| I often wonder if little kids are so fascinated with | | | | "I thought it was time to introduce him to the |
| the discovery of themselves that they have to | | | | world of tools, like big kids. Together, we picked |
| share all their incredible information with the world. | | | | out a new hammer and screwdriver, and some |
| Perhaps because subjects are so openly discussed | | | | brackets I needed to hang our new drapes. At |
| at home, children feel that it's alright to discuss | | | | the counter, the elderly owner of the store rang |
| private affairs in public. Whatever the reason, kids | | | | up my purchases. About this time, my son |
| often say the funniest things, and what they say | | | | announces at the top of his lungs, 'Daddy's tool is |
| usually involves body functions. | | | | a lot bigger than mine, but he says mine's gonna |
| Because they're darling innocents, that's why. The | | | | grow a lot.' The old gentleman never batted an |
| world hasn't taught them yet that such | | | | eye. He just said 'I sure hope so, sonny.' |
| conversation with total strangers isn't socially | | | | "It was Christmas," said the mother of an |
| appropriate. If Mommy is concerned about a rash | | | | adorable three-year-old daughter. "Of course all |
| on a toddler's pee-pee, why can't that concern be | | | | we were hearing were Christmas carols. My |
| related to the postman, the grocery store clerk, | | | | daughter was just learning about God and Jesus |
| or the neighbors? Little kids just don't | | | | and what Christmas is really all about. When "Silent |
| comprehend the censorship that our society will | | | | Night" came on the radio, my daughter turned to |
| eventually inflict upon them. If it can be said at | | | | me and asked 'Mommy, what's a virgin?' I thought |
| home, why can't it be said in public? Again, | | | | about it for a moment - how to explain virginity |
| toddlers have no concept of personal privacy; | | | | to a little girl? Finally, I said 'A virgin is a young |
| just ask any frazzled mother whose child just has | | | | unmarried woman.' 'Oh,' said my daughter with |
| to go "number two" right this minute! Or so the | | | | wisdom beyond her years, 'then my cousin CeCe |
| child agonizingly informs everyone in the checkout | | | | is a virgin cause she's only sixteen.' From behind |
| lane at Wal-Mart. | | | | the newspaper, my husband snickered and said, 'I |
| If you have ever been in one of these situations, | | | | wouldn't count on it.' From then on, every time I |
| then you will be able to sympathize with the | | | | saw CeCe I couldn't help laughing." |
| following real life stories. And if you are a parent | | | | "Out of the mouth of babes…" Nothing |
| with children too young to speak yet, just you | | | | could be truer. Children will speak their minds, |
| wait, your time will come! | | | | regardless of the social circumstances around |
| "I was breast feeding my little girl when the | | | | them. You spend several months coaxing those |
| doorbell rang. I covered up quickly and answered | | | | first words from your baby and then spend the |
| the door with my child still in my arms. To my | | | | next couple of years telling them to be quiet or |
| dismay, there were two young, very polite young | | | | not to say that. You can't win, so the next best |
| men; Mormon missionaries they were! My | | | | thing you can do is laugh and enjoy your children's' |
| daughter, who's a very friendly child, pulled aside | | | | faux pas. Don't try to tell your toddler to hush; |
| my shirt and gleefully announced 'See Mommy's | | | | that tactic won't work and may even make the |
| boobies!' I'll never forget the look on those nice | | | | situation worse. You'll get a never-ending string of |
| young fellas' faces. I was so embarrassed; I | | | | "Why"? One day, when your toddler is grown and |
| excused myself and shut the door. Glaring at my | | | | bringing home that one true love to meet the |
| daughter, who looked at me with wide, innocent | | | | family, you can be sure that their significant other |
| eyes, I started to laugh. And every time I tell this | | | | will want to hear stories and anecdotes about the |
| story, I still laugh!" | | | | sparkle in their life. Then you can regale them and |
| "I took my four-year-old son to the hardware | | | | entertain with tales of a certain chatty toddler in |
| store with me," one red-faced father recounted. | | | | the line at Wal-Mart. |