Sunday, February 03, 2008

Mommy's Answers to Life's Questions

Or rather, my crude attempt at answering the questions of a three and 1/2 year old. LOL

Tonight, as I was putting the girls to bed, we had quite a profound conversation, which taught me a little more about my daughters and their innate abilty to understand their surroundings, others in their life, and others' belief systems. While we have taught our children a specific belief system, I applaud and welcome learning about other belief systems. It helps the girls to see the larger world, while also encouraging them to accept diversity. Growing up with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency will already provide the girls with a different life vantage. I hope to cultivate diplomacy and understanding in them as well.

I don't have a set plan for sharing information with them. Rather I try to use simple, everyday interactions as opportunities for learning, sharing, and explaining. With that said, here is one of those simple conversations, which also helps to remind me of life's simplicities.

"Mommy, wook at my finger. My owie hurts."

"Oh Meghan, I think it is getting better."

"It is not wed (red) anymore, Mama."

"That's right! It has a scab on it now. Your body is working hard at putting your owie back together. Our bodies are really good at fixing themselves."

"Why my body do that Mama?"

"Because God made us that way, Meghan. Isn't that so special that we can fix our own owies?"

Meghan responded, "Jesus is God, Mama."

"You're kind of right Meghan. God is Jesus' father. Jesus is God's son. They are family like we are."

Why I decided to add this statement, I'm not quite certain except that it was a very girly moment. Children are so completely "black and white" and are often confused by shades of gray until they get older. "Did you know that some people believe God is a woman?"

At this point, Grace joined the conversation. "Some people call God mother nature, Mommy."

As I was suddenly shocked at Grace's ability to see one of those shades of gray, I responded, "You're right Grace. Some people call Him that."

Meghan's thoughts returned to the cut on her finger, "My owie is gettin' betta, Mama."

"Yes. Yes, it is Meghan. Now, let's sing our goodnight songs girls."

"Okay Mama."

1 comment:

Lindy said...

Your girls are just sooo sweet! Hug those cuties for me Jen!