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How do I explain scars when a young child asks about them?

Profile: Akor1
Akor1 on Mar 12, 2017
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It depends. You can be honest if you want to share or you can redirect with a "oh just some scars" and change the subject or if a direct how did it happen question then "I got cut when I was younger" and once again change the subject.
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Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Mar 15, 2017
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I thing that is important to be honest, however, a good explanation would be that the person with the scars has been battling and they have now won their fight or are winning. It is easier than trying to explain the whole concept of self harm, especially if you don't want them to have the idea in their head.
Profile: Izzyisnotgood
Izzyisnotgood on Mar 15, 2017
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I've had to deal with this once at a primary school when picking up a sibling. I just said "well a while ago I made some really bad decisions and I got hurt from it, these are the scars to remind me not to do it again" it's true, but not so detailed it may scare or otherwise influence a child.
Profile: AbbieSnow
AbbieSnow on Mar 15, 2017
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Tell them the truth, mindfully and compassionately in a way the child is most likely to understand. Educate them.
Profile: hollygardnerxo
hollygardnerxo on Apr 5, 2017
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You tell them they are your memories of being strong. Tell them you were upset for a while- that's how the wounds appeared- but then you got happier and stronger and the wounds healed; leaving the scars behind.
Profile: IcarusFalls
IcarusFalls on Apr 8, 2017
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I'm assuming that the child is somehow close to you here. Sometimes it's best to just stay mum about the details of what happened. If it was self-harm, then you could tell them that you were really sad sometimes and you hurt yourself because of it. Then that it wasn't the good thing to do and you regret it and tell them to tell you if they ever feel sad and you'll make them feel better. If the scars were caused by someone hurting you then you could tell them that someone really bad once hurt you and to tell you if someone ever hurts them like that. If it was caused by an accident for example then you could tell them that you got hurt one day by something which wasn't yours or anyone else's fault. Tell them properly about it when they are old enough to understand. I hope that this helps.
Profile: brokenblaze13
brokenblaze13 on Apr 8, 2017
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Explain them as if you are explaining them to somone that is your own age. Most of the time, children are more understanding than older peers. They can understand and show you compassion quite easily.
Profile: Vronica23
Vronica23 on Apr 28, 2017
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I think it's important not to be graphic with young children about scars, especially before talking to their parents about the matter. I know a nice, and honest, response can be "these are battle scars". I've seen people say just that, and it was a response that children are satisfied with. And it's not a lie, because our scars, whether self inflicted, or caused by an accident or other incident, show that we made it out of a situation, maybe a little harmed, and a little different, but alive.
Profile: RememberYouAreNotAlone
RememberYouAreNotAlone on Apr 30, 2017
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Don't be ashamed of them, they are part of your story and show what a strong person you are; tell them that they are proof that you made it through battles but in the end, you won the war
Profile: Asja
Asja on May 3, 2017
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A young child could not understand the real meaning of them, but they see scars in cartoons or movies on people gotten from battles. So, with that, you can explain to them that your scars are from battles you fought with your own, or some "demon" or "a creature" that was haunting you. And you won but you earned couple of scars to remaind you. If a young child contiunes questioning you and you can not find a right answer, just switch the subject to something else.
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