#63 List the Things Your Parents Say They'll Tell You the Answer to When You're Older

I've really had to think about this one. At first nothing sprang to mind but on further reflection I remembered asking my Mum an awkward question when I was about 4 or 5. I may even have been younger than that. We were on a surf camp that my Dad used to organise in North Devon and Mum and I were in the shower block. I spotted what must have been a sanitary product or condom machine and asked what it was for. Her reply? The immortal - "I'll tell you when you're older." At the time I honestly thought I'd hold her to it but I obviously forgot. Until now. And by now, I think I know the answer...

As I couldn't recall anything much I asked both Mum and Dad if they remembered me ever putting them on the spot. Dad thought the very concept was highly amusing. He said, and I quote, "You were not the sort of child who would have been content with being fobbed off with 'I'll tell you when you're older'. No chance." I take that as something of a compliment. My Mum said that I had "an enquiring mind." I take that to mean I was a pestering sort of sprog that probably never shut up.

I did one of those learning style tests recently and discovered that I'm a pragmatist. That means I like to ask questions to help me understand things - I like to know the how, what and why of the thing. So, I can well believe that once I had a question in mind as a kid I would have badgered on until I felt my query had been satisfied from every possible angle. So thanks Mum and Dad for providing me with answers. It either means that I learnt many things earlier than other people, or I was fed a truckload of cobblers and may now be incorrect in believing the earth to flat and the sky to be blue because Winnie The Pooh painted it so.....