Sharing the News with Children

Mom and child come in. She starts giggling as soon as she sees me. After a quick rub of my belly he went off to play. He did that every morning and mom said she needed to speak to me in private. I left the class in the capable hands of my assistant and we went to a quiet room. It was there that I was informed of the previous night's conversation:

MOM: How was your day?

HIM: Fine.

MOM: Anything interesting happen?

HIM: Yah.

MOM: Care to share?

HIM: Mrs. Carol said there's a baby in her tummy.

MOM: Really? (She already knew so it wasn't a surprise.)

HIM: Yah. That's what she said.

MOM: What do you think about that?

HIM: I dunno. Sounds kinda weird to me.

MOM: Well, stranger things have happened. Do you have any questions about that?

HIM: Yah.

MOM: What?

HIM: How's it gonna get out?

MOM: The doctor will take it out.

HIM: How? Mrs. Carol said you would know since you're a nurse.

MOM: Why don't you think about it a little and then come tell me what you decide.

HIM: Okay. (He then trots off to the patio to think about this huge concept.)

After a short while he comes back to his mom and announces, "Mom. I think I figured it out."

MOM: Oh? What did you figure out? (Hoping he'd moved on to a different topic.)

HIM: How the doctor will get the baby out.

MOM: Oh? Tell me.

HIM: I think they're gonna have to take her head off.

Shortly after the birth of my son I went by to visit and show the kids my baby. I sat on the floor and all the children gathered around to take turns looking at the baby and try to figure out how that little person came out of my body. This one particular child stood slightly behind me. He slowly approached and then put a hand on my shoulder. I smiled at him. He smiled at me. Then, slowly, as if trying to not be noticed, he carefully lifted my hair from my shoulder and inspected my neck.

Carol E Jordan is the mother of 2 children. She has been a preschool teacher for 9 years and has a CDA (Child Development Associate), an Early Childhood Education professional credential.

Copyright © Carol Jordan. Permission to republish granted to Pregnancy.org, LLC.