The following conversation is based on true events. Any character's resemblance to someone in my family is an unfortunate coincidence!
The cast of characters consists of a mom and a dad who pride themselves on being wise and up-front when answering their children's questions, a 4 year-old daughter who is often willful and precocious and who consistently scares her parents with the depth of her curiosity, and a grandma who, being the wise matriarch of the family, is often called upon for counsel and who often evades her position in the family by feigning ignorance.
The conversation:
The daughter innocently asks: "How does a baby get into a mommy's tummy?"
The mom answers: "When a mommy and daddy love each other, God gives them a baby."
The daughter persists: "But how does the baby get into the mommy's tummy, does He send it in the mail?"
The mom tries again: "Well, God makes the baby and then He puts it into the mommy's tummy so it can be safe and warm and grow."
The daughter just won't stop: "But mommy, how does He put it into the mommy's tummy?"
The mom makes an attempt to evade her responsibility: "Grandma, maybe you would like to help me answer this question?"
The grandma says in a matter of fact tone while disguising a smile: "I don't remember anything about this subject."
The mom hands the baton: "OK, Daddy this one is yours!"
The dad: Honey, God made mommies to have babies in their tummies and He helps the babies to get inside so they can grow."
The daughter in an exasperated tone: "But daddy, how does the baby get into the mommy's tummy?"
The dad: "Honey, we will talk about this when we get home!"
The mom, the dad and the grandma, upon returning home, began a careful campaign of not mentioning the words baby or tummy under any circumstances. Two weeks have passed and all is well. So far, so good...
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