kids questions

[jododo]

Hi everyone.
I'm new.
I'm looking for advice: my 2 year old has started noticing the scars on my arms and asking questions. What can I say?
I still occasionally self harm, and cover up when the cuts are fresh, but I don't feel like I have to hide the old scars. The thing is, I really don't want to expose my son to even the idea of it, especially not at this age.
I'm sure others have been in my position. What did you say?

 

[Criada]

My kids are older and understand a lot more now, but at that age I just said something along the lines of 'Mummy hurt herself a long time ago, but it's better now, it just left some marks'. Children of that age will accept an uncomplicated explaination - usually reassuring them that the marks are from 'a long time ago' and don't hurt now is enough.

 

[explodingboy]

I recall telling my cousin, who was 5-6 possibly at the time, that the scars were from wrestling tigers. End of the day my family all enjoy a good fib.

 

[BeatrixRose]

I'm around children a lot and have really bad scars on my arms (all needing stitches) so they're pretty noticeable. I usually make up little stories for the smaller ones (falling down a tree chasing a squirrel, or fights with sharks) - just because of the fun they have listening to the story. But for older children, about 11 years +,<edit> I ignore them. It's more open nowadays, and although thats good, people can be cruel about it.