There are some things you do not discuss with people when you meet for the first time; politics, religion, sexuality. I’ve heard this unwritten rule when I was a fresh university student. Today, this etiquette does not exist.  Controversial issues seem to be the pie of discussion in family, social, and work circles.  What issues do you avoid when you are meeting someone for the first time? Children do not have this problem, especially the three to seven-year-olds.

In the last 12 months, my preschooler’s vocabulary and curiosity about the world have grown exponentially.  Her interests lie in astrology, science, death, the afterlife, and unicorns. Loves dancing but refuses to learn piano.  Loves music and is only interested in guitar.  

In the last six months, the questions have grown as well and sometimes I do not have the answers to these questions.  Questions, I, myself asked when I was in bible college after my first degree are being repeated from the mind of a five-year-old.

“If God is Jesus and he’s a spirit, how can Jesus be a baby and still have powers?”

“When I get to heaven, I will tell God not to allow centipedes there.  If he is just light, that means it’s day all the time and play all the time in heaven and there is no night? No darkness? Like when I leave my light on in the house? Like my forever flashlight?”

“I cannot wait to die so I can go to heaven, I have the heart of a child, so I will go there and meet you, Mum.  I will miss you when you die.  So, if I do come to heaven, will I come back like Jesus in a baby body again?”

“How does God make our dreams and why isn’t magic real if God is powerful? If he is kind of like magic, why can’t he change the heart of bad people to good, so then everyone is happy?”

“Why do you wake up so early? Is it because you want to watch some movies? You wake up early to work? Your work is writing? That is so cool, is that how we get money?”

“So, these adult meetings that you have, you're their boss? Wait what? You are sometimes the boss but you do not play in the playground? Oh jeez, mum! You need to play games so you are happy!”

“Do you know what I do all day when you are at work, Mum? I think…I think a lot”.  While we enjoy another relaxing Sunday in Samoa, the mind of a child is a maze of endless possibilities.  This is what we need more of today, critical thinkers and those who aren’t afraid to ask questions.

Enid Westerlund is a regular columnist for this newspaper. She is an aviation specialist, business consultant, author and loves teaching children to read on the weekend.