However, I think it’s in these moments we could invite our children to question things in a healthy way and sprinkle it with common sense.

Obviously, before having this type of conversation, you may need to consider first how much your child understands the basics of rules and how context is important to consider.

The main point I’m highlighting is that children learn in different ways and one of these ways is by questioning. Maybe as parents we could encourage this free-thinking attitude or lateral thinking once the basic rule concept is understood.

Einstein was a great believer that his successes were driven by his ability to ask questions. Therefore, as parents we may want to support and encourage our children to fully understand black and white rules but to also look at the grey. A school camp contract might be a good place to start.

This little experience made me wonder; do we more often than not, simply wait for opportunities like this to come along, or do we try to take some responsibility to create them?

How might we even try to create opportunities like this to address tricky subjects that some children might be grateful for in the end?

Below are a few examples of how as a parent, you could make a start to take some responsibility in this area.

DELIBERATELY GOING TO A PLACE WHERE HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE

You and your family could possibly go to a place where you know homeless people are gathered. You could buy a hot chocolate for one of them and ask if it’s a good time for all of you to simply sit together for a little while. You could explain how your children/child are curious about their lifestyle and how you don’t want them to grow up ignoring or deliberately avoiding them.

GOING TO A MATERNITY HOSPITAL AND THEN A GRAVESITE

You and your family could possibly make a trip to your local maternity ward and sit in the waiting area to simply observe what happens there as a family. The discussion may be around birth and all that follows. To add to this trip, you may then visit a gravesite of someone you either know or don’t know and simply be together in that space. You could explain about birth and death and how this is all part of life.

A VISIT TO AN OLD AGE HOME

You and your family could possibly make a trip to your local aged care home and ask for a tour around the facility. Your children/child will most probably witness various interactions and may spark a conversation around memory loss or other relevant age-related illnesses.

A VISIT TO A WOMEN’S SHELTER

You and your family could possibly make a trip to your local women’s shelter and ask if you could speak with someone who could explain briefly about what happens there. Your children/child will most probably witness various families coming and going and this may spark a conversation around why they are there. You could use this opportunity to explain and educate how this is one of many places women are welcome to go to if they are around any violent behaviours. You may want to be aware how fathers/uncles may be exempt from this trip.

A VISIT TO A DISABLED YOUTH CENTRE

You and your family could possibly make a trip to your local disabled youth centre and ask if it’s possible to have a tour around the facility. Your children/child will most probably witness various disabled children coming and going and this may spark a conversation around disabilities. You could use this opportunity to explain and educate the variations of normal life and how this might look different for every family.

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