Although not a parent, I’ve worked with a lot of kids and have tiny friends in my life. AND I too, like you, remember very well what it was like to be a child. People so often underestimate how easily children can understand things if they presented honestly and at an age appropriate level.

Talk about awareness in kids: I once saw a 6 year old boy, who I knew, watching his neighbor’s dogs play chasings. The two dogs started to have sex and the little boy giggled openly without any shame or embarrassment, then he looked up and me to see how I’d react. When I was totally calm he said, “They’re trying to make babies. My mom doesn’t know I watch them (said like, “don’t tell her LOL), but I’ve seen some dogs try to make babies and they don’t really love each other (said like “It’s okay but it’s not as nice”), but these two dogs really love each other (said with a huge smile).”

Needless to say I was stunned. This kid innately knew several things, two of which were: 1. That his mother might not approve of him watching the the dogs “make babies”. 2. That there is some distinction in sex between two beings that love each other and two that do not.

I was floored, but then I looked back into my own childhood and I realized I saw/knew/felt it all. It was just a matter of how the adults around me responded to what I experienced as truth.

Needless to say I told him that he was very smart to see that the dogs who really loved each other were happier. When I said that, he got such a look of contentment on his dear little face; I thought I would cry. Life is amazing.

Thank you for writing and sharing such powerful thoughts and insights. Just precious.

Hugs to you both,
Robin