Thoughts for the Week:

Children often think that the grown-up world is full of hidden secrets. Pretending about being grown-up can be a way for them to handle their curiosity about adults. Weddings, in particular, are fascinating for children. This is partly because of the ritual, ceremony, and festivities, and also because at one time or another, most children have fantasies about marrying their moms or dads. Encouraging play about weddings can be an important way to help children understand the realities of their relationships to their parents.

Secrets often hold a great appeal for children. One reason is that keeping a secret can give a child a very special feeling of holding something all to oneself. Yet there are some secrets that children should not keep, particularly when those secrets make a child feel uncomfortable. Those are the times when children need a trusting adult to confide in.