How To Deal With Kids Who Ask Embarrassing Questions – In Public

Everybody loves kids’ inquisitive natures.

Until they ask something embarrassing. In public. Loudly.

I remember one time, when my son was only 2 years old. We were at the supermarket, when I spotted someone I used to go to school with – we didn’t know each other that well so we just politely nodded at each other. He sported a thick beard and wore leather sandals. Nothing out of the ordinary… or so I thought.

When he was but a couple of steps away from us, my curious toddler blurted out, “Mum, was that Jesus Christ?”

I turned redder than the tomato I was holding.

So, how do you deal with young kids asking embarrassing questions in public? Reddit user theephemeralme has the brilliant-est idea ever.

She shares that she has the same “problem” with her people-watcher child. One time, she pointed to a woman with gold and copper-tipped afro hair and said, “Why does she have big hair?”

Instead of politely apologising and turning tomato-red (like someone you know…), the awesome mum answered back loudly, “You are right – it is very beautiful hair!” She then smiled at the woman and said, “You must get compliments all the time!”

Following her example, you (and I) now know how to answer potentially awkward questions like these:

“Why is he in that wheelchair?”

Answer: “I’m not sure but I bet it goes really fast!”

“That man is so big!”

Answer: “Isn’t it neat how we come in different shapes and sizes?”

Or you can always go with the classic, “I don’t know; would you like to politely ask her?”

And if you are stumped, you can always take your cue from Daniel Tiger and say, “In some ways we are different, but in so many ways, we are the same!”

So when your child points out the elephant in the room, instead of willing the ground to swallow you whole, you can acknowledge it and make way for a good conversation.