Writing from the Inside
De Paul University
Fall 1990
Teacher: Zoe Keithley
The Big Lie
Here we are driving to nursery school. I am on my way to work, and Jen is looking forward to her day in nursery school. Suddenly out of the blue Jen says, “You know mom, I think you lied to me”.
“I did? About what?” As I searched my brain – I thought that I was very honest with my 3-year-old daughter.
“About a baby being in the mother’s stomach. I don’t believe that”. She says knowing somehow that she is right.
“You are right Jen; the baby is actually in the mother’s uterus”. I say hoping things will be ok now.
“I thought so, it had to be some other place because if that baby was in the mother’s stomach the baby would choke when the mother drinks pop or eats food?” She says with utter surety.
“Oh my God Jen, I didn’t mean to lie to you. I have just always heard moms say that to their very young kids because it is a complex thing to understand. I had planned to tell you about the uterus when you got older”. I say hoping she will now believe me; hoping I hadn’t totally eroded the trust of my 3-year-old.
“Its ok mom, but I thought that I was right. I thought about it a lot. You don’t need to lie to me anymore”. She says with forgiveness.
“Jen, I will never try to cover up a complex issue with you again”. I say with amazement that a 3-year-old would put so much thought into what is told to her. I will try not to underestimate her again.