The most difficult questions to answer

According to a survey, these are the most difficult questions for parents to answer when a child asks:

1. Why do people die?

Probably the most difficult question to answer – it involves concepts of mortality, uncertainty, sometimes religious or philosophical beliefs; hard to make age-appropriate; may bring up parental fears.

2. How was I made? Where did I come from?

This becomes challenging as it involves balancing honesty with age-suitability; dealing with awkwardness; potential for confusion or embarrassment; parental values and beliefs come into play.

3. What does “we can’t afford it” mean?

Economic constraints are one of the harder social-reality questions. It forces a parent to talk about finances, sometimes limitations, and might raise anxiety in a child.

4. Is Santa real?

The truth may conflict with a child’s hopes/joy; because it raises issues of trust (if the myth is revealed)

5. Why can’t I stay up as late as you?

“Because I said so…” is often used in this scenario.