Difficult questions: how do I handle them?

It may not seem like it at first, but as soon as your child starts talking, he or she is likely to start asking some tricky questions.

These could be as a result of a divorce, a death in the family, or something that your child has seen on television or the news. In fact, your child picks up on many things around him or her, and the questions he or she asks can be about some very tricky topics indeed.

Your role as a parent is to find out how your child is feeling about whatever it is that has upset him or her, and to offer reassurance. You can explain some of the tricky topics, or you could read books or watch movies that deal with them. Don’t go into too much detail, but try to explain that whatever is upsetting your child is not their fault, and why they shouldn’t worry about it too much.

For instance, in the case of divorce, you might explain that sometimes mummies and daddies fight, but that you both still love your child very very much. If your child asks about war, explain that it happens in some places in the world, but that there are lots of men and women whose job it is to keep you safe.

Try to acknowledge your child’s feelings, while at the same time, answering their questions, and reassuring them that you still love them, and will do your best to make sure that they stay safe, no matter what.