What is the most insightful thing a small child has said to you?

LittleLunarMouse

Hi ladies! Long time lurker coming out of the shadows, just to ask a fun question!

We all know that kids say the darnedest things, but sometimes they say things so insightful it can leave me a little speechless.

So what is something a young child has said to you that made you stop and think?

I have two:
When my cousin Sara was 4 years old, she asked her Mom and Grandma, "mama, if God can see us, but we can't see God, can God see himself?" Our family is not particularly religious but its still an existential question that makes one stop and think, regardless! And from a 4 year old!

The second, and my personal favorite, happened when I was 20 and working at a pre-school in the 4-5 YO class. I was sitting down to lunch with the kids when 5 year old Ellie turns to me out of the blue and says "Miss Aimee, you know what?"
"What Ellie?"
"When we die, we go to sleep. And when we wake up, were babies again."
I basically jaw-dropped as this 5 year old essentially explained reincarnation to me. I asked where she heard that from and she shrugged and said "I just know it" and went back to chatting with her friend like nothing happened. I know the chances are very high that she overheard a parent or something talking about the subject, but it still shocked me that she retained the information well enough to explain it properly.

So what about you ladies! Any interesting stories to tell?

lifeonthehill

I have a few things from working in a daycare for so many years.

A few weeks after my father commited suicide a four year old caught me tearing up in the bathroom. He didn't say anything and just wanted to play doctor. I went to lay in the play house while he gathered a few friends. They all started doctoring my eyes, chest and upper stomach. When I asked what happened to me he said " You have a broken heart just like me when Papy died. We are making you open so that you can breathe again. If you breathe your heart wont want to explode." Hit me pretty hard that he could take an experience he had over a year ago and apply it to me that day.

Another on that was just plain sad was a few weeks ago a 4 year old girl was watching Disney's Brave with me. She brought up Merida not having a prince and I happily explained that not every girl wants or needs a prince some just want to be themselves and do what makes them happy. Her response was "She is just too ugly for a prince. No boy wants her ugly hair and she isn't tall like Belle either." I litteraly put my face in my hands took a deep breath tried again to no avail.

theholmanherd

Mine is kind of sad, but my mom died 3 years ago under tragic circumstances. About 2 years ago, I was at my aunt's house and my cousin (9 at the time) was very open about talking about her, but I wasn't there yet. I just kept brushing off what she was saying and she finally stopped and asked me, "you have a hard time thinking about your mom, huh? I noticed you never talk about her, you just listen to other people's stories." It might not seem like much, but I was shocked that she noticed, especially since no one else seemed to. She's such a sweet kid.

DaBearsFansWife

@theholmanherd‌ That broke my heart!

LittleLunarMouse

I'm always blown away by how much they perceive and understand. I think we don't give them nearly enough credit most of the time.

And my condolences to both of you ladies. My father also committed suicide, leaving us both suddenly and tragically. Hardest thing I've ever had to cope with, so I understand *internet hugs*

Monotonetwo

I am not religious in the least I would say spiritual. My son had barely started talking when he said God touched him. I freaked and automatically asked "what did God look like and where did He touch you?" He shrugged and pointed to his shoulder/neck area and went back to playing. Kind of freaked me out. 2 weeks later he said he saw an angel on the woodpile. We haven't heard anything else about God or angels except recently he said he was going to make this baby in my belly a devil child too haha