When did your little one really take notice of the world around them?

Lately Amber has been hitting me up with a ton of "adult sized" questions that I sometimes don't have answers for.

Last week, we lost my Mom's last dog. She was older and had alot of ailments, so her death was not surprising. Amber basically grew up with the dog and I didn't think it was fair for her not to get a chance to say goodbye. She died at home and I went to Mom's (with Amber) to say goodbye and bury the dog. Mom wanted to shield her/keep her in the house while I did the deed, but Amber looked out the window to see what I was doing and basically freaked. I told Mom to let her out and let her say goodbye. It was VERY hard for her to understand what we were doing and what happened (even though we tried our best to make it a loving event with flowers, the dogs favorite toys, etc.). For days she's been asking me about why the dog is in the dirt and how come I can't just take her to the vet and make her better? Isn't the dog cold and hungry - why would we leave her out there? She recently came across a picture of STBX's grandmother (who passed this summer). Amber used to go see her all the time at the nursing home. When she died, there was no explanation to her of what happened to Grandma other than "she went to heaven". When she mentions it, she doesn't seem clear in her mind of what "heaven" is. Alot of people may not agree with me about letting her see the dog being buried but I didn't want to lie to her or just let her think the dog simply disappeared.

Something similiar happened the other night. She was rummaging through my photo albumns and came across a ton from the old house. She asked me with a frown on her brow "We used to live there Mommy, right?". I answered her "Yes". Then she proceeded to ask me why we didn't live there anymore and why Daddy and I weren't together. I wasn't expecting it and it took me off guard. I tried to delicately and diplomatically explain it away but she seemed so confused. Then she asked me (since her classmates have had a rash of births in their families) if she was going to have a little brother or sister someday? Wow...it was like Mom overload night and felt very draining...

When did you realize that your little one went from being a baby with basic, happy thoughts to little minds that look deeper into situations than we ever could have possibly imagined?

Re: When did your little one really take notice of the world around them?

That is way to many "big girl"questions for one night! My DD recently turned 3 and I have noticed a big change in her thoughts. I know this doesnt even compare but I have had a really hard time explaining to her that her fish in the tank have died and she has even found one or two floating and the 'why' questions last all day. She also has a lot of questions about her cousins that we used to be very close with and now dont see as often becuase of my sister being difficult. And it is so hard to find a basic way to explain a complex situation to her. I wish I had an answer, but I can only sympathize with you right now! I try to tell the truth as gently as possible as well and think how you handled the dog situation was ok, it is the reality, and I think it is better then lying.