Conversation with a three and a half year old

I found it's hard to tell C about "bad" people. Maybe because in their sweet little world there are none - and cluing them into the sad realities of life is giving up a piece of their innocence.

A few days ago me and him were in the front yard cleaning up the last of the piles of leaves we had raked a few weeks ago. He ventures off the to side of the house, heading for the back yard. I call after him, telling him I don't want him to go where I can't see him.

He comes back to "help" me and I'm off in my own world within a few minutes. Then I hear him chirp "why do you want to see me?". I quickly try to figure our what he is referring to and remember my last comment.

I go on to explain that I don't want him to go get hurt, and that not all strangers are good. Some people are bad and could try to take him away. That would make me so sad....

I thought this was a great time to have this little chat, and ventured into some scenarios for him.

"So, what would you say if someone tried to give you candy and get you to go with them."

He hangs his head, and smugly replies with a sigh,

"thank you."

I guess some of our talks about manners are getting through. We'll have to work a little more on stranger danger at a later date.