Seriously. what do you do when your kid asks you something like that while walking to school?

Well. If you're me, you pause for a LOOOOOOONNNNNGG time while you try to figure out just what exactly your kid is asking. Then you say heck with it and just answer.

 

BEN: How much do babies cost?

MAMA: What? (wondering whether Ben wants us to buy a little brother or sister)

BEN: How much does it cost to have a baby?

MAMA: Uh...

MAMA: It can cost about $6000 to $10,000 to have a baby in the hospital. You have to pay for all the doctors and nurses who help you have a baby. You, of course, cost way more!

BEN: What if you don't have any money?

MAMA: Well, most people have something called insurance that helps pay for health costs. (Yes, I did spend some steps trying to decide whether this was a good time to discuss exactly what insurance is and whether I should go into the current debates. Then I passed. Not enough coffee in the world to take that topic on while walking to school.)

BEN: How much did you have to pay for me?

MAMA: Well, the 2nd time I was in the hospital, when you were born, it cost about $12,000. (It really did. The first time was another $10 or $12. Expensive little bugger.)

BEN: Bet it cost a lot to have Lakshmi.

MAMA: [Brain racheting racheting racheting... what is he talking about?] Who?

BEN: The girl who was born with four arms.

MAMA: Oh.

 

Seriously, that was like a full year ago! And it's not like we watch the news on TV. He probably just saw a picture on my screen when I was reading the news. And it stayed with him! That kid has the most amazing memory.

 

Until, of course, when I tell him to do something. Then he forgets it all in the time it takes me to turn my back.