Growing up is generally the one thing all kids aspire to and reaching the milestones is one of the things parents pay closer attention to as affirmation that our children are doing what they are supposed to be doing.
But what happens if sometimes, as a parent, you are caught out by your child asking a perfectly reasonable question that stops you dead in your tracks? When the question is not one you would expect a just short of 8 year old to ask?
Both our boys have been asking to go back to South Africa to visit family and we have been telling them that we would love to go, but it costs a lot of money and we need to save up for it.
They usually then accept the answer and it can be a few weeks or sometimes months before they ask again. On the last occasion of asking, it was our 8 year old who then asked ‘Well, what are you spending your money on if you are not saving up to go? Are you spending your money on little things when you should be saving up for a big thing?’
To be honest, I was completely taken aback. He wasn’t trying to be cheeky and I was more struck with the fact that the question had a complex answer (I mostly try and answer their questions as honestly as is age appropriate). So I answered with the correct answer of ‘we are saving but it takes time’.
What did strike me more was that our son is growing up faster than my brain can comprehend. We teach our boys about being sensible with their money and ask them the same question he asked me when they are looking to spend it. It would appear that these lessons have stuck.
That’s fantastic, they can be so wise! My daughter is just 8. When I was scared watching her 10yo brother on a fairground ride the other day, she said: ‘Pretend he’s not on it’. How very sensible! Made me wonder who the grown up was!
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted…Schools’ rugby tournament
I think it’s the wiseness that stops me in my tracks Sarah. Your daughter sounds like she is very sensible! x
I often get taken by surprise with my son’s grasp of things and I answer one question and I get asked another. It’s difficult to explain all your decisions sometimes.
Erica Price recently posted…My Seven Year Old Boy
Ah yes…I know that situation very well Erica – I often find being pleased with myself answering a ‘tricky’ question only to be hit with the next one lol!
Kids never cease to amaze me with some of the things they say – things you think a young brain could not compute but it does and you are left wondering how best to answer!
Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault recently posted…One Swallow does not a Summer make …
I like the fact that we can always learn and our children are often a source of that learning – they do have a point at times lol! x
From the mouths of babes they say lol
He could be the most sensible one of us all!
Jollyjillys recently posted…Baby Love
I am hoping that he remains sensible but learns that some times it’s good to let your hair down lol! x
What a very thoughtful question indeed and perfectly reasonable. Why would children think of food and bills and all the boring things! I think that savings pot might just have started! #MagicMoments
Coombemill recently posted…But Lambs Can’t Swim!
Doesn’t food just arrive in the fridge and cupboard and the electricity grows itself from the lights? lol! x
I want to go home too but cant cuz its expensive. But I only have 3 year old boy. This questions they are innocent yet thought provoking aint it? Scary for when they are older what kind of questions are they going to ask. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. #MagicMoments
Merlinda (@pixiedusk) recently posted…First Ice Cream
Where is home Merlinda? x
awww honey i so love this age, they go back to being sponges and take it all in and learn at a rapid rate of knots!
thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments xx
Jaime Oliver recently posted…#52LittleThings Week 16 – Make a Bitesized Change This Easter
Sponges they are and our own parenting behaviour being shown as they see it lol! x
My daughter is 8 too, and some of the questions she ask astound me – because really she often asks things that make me stop in my tracks – and more often that not she makes me learn things!
Family Fever recently posted…The Blogging mums carnival – ‘Favourite things’
I’m trying hard to picture the conversations in say 8 years time lol!!!
Hahha loved reading this. Oh they can be little wiseass’s can’t they! lol #MagicMoments
Super Busy Mum {Debs} recently posted…Am I Bento baby barmy?
Hahaha! without even realising it Debs lol! x
I’m guilty of underestimating my son’s grasp of things. And he ends up amazing and surprising me everyday. I think you recovered superbly! #magicmoments
It can be so surprising how insightful our children can be. He sounds like quite the thinker. #magicmoments
Californian Mum in London recently posted…Mother-Daughter Time
They are amazing aren’t they, they understand a lot more than we give them credit for sometimes. My oldest is nearly eight and asks some tough questions sometimes. Having said that, so does my 5yo!
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…Me and: Cake
It’s incredible some of the things they come out with, they are far more knowledgeable than we give them credit for!
#MagicMoments
Franglaise Mummy recently posted…No screens for all the family