The questions they ask !!

Jomarie that is an interesting point. Maybe there is a link between over exposure to multi-media and anxiety related issues which seem to be a growing problem in younger generations.

I entirely agree. Modern TV and games have such realistic representations of alternative realities that it is very confusing for children. My DGS once told me with complete authority 'Of course dinosaurs exist Gran. They're just in another country'. I was reminded of this when watching the giant dinosaur programme last night. DGS wouldn't be as amazed as us as he's so familiar with the ones exactly like it on his Cbeebies programmes.

I think this thread is really interesting - perhaps children today find it very confusing about what is and is not real life. After all "in my day" there were only story books and later on (but not until I was 4 or 5) the "pictures" whereas today's youngsters have DVD's TV, films PCs Games etc. from a very early age - it's not really surprising that this question of 'is it real life' is asked by them - more so than their parent's generation let alone their grandparents. I wonder, does this contribute to fantastic imaginations and/or mental health problems in later years? Just wondering.........

My 6 year old DGD often says when she not sure if someone is joking " In real life" as in is this a story or not

On the same subject, my dear friend's daughter (aged 7 at the time) having got into an awful pickle and trouble with school, Brownies, Mum and (estranged) Dad asked me if she could "rewind her life". How sad is that? I explained that that couldn't happen but she could keep a good tape running from now on Didn't work unfortunately but that's another story.

On a melancholic note my little (and only) GS (3.5 years old) opened the door to me yesterday and initially looked happy to see me but then (you could see his mind working) looked over his shoulder to his Mummy and said "It's Granny - why is she here?" Obviously he sees me being there means his Mummy is leaving him - my DD and I are aware of this and I call at odd times to have a cup of tea and a chat with her and play with him to try to alleviate this but the guy is too clever by half. I frequently tell my DD she needs to be three streets ahead of him, not just one !!!