Thank God for Google

“Mommy, what’s a soul?”

Jedi is at that tender age where his brain is an absorbent sponge, greedily soaking up every morsel of knowledge it can. What’s scary about this is that the breadth of the information he’s storing comes straight from me, as I’m his preferred go-to person. Though when he must turn to his father, the experience doesn’t fare much better. This responsibility is not taken lightly. I want to make sure I’m answering his questions honestly and correctly to the best of my limited ability. Which means I can’t just make this stuff up.

At 6 years old, most of what he asks is fairly simple. Some, however, hinder me perplexed.

Then, there are those questions that leave me staring slackjawed at the wall, hoping he’ll get distracted by something else and forget it altogether.

“Um, what?”

“What’s a soul?”

“Well… it’s… uh… it’s kind of who you are.”

His eyes began to squint in confusion. I didn’t blame him, I was about to confuse myself.

“You know, it’s… well, like your spirit.”

“Oh… Mommy? What’s a spirit?”

Shit, kid. “Why don’t we just Google it?”

  1. 13 Responses

  2. By jesser on Mar 4, 2010

    That is an excellent answer, and one I’m sure I’ll be borrowing in the not too distant future. Of course there are some questions where that answer would get you into a lot of trouble. ;)

  3. By Becky @TheRealBecks on Mar 4, 2010

    Google. A lifesaver always.

  4. By Stacia on Mar 4, 2010

    And what did moms do before Google?? “Let’s just Britannica it” doesn’t have quite the same ring, you know?
    Stacia´s latest blog post: Stops and Starts

  5. By Amber on Mar 4, 2010

    Google to the rescue!

  6. By Marilyn @ A Lot of Loves on Mar 4, 2010

    Yay for Google! I use it all the time and we haven’t even got to the age where the tough questions come.
    Marilyn @ A Lot of Loves´s latest blog post: Worms and Dirt: Wednesday of Few Words

  7. By Formerly Gracie on Mar 5, 2010

    I guess I should be grateful that my kid still only questions the obvious stuff :-)

    Seriously, what DID moms do before Google?
    Formerly Gracie´s latest blog post: Prince Charming Awaits

  8. By Krystyn on Mar 5, 2010

    I’m glad our questions aren’t too tough, yet, or at least not too tough to give a WAY simplified answer. Most of the time, I respond “because that’s how God made it!”
    Krystyn´s latest blog post: Rock, Rhythm and Rhyme’s Color Songs Review and Giveaway

  9. By Jeanine on Mar 5, 2010

    I’m so glad I stumbled upon your site! It’s great!

    I have a Jedi too!
    I agree with “Formerly Gracie” what did mommys do before google?! :/

  10. By jennifer, playgroups are no place for children on Mar 5, 2010

    Google, can’t live with it and can’t live without it.

  11. By Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama on Mar 6, 2010

    Thank goodness for Google! I have no idea how I’d answer that…it’s not an easy concept to explain! What did Google have to say?
    Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama´s latest blog post: Countdown to Spring

    By C. (Kid Things) on March 6th, 2010

    @Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama, Google’s answers were still confusing, actually. But at least it gave me more to work with.

  12. By Amber on Mar 6, 2010

    Google frequently saves my skin, especially when my daughter asks me about the habits of animals and things like that. I seem to remember my own mother saying, “I don’t really know,” a lot, which is of course acceptable, but I do really appreciate having this magical answer machine at my disposal. Plus, it also comes in handy when my husband and I are arguing about some historical fact, so that I can prove my case.

    (Why, yes, I am always right. Of course.) ;)
    Amber´s latest blog post: Maternity Leave in Maple Ridge

  13. By Natalie at Mommy on Fire on Mar 8, 2010

    Google is in fact a lifesaver…My daughter just asked me the same question – must be in the air.

    Thank you so much for taking the time to wish my beloved Meemo a happy birthday last week, C! I appreciate it so much and she was delighted.
    Natalie at Mommy on Fire´s latest blog post: Pile by Pile

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