Eight Year Old Gets It

[Erinome]

Not creepy at all. I get what you're saying completely. It makes them ask more questions if you talk to them on that level, and it also gives them more confidence.

[festive1]

My approach has always been to treat them as though they were somewhat older then their actual age, if you see what I mean, instead of talking down to them. I feel it gives them a sense of feeling a little more grown-up and not as babyish as might otherwise be the case. Obviously, I'd never treat them in any way that wasn't age-appropriate, and I realise how unintentionally creepy that looks in plain text, but in mmy experience it seems to work. I'd hate to think it was forcing them to grow up but maybe it gives them some sense of direction?

On the contrary, in my opinion, I feel this is the best way to handle kids. They understand a lot more than what they are typically given credit for. Sure, with my two I have resorted to the "because I said so", and "I'm the parent" lines, but that normally falls into why they have to go to bed ;-P But when it comes to them questioning the world around them, I try to answer their questions as honestly and accurately as I can. Google and YouTube can often provide handy tools for things I'm having difficulty explaining on an elementary level. As a result, my 6 year old loves Steven Hawking's Guide to the Universe! The constant questions can be grating, but knowing that the payoff will be well informed, curious minds makes it all worth while.