other channels, such as television, the internet or friends can give them wrong or highly inappropriate information. 

All the embarrassing questions that come into their heads are quite natural. Don’t be embarrassed when they ask you certain things. You should see it as something positive, and enjoy the fact that they trust you enough to ask you.