How much information is too much information? And at what age?

Question

I was just trying to discuss Giardia with this friend of my mine. I don't know if you are familiar with it. It is a parasitic infection that you typically get from drinking unfiltered, untreated, unboiled water that is contaminated by fecal matter, usually from pack animals. Mules, horses, you know.

The stream can look perfectly crystalline clear, beautiful cold mountain water. It is dangerous at times, you just never know what is clean, and what is not. Careful discretion is generally the order of the day. I have had this stuff, you do not want it. It takes a couple of weeks sometimes to show up, but oh, when it does. You are home from you camping trip, and then your gut starts gurgling. I won't say any more than that. That is already far more than I said to this 5 yr old young lady, but her mom took issue with it.

We were talking about similar subjects, and I thought it was appropriate to tell her not to just drink out any old stream, it seemed like good advice to me. I mean, you tell her not to cross the street with ought looking both ways, and holding your hand, right. You tell em' not to play with fire. What is wrong with telling a child not to indiscriminately drink out of any old river?

Explain that one to me please. (Sarcasm Admitted)

Scott

Answer 1

I think the 5 yr old was glad you told her. I think the mom was censoring a little much, unless you were like 'grossness this and that' that will give her nightmares, like the pinworm deal.

Answer 2

because kids take things way to far some times,so you have to careful and ask a parent if you can tell there child that

Answer 3

What you have described above is alright for a 5 year old to hear.  Any further than that is unnecessary.  You do not to get graphic in order for a young child to understand.

Answer 4

Sounds ok to me.  Kids need age appropriate truth and I would say that is something I would want my kids to know too - as you say, without all the gory details.

Answer 5

absolutely nothing is wrong with that.. giardia is only one parasite you can get from drinking unfiltered water... that is something that i would advise someone not to do.

Answer 6

Ohhhhhhh.....that mother is uptight! That was VERY wise advice! Children are like sponges. If you tell them something and they understand they will never forget it! I see nothing wrong with what you told this child at all.

My husband is quite an outdoors man. He too contacted Giardia while on a camping trip in college. He said that he was sick for 2 weeks and lost nearly 20 lbs. What went in came out as fast!! He said it was horrible and the cramps unbearable.

You did good!!

Answer 7

I don't see what the big deal is...people who sugar coat everything will end up with ignorant kids...I tell my kids straight up about anything and everything....if the situation comes up or they ask....and my son turned 4 just 2 days ago....I don't get mad or cristicize people for dumbing down their kids.....

You did nothing wrong!

Answer 8

Sounds fine to me. Only thing that would bug me if I was that parent is if my child had an anxiety disorder and would now begin to obsess about harmful substances in water. Ya know?

Answer 9

i think that is fine what you did, I would of appreciated you, if you would of told my children. Blessings! All information is helpful