This weekend we’ve had some tough conversations with our five-year-old. We had to tell her that her friend’s parents no longer live in the same house. Last week they lived together. This week they don’t. Last week her friend lived in one house with two parents and now she lives in two houses with one parent at each house. These things are HARD to digest for someone so young. Its hard to explain. Its tough to watch emotions like fear, sadness, panic and more fear flicker across your child’s face, unspoken concerns she doesn’t have the courage to voice. “Will this happen to me?” “What makes people stay together?” “What will happen to my friend?” “Did she do something wrong?” “Have I done something wrong?” “How do I keep my family together?” Questions no child should ever have to think about or answer. Burdens too heavy for her small shoulders to bear.
And then, after lots of talking and loves and more talking and playing and more talking and loving she goes to sleep. And the next morning asks this question that still blows my mind as to how to respond:
”Mommy, what was I born for?”
Ohhhh, tough conversations there. We have a close family that is now living in 2 houses...our kids, maybe because they are boys??, haven't asked questions as to why Mackenzie's parents live in separate houses. I am ready though with the answer of...your mommmy and daddy will always live in the same house, because with the love of Jesus, we have made that pledge to each other.
ReplyDeleteNow, my kids also weren't born yet when my parents separated and divorced. We have told them that I lived with michelle, DJ, Stacey, Nana and G-Daddy and they don't ask why nana and G=daddy don't live together still. I will tell them when they can understand or they ask.
Oops, should have re-read...we have close family friends...friends I say, not close family!!!
ReplyDelete