For Children, Nothing Is Out of the Question

After many of my friends were pregnant, my daughter would ask anyone with a bigger belly if they had a baby in their bellies — man or woman.

Source: Flickr user Angie Garrett

My daughter went through a phase where she was totally intrigued by death — and so I explained to her that sometimes people get old and die. Not too long after, she proceeded to ask a nice older woman at the store if she was dead.

Source: Flickr user David Amsler

My daughter once asked a lady decked out in leopard print at Target if she was dressed up as a cat for Halloween. It wasn't even October. And no, she wasn't.

Source: Flickr user Matthew Kenwrick

When this one happened, the nice lady did not understand the question (hopefully it's because she didn't really hear it) and I scrambled to cover it up by saying, "Oh, she just was wondering if you love the pool . . . "

Source: Flickr user Amelia Wells

Yes, I taught my child the dangers of smoking (perhaps a bit early). No, I did not realize she would then question why anyone would smoke, but especially those actually in the act of smoking.

Source: Flickr user LawPrieR

This is a common one; kids are pretty in tune to others' hair, and when it's not there, well, they want to know why not.

Source: Flickr user Adrian Scottow

One time when I was at the store, a child in line in front of me loudly proclaimed "someone farted" (someone did, it stunk) and then asked everyone in line, "Who did it? You hafta say excuse me!"

Source: Flickr user Lance Shields (aka Juria Yoshikawa in SL)

You never realize how many people walk this earth who look a whole lot like Santa until you have a curious child.

Source: Flickr user Gareth Williams

To kids, it's a simple equation: brush your teeth and they stay clean. Having not experienced the staining that life can leave on a smile, "Why are your teeth dirty?" is actually a common question from children. My niece even went so far as to ask my mom (sorry Mom) if she ate poop.

Source: Flickr user Rupert Taylor-Price

Black, white, brown, blue, tan? I've heard it all. To most kids, color of skin is just that, color of skin. They're curious about the differences in the way people look, and they're not afraid to ask.

Source: Fllickr user Kinshuk Sunil

To a kid, eye patch equals pirate. But wait, Mom says pirates aren't real. Enter question.

Source: Flickr user ORBIS EMEA Saving Sight Worldwide

A friendly child who's newly learned her mom's phone number and address just loves to share.

Source: Flickr user U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District

There was a point when my daughter was obsessed with other adults' family status and would immediately ask a childless man, woman, or couple: "Where are your kids?"

Source: Flickr user Garry Knight

Scar, birthmark, mole, tattoo, piercing, sunburn, church ashes, cast, bandage . . .

Source: Flickr user Laura Lewis