How do you explain scars to a child?

Acephalous · 17-03-2008, 12:55 AM

My mother has run a homebased childcare business for 14yrs.
So 5 days a week we have around half a dozen children with us.
A few times i have been asked about the 'marks' on my arms and i never really know how to respond.
On the few times that i have responded and not pretended i didnt hear them, the excuses were the following..
I had a pen fight with a friend and got a bit messy (<---I know!...but i was trying to improvise at a low level)

The second was that they were marks from operations...the children know i have a medical condition that requires operations, but that question was followed with a 'why are they just on your arms'

So i figured i would ask for some imaginative suggestions lol...get some SI related creativity flowing....

TruConfessions · 17-03-2008, 01:14 AM

you can use the Fun Excuses {link} Might help you.

sweet_pain · 17-03-2008, 01:50 AM

I coach gymnastics, so I'm there for you on this one.
It all depends on their age though. 3 and under just say that you got a "bou-bou" or an "owie", or whatever other name you call injuries. 4-6 say that your friends kitty got mad at you. 7 and over you can say that you had an accident. There are tones of different hings you can say. Kids are more likely to believe thins because they have no reason to dis-trust you. You can even just make a joke out of it. Be like Oh, you mean the rainbow? Isn;t it pretty, all shiny and sparkly! They'll be so confused they'll just walk away:P

Hope it works out for you:)

timber_wolf · 17-03-2008, 02:22 AM

My sister is really young, she asked me about my scars (which were red at the time) I told her that I was bored so I played with a red marker. She believed me. Hope it helps. :D

Accidentally Abstract · 17-03-2008, 03:46 AM

I hate that, it makes me feel really uneasy.
If I go somewhere where I know there'll be kids, I generally try & hide them.
Otherwise I kinda, either shy away from it or just tell them it was a cat & run off.. Or something.
I hate it though.. >.<

craola · 17-03-2008, 09:22 AM

I used to go to school with my mum and then I kept them hidden but we have a close family friend and shes seem my arm, she is 6 and I have a lot of scars, we just told her I fell over and shes fine with that, she asks questions and we just answer them the best we can.

[peanut] · 17-03-2008, 11:24 AM

Hello,
Well when i get asked about them I sometimes say i slipped in some barbed wired or if someone refers to my arms then u could say a cat used you as a scratching post.

Hope u are well xoxo

Acephalous · 17-03-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweet_pain

I coach gymnastics, so I'm there for you on this one.
It all depends on their age though. 3 and under just say that you got a "bou-bou" or an "owie", or whatever other name you call injuries. 4-6 say that your friends kitty got mad at you. 7 and over you can say that you had an accident. There are tones of different hings you can say. Kids are more likely to believe thins because they have no reason to dis-trust you. You can even just make a joke out of it. Be like Oh, you mean the rainbow? Isn;t it pretty, all shiny and sparkly! They'll be so confused they'll just walk away:P

Hope it works out for you:)

I have used all of these but two of out children - both aged 8 are G&T (meaning they are in the 'gifted and talented' class)...they are no fools

But at the moment im using the cat one since or kittne is nuts - she runs into walls and attacks peoples feet constantly.

*Scarlett* · 17-03-2008, 02:58 PM

I babysit for 3 children aged 10, 4 and 8 months. The only one to notice marks was the 4 year old and i just told him it was a scrape and he was satisfied. If the old one ever asked i would tell her my cat is vicious which is sort of true.

tamobhuuta · 17-03-2008, 07:18 PM

i said i was very clumsy and got them from banging into other things. that was pretty believable because they had a week in which to see that i really was very clumsy while we were on holiday!

Samz · 17-03-2008, 10:45 PM

i did some work experience at a playgroup in the middle of summer when it was boilinggg hot. i tryed to keep them covered but when you're playing with sand, water etc it was sometimes difficult. i used to just say 'i had an accident'... i sometimes got 'why?' or something, but i generally just tryed to steer them away from it.
i get it a lot from kids that come into work too, but there parents usually tell them not to ask questions =/

kedders · 17-03-2008, 10:58 PM

i did a lot of work with some 7 yr olds recently and a couple asked so i said that they should 'never pet a hedgehog, as they have terrible tempers and could end up cutting you with spines'
you would never tell tha im a drama student... lol. hope it works out.
elcy x x