I could have hugged her...

5 yo Shayna was always demanding, throwing temper during my class, angry over small little things... Today, she told me something that made me shock and I am still thinking about her...

"Teacher Esther, do you know I have brothers and sisters? I have 3 of them..." Shayna was chatting with me when I was touching up her artwork.

"I know your gor gor and jie jie (brothers & sisters) are your cousins right!" I replied her confidently.

She continued, "No, they are my real brothers and sisters! My dad doesn't allow me to play with them..."

I was confused because I learnt that Shayna has been a only child in her family and then I asked why.

"You know, We have same mother!" She claimed.

"Ok, of course they are your siblings and you have same mother, what are you talking about?!" I was getting more confused.

"They have the same mother of mine but different dad!" Shayna confirmed.

I was shock to hear what she had told me. A 5yo little girl could explain her family chain with me and she was very sure what was going on. I was thinking whether her parents were right to explain these to her at her tender age, was it too early? Her mentality is so much more mature than any other children. I realized when she explained what was going on, the other children were not interested. Why can't she be as naive as her classmates... Was it because her dad wanted to protect her from her step-siblings and told her the truth about the relationship. Was she confused too?

Should I hug her to console her...  I could have hugged her... She's always an angel to Teacher Esther. Grow up beautifully my dear Shayna.