Crush.

The older children on the street have been talking about crushes, and there had been speculation our big boy had a crush on a friend on the street.

With all that flying around, the husband and I thought it time to have a dinner discussion with the children.

This was the gist of the conversation... 

Q: What does it mean to have a crush on someone?

A: "To love someone and think you might marry them".

Q:  Going by what you all said, do you think a 1, 2, 3 year old can have a crush on someone? (There had been talk even our little lady had a "crush".) 

A: No...

Q: How old do you think it might be old enough to start thinking about getting married? 

A: 20! 16! 17! (big boy, big girl, little man, respectively) 

Q: Great, so... Do you think at 8, 6, and 3 years old (the little man was keen to be involved in the discussion), it's appropriate to be thinking about getting married, or having crushes? 

A: No...

As we chatted, they came up with all the answers. We finally came to a conclusion that this is a time for them to focus on building healthy friendships with everyone, boys and girls alike. It is possible to like and appreciate a person without having a crush on them. 

Phew. What strange and new territory this is, with our children getting info from outside influences ("crush" is not part of our home vocabulary) and navigating their own friendships. 

May we have the awareness to stay on top of things each step of the way, and the wisdom to guide our children as we learn with them.

When the day involves a giant inflatable T-Rex spraying water from its nose, you know it's been a great day.