My dd turned 3 in September and today we had "the moment"- you know, the one where the kids asks how the baby gets in a Mommy's belly. I am not ready for his question, and will not be for at least another 10 years. So, how do you tactfully dodge this question until then?
This is how it went, dd was asking me to tell a story from my childhhood and she was trying to figure out how she played into it. She has been working on figuring this out lately-about how she was not in existence when I was a kid. At first she thought she was just in my belly when I was a kid, but she was so confused about that, I just told her that no, she was not in my belly and then (after a couple dozen more questions) I told her that she was still with God and not in my belly yet then. So, then she asks how she got in my belly, since my belly does not have a hole in it. I give her a pat little answer like "Mommy and Daddy work together to make the baby". And she says (after a pause) "Do they put the eyes on the baby?" So, I try to give her different versions of basically the same thing, without going into sperm, egg and intercourse.
Part of my dilemma stems from the fact that her father has not been in the picture for a year now, though I think she does remember him. I was really hoping she would be older before I had to explain that one. But with the way she asks questions, I am positive that I will have to either fully explain sex and her Daddy's departure or use massive delay/distraction tactics. I managed to get the conversation to another subject tonight, but I am sure it will resurface very soon, and with mounting curiosity.
What do I say? I am usually matter of fact with her and have no hang-ups about most issues with her, but this one is hard!
Sara
This is how it went, dd was asking me to tell a story from my childhhood and she was trying to figure out how she played into it. She has been working on figuring this out lately-about how she was not in existence when I was a kid. At first she thought she was just in my belly when I was a kid, but she was so confused about that, I just told her that no, she was not in my belly and then (after a couple dozen more questions) I told her that she was still with God and not in my belly yet then. So, then she asks how she got in my belly, since my belly does not have a hole in it. I give her a pat little answer like "Mommy and Daddy work together to make the baby". And she says (after a pause) "Do they put the eyes on the baby?" So, I try to give her different versions of basically the same thing, without going into sperm, egg and intercourse.
Part of my dilemma stems from the fact that her father has not been in the picture for a year now, though I think she does remember him. I was really hoping she would be older before I had to explain that one. But with the way she asks questions, I am positive that I will have to either fully explain sex and her Daddy's departure or use massive delay/distraction tactics. I managed to get the conversation to another subject tonight, but I am sure it will resurface very soon, and with mounting curiosity.
What do I say? I am usually matter of fact with her and have no hang-ups about most issues with her, but this one is hard!
Sara
