Explaining life to a five year old...

My five year old is becoming more aware of things and I feel the need to explain. Very basic explanations at this point.

She was confused-at the end of dance class her friend was waiting to get picked up we waited with her. He mom did come a few minutes later. My daughter turned to her and said "who's that?". What my daughter never realized in the 13 months we know them, is that her friend has two moms. It's usually the other one that takes her back and forth to class, so she had not met her other Mom, but I had on a few occassions. I told her a boy in her class had two Dads (we only know them a month). We'd only been to one birthday party and I don't think she had any clue that one of her good little buddies had two Dads. I told her families come in different forms-mostly Moms and Dads. But there are families where they are just a Mom and kids, just a Dad and kids, grandparents raising kids, families with two moms and families with two Dads and that's all OK. They are all families and they children are loved! She seemed to understand that, but I wouldn't be surprised if questions pop up later this week. Her mind is always thinking.

My older daughter and I were on an adoption website later in the day. She was seeing caucasian families who had adopted Afro American or biracial babies and was surprised that a black child would have white parents. I think she was more fascinated by the idea. It's not something she has experienced (yet) in our small suburban community. We had to have another talk of how there are so many couples and families hoping to adopt, how thrilled they are to have a child and how the color of their skin is not important and that they are a family that loves each other. Being a family, being happy and loving each other are the most important things for a child. I guess it tied into the who family discussion that came up earlier today.

My daughter is naive, unassuming and innocent-which you should be at five. I know she is also bright, so I am sure more questions are to come and knowing her-detailed ones. I better start thinking of how to address them, because I know the questions will get harder! I got through today's round of questioning.