Yikes! The questions are coming! From changing bodies, where babies come from, sex, death, divorce and many others, children have an uncanny tendency to ask the most difficult questions at the most inopportune times. While answering these questions can be a struggle, as parents we certainly want to be sure we create a comfortable environment for our children to talk.

It is important to remember that there are no “right” answers to most difficult questions. That said, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind when responding to your child.

• Listen to what your child is really asking: You can ask clarifying questions such as “What do you think? Or “What have you heard/do you know about that?”

• Less is more: The temptation is to go into lengthy, detailed responses making sure you don’t leave out any crucial information. Overall, it is much better to stick to the facts and give short answers that really address the specific question.

• It is OK not to answer immediately: If you can’t respond because you are, for example, in the grocery store, or just not ready at that moment, it is fine to say, “That is a really good question. Let me think about the best way to answer and get back to you.”

• Be clear about your own feelings: Be very careful not to impose your feelings about a situation onto your child. For example say, “How do you feel… rather than I know this is scary.”

Often these questions come at unexpected times. It is a good idea to think about how you might want to broach some of sensitive topics so you are not caught completely unawares! And remember – nothing is set in stone. Conversations can, and should be, re-visited.

By Hannah Wiltshire, Everyday Parenting