Would You Rather Your Children Know Too Much or Too Lil?

October 14, 2008

There's a whole lot of gray area when it comes to raising kids. It seems most parents fall into that middle ground when it comes to exposing their children to the realities of the world. But if you had to choose one extreme, sheltering your children from everything, or the other, having them thrust into the realities of the world, which would it be?

Photo courtesy of Discovery Health

21 Comments

MissSushi 4 years

I grew up knowing too much, with the experiences of my childhood and my own need for knowledge. I like to keep it somewhat middle ground, tending towards too much. I dont believe in spoiling innocense before it must, it makes for a bitter outlook later in life, but you can generally tell when things need to be explained as they come.

milosmommy 4 years

I don't want him to know so much so early that it ruins his innocence, but I don't want him to be as incredibly naive as my father made me. When I left high school and was on my own I knew nothing of the world and I was embarrassed often about that. I don't want him to have that experience either.

cambrianoelle 4 years

I'm not a parent yet, but when I have kids I'd want them to know a lot about the right things... like things that pertain to health and stuff like that. As an example, I remember being in 4th or 5th grade and already knowing (although I wasn't drinking of course!!!) that eating before drinking alcohol is a must (and the reasons why)!! And I still make sure today that I have something in my stomach before I start drinking.

Punk Glam Queen 4 years

Neither is very good for a child. I grew up knowing too little. Thankfully I have a pretty good head on my shoulders and an inquisitive mind, so I would research (pre-internet we used something called the library) or ask until I got answers. We're trying to raise our daughter somewhere in the middle -- I don't want to ruin her innocence but otoh I don't want her to be so naive that she gets taken advantage of in *any* way. She knows she can discuss *anything* with us, and has. For example, most recently some girls her age (8-9) have started puberty, so she's curious and asks lots of questions. I tell her the truth, no candy coating, and she appreciates the fact that I don't condescend and that she's informed. She still believes in Santa (she knows mom and dad *help* Santa too), fairies, and mermaids and I hope her imaginative side holds out a bit longer!

jessie 4 years

hmmm....not to much.......somewhere in the middle i guess! :) i suppose i would tell my kids what i feel is appropriate to their age....and how i feel they would use that info....i don't want them growing up too fast...they are only little once....they need to have that childhood. but then also...they need to know that not every thing is going to be fun and games....as their maturity grow so will the info.

Pallas Athena 4 years

Neither is really good, but I grew up knowing too little and it has not helped me. I've learned incorrect things from my friends who knew too much, but didn't really know. If a child knows too much atleast the parent will be able to explain things to them and tell them what is right and what is wrong and what should wait.

anniekim 4 years

the use of the word "lil" stacks the deck against it, I guess, is what I mean.

anniekim 4 years

If I could meld the stance of greggie and lickety?--that's where I stand. I don't want my kids to be dangerously naive, but I also do not want to destroy their innocence prematurely. I'm fairly sure that the universe will take care of that. So, definitely not "too much" but surely not "too lil"--too little? well, less, but not too

anniekim 4 years

If I could meld the stance of greggie and lickety?--that's where I stand.I don't want my kids to be dangerously naive, but I also do not want to destroy their innocence prematurely. I'm fairly sure that the universe will take care of that.So, definitely not "too much" but surely not "too lil"--too little? well, less, but not too

ShePirate2010 4 years

this family blows my mind, i pretty much dislike them but not totally, they just irritate me on a few issues...........like how they can live in a family of like 19 and live in a frikkin mansion and still get to go on awesome vacations every year???????? and only one of them works? i live alone with my mother and we havent been on vaca. in 7 yrs even when my dad was alive.....its like have 17 kids and every1 will just hand u stuff....DUMB.....but thats my opinion

techkim 4 years

Too little but add more as the child grow.

LiLRuck44 4 years

I love your pic lickety.

LiLRuck44 4 years

I love your pic lickety.

LiLRuck44 4 years

Neither. Good thing I don't have to choose for real :)

lickety split 4 years

too little! my kids have had to face too much reality; a severely disabled sister, hearing people call her "reta*ded", knowing she will require life long care and that it will fall to them when we're gone. honestly, until you have held a sobbing 4 year old in your arms and apologized that you cannot "fix" their sister, i don't think you can know how that feels. it's a big bad world, put off the ugliness of life as long as possible.

Greggie 4 years

Neither. It's not a choice I should have to make, they should know the right amount. And jessielynn, I disagree that it would make most other parents/kids comfortable.

Greggie 4 years

Neither. It's not a choice I should have to make, they should know the right amount. And jessielynn, I disagree that it would make most other parents/kids comfortable.

jessielynn657 4 years

This is a reason that factors in when i say i dont want kids. if i had a child i would tell them everything i possibly could from day one. my parents kept too much away from me and when the internet was introduced in my teen years i did all the research for myself. it really put me off that they never told me about the negatives in the world or even some great things (like charities and organizations). my kid would be the one in school talking about ridiculous 'grown up' things that would make people uncomfortable, but honestly i would love it. i love when people hate me for speaking the truth, even if it is 'out of my league'.

Mommy of Three 4 years

I think a good balance of just the right amount at an age appropriate level. No reason to go to extremes in either direction.

Brendelwoman 4 years

Either extreme isn't good. It's probably going to depend on the temperament of the kid as well. Some can handle a lot of stuff while others need to a little more protection.

PinkUnicorn 4 years

I would prefer to tell my kids just the right amount of things that is appropriate for their age level: not too much, but certainly not too little!

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21 Comments