[blindkid] How to answer questions

[Katie Cochrane]

I agree on the honesty point, and I have one little addition.  I answer honestly, and I only answer the question that is asked.  It can be hard to know how much information to give a little kid, so I just answer what was asked as frankly as possible.  I have two sons, ages 5 and 3.  The 3 year old lost both eyes to cancer when he was a baby, so here is an example of a conversation we have frequently (and the tone is much like he's asking me about anything else normal, like a tree or flower or something).

Can I see? No.
Why? Because you don't have any eyes. Eyes are what people use to see.
Can you see? Yes.  Here are my eyes.  (touch)  You don't have eyes like these, so you can't see.
That's usually enough for the 3 year old.  He doesn't ask any more than that yet.  The 5 year old has more questions.
Why doesn't Matthias have eyes? Because when he was a baby his eyes made him very sick so we had to take them out.
Where did you put them? The doctor took them.
And so on and so forth.  

If they ask more, I answer more with complete honesty.  I let them direct the conversation.  I can't tell you what to do or say; that depends largely on your personal parenting style.  And I'm sure every parent in America would answer these questions a little differently.  Don't worry so much about saying the wrong thing.  I think allowing her to ask questions and have them answered in a loving, positive way is more than fine.  

Take care!
Katie


________________________________
 From: Julie Dabbieri <julietnan at aol.com>
To: "blindkid at nfbnet.org" <blindkid at nfbnet.org> 
Sent: Thursday, February 2, 2012 2:46 PM
Subject: [blindkid] How to answer questions
 
My 4 year old daughter is asking questions  that I don't know how to answer. She told me she needs glasses
Because she doesn't see very well, anihwr to
W
She asked why her sister could see the book and she couldn't. I realize
I need to follow
Her lead. She wants to talk about it, but I don't know how. I am so afraid of saying
The wrong thing.


Sent from my iPhone
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