When the kid LOUDLY asks about the wheel chair, the hijab or the adult who gurgles.

One of the kids has always been a people watcher and often has questions. Questions asked loudly.I know this problem comes up here often and I thought I would share what has worked for us because it happened again last night.She “whispers” loudly at me “Mom why does she have BIG hair.”We treat her “questions” as statements when this happens. So I turn to see a woman with an amazing gold and copper tipped afro and “whisper” loudly back to my daughter “You are right it is very BEAUTIFUL hair”. I smile at the woman and say “You must get compliments all the time!” Conversation begins.We have used this same technique with nearly all her social faux pas. (Why is he in that?) “Wow that wheelchair goes FAST. I bet he can shop faster than we can!” (Why is that person making noises?) “He must be happy to be at the pool.” “Do you like to swim?”Sometimes I begin a conversation with the person in question, sometimes I just smile, and sometimes I make her begin the conversation. “Mom why is she buying all that yarn” “I don’t know, maybe you should ask her.” Woman regales my daughter with a tale of her future knitting project.She asks socially inappropriate things and sometimes I want the ground to swallow me up. That will improve with time, she is only five. In the mean time I have learned to appreciate that she asks me questions as it has given me opportunities to acknowledge race, disability, religion, cultural difference, mental health etc... I have also appreciated the way people volunteer their perspective when “asked”. “Why yes my wheel chair is fast!” “No my son can’t say words like you but he can smile and laugh and he loves to swim too!”It is okay to acknowledge difference because it tends to reveal how similar we are. We want and need many of the same things and the kid is learning that are many ways to look and act and still get to the same place. Her world is full of variety. via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2afqCdq