Explaining Things on Their Level

I've always been in the business of either teaching, technology, or both.

With that in mind, my personal philosophy has been that of openness.  When someone asks a question, I try to avoid shutting them down with a, "You don't need to know that," "It's too complicated too explain," or, "You wouldn't understand."  Nothing is, if you can frame it right. Just take the time and use a little creativity to come up with an answer on the level of your audience.

This is also how I handle parenting.  With two children, one now in the obligatory "Why?" stage and one leaving it and now asking more probing questions, I have my hands full.  About a year ago, I almost had to abandon my philosophy of openness for a really tough question by a girl who was barely four.  Almost.

"Democrats don't lie, do they Mommy?" Karenna asked me, more looking for affirmation than for an answer.  I didn't want her to overgeneralize, even if she was only four.

"That's not true, Bill Clinton got in trouble for a big lie.  Some people think Democrats lost a lot of elections after Bill Clinton's big lie," I answered.

"What did he lie about?" she asked.  Oh-oh, I really stuck my foot in it now... My first thought was to brush it off as complicated.  What would you do?

I waited, then I thought for a second, and pleased with what I came up with, spoke, "He told the worst kind of lie you can tell."

"What kind of lie is that?" she asked.

I replied with confidence, "A lie to try to get yourself out of trouble."