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Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

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MrsM0829
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Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

I'm very close to my 4 year old niece, who is in the "why" phase right now. Lately, every time I see her, she asks me why I'm not a mommy. I'm not upset with her for asking, she doesn't know any better and just doesn't understand, but it's not a question I really want to try to answer everyday.

I've tried telling her that I don't know why and there are some things that we just can't understand, but that didn't work. LOL I know she'll just keep asking until she gets an answer that satisfies her.

Of course, I don't intend to explain the details of IF to her, but has anyone found a way to answer this type of question to the satisfaction of a toddler?

Posted 5/14/14 10:56 AM
 
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JSDB
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Re: Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

I am so sorry you have to deal with this. I have luckily dodged that bullet so far with my very inquisitive almost-3yo. But, maybe you can tell her that you would like to be a mommy one day but you are waiting for your turn? that should be a concept she might understand

Posted 5/14/14 10:58 AM
 

MrsM0829
... With a cherry on top!!!

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Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

That's a good approach. I'll try to remember that for next time.

Yesterday, she was asking questions. I don't remember exactly what she asked, but I think it was something about whether I wanted to be a mommy and I told her that I'd like to have a baby someday, so she told me that she's my baby. I think my sister and brother-in-law might disagree. LOL

Posted 5/14/14 11:01 AM
 

JSDB
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Re: Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

that is very sweet. you can also tell her that in the meantime while you wait for your turn, she can be your baby and that she will always be your baby even after you become a mommy

Posted 5/14/14 11:04 AM
 

MrsM0829
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Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

Thanks for the ideas! I'll give them a shot!

Posted 5/14/14 11:37 AM
 

Michelle1110
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Re: Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

Posted by secretlyTTCagain

that is very sweet. you can also tell her that in the meantime while you wait for your turn, she can be your baby and that she will always be your baby even after you become a mommy



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Posted 5/14/14 12:56 PM
 

hazel2
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Re: Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

Awww... this is so sweet!

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Posted 5/14/14 1:36 PM
 

MrsM0829
... With a cherry on top!!!

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Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

She is a very sweet kid . . . she's just too darned inquisitive sometimes.

Posted 5/14/14 2:37 PM
 

hazel2
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Re: Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

It's sweet and sad at the same time I'm sure. They def are inquisitive these kids Chat Icon

Posted 5/14/14 3:35 PM
 

PennyCat
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Jib

Re: Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

I don't think there's anything to be gained from explaining (or trying to explain) infertility to a young child. I'd just blow it off with a "maybe one day!" and if her comments bother you, consider your source. She's 4 and doesn't know any better.

Posted 5/14/14 9:52 PM
 

MrsM0829
... With a cherry on top!!!

Member since 11/09

1332 total posts

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Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

I didn't phrase the question as well as I could have. I'm not looking to explain IF to her. I guess a better way of phrasing it would have been if anyone had ideas for how to satisfy a very curious child. Like I said, I'm not upset with her for asking. I was just wondering if anyone had an idea for an age appropriate way to answer her.

Posted 5/14/14 10:40 PM
 

InShock
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Re: Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

Posted by PennyCat

I don't think there's anything to be gained from explaining (or trying to explain) infertility to a young child. I'd just blow it off with a "maybe one day!" and if her comments bother you, consider your source. She's 4 and doesn't know any better.



Agree 100%. I had a young one of my own who wanted a sibling desperately while I was dealing with secondary infertility (for nearly 3 years). I never felt she needed an actual explanation for why she didn't have one. We prayed and prayed, and like all our prayers, we just hoped that God would come through for us. In my case, He eventually did. Chat Icon (granted, if you're not the prayerful type, you'd have to try another route!). Hang in there! Chat Icon

Message edited 5/14/2014 10:41:12 PM.

Posted 5/14/14 10:40 PM
 

spooks
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Sarah

Re: Thoughts on explaining IF to a 4 year old?

Similar to other posters. My son, now 4, was asking for a while too - we just said we hadn't been blessed yet. Now that we are PG - he said - Mommy our prayers were answered! We also kept telling him we'd be sure to let him know when it happened.

Posted 5/15/14 7:30 AM
 
 

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