Where do babies come from? Why is the sky blue?

Where do babies come from? What do fish drink? What do ants eat? Why is the sea salty? Why? Why? But why? But whhhhhhhhhhy?

A third of mums and dads don’t know how to describe how rain is made, whilst 18 per cent get muddled when trying to explain where babies come from.

Like little croutons, children are constantly mopping up the soup of life. It's a joy for any parent to see as they build up knowledge and a vivid interest in the world you brought them in to.

The difficulties however, arise when the inquisitive questions are directed to you, their leader- but your guess is as good as theirs.

A survey of 3,000 mums and dads in the UK reveals that 52 per cent often find it difficult to answer searching questions from their young children leaving four in 10 of use feeling inadequate as parents.

But what do you do when you don't know the answer? Nearly a quarter of parents admit to making something up, whilst another 24 per cent admit they try to distract their child with something else to avoid the question altogether. Sneaky.

The poll was commissioned by Classic Media to mark the launch of Guess with Jess, a brand new children’s television programme that tackles some of the more common science and nature based questions posed by kids- so you don't have to.

It revealed that a third of mums and dads don’t know how to describe how rain is made, whilst 18 per cent get muddled when trying to explain where babies come from. 15 per cent of adults find it awkward to say why girls and boys are different, and a further 15 per cent have no idea what ants eat. Do you?

Other nature based questions which leave parents stumped include what do fish drink? how do bees make honey? and how do spiders build webs? Science questions such as what makes thunder? what makes a rainbow? and how do planes fly in the sky? pose a big challenge to many adults too.

Jennie Lindon, psychologist and consultant to the show, said: “It is worrying to hear that 40 per cent of the parents in the survey felt inadequate to answer their child’s questions. It is exciting when children become really curious about the world around them and ask those searching questions. We want parents to feel confident and part of that discovery.”

Less than half though, are willing to hold their hands up and research for the answer themselves with 26 per cent saying they'd prefer it if their child just asked less questions in the first place. Luckily, 15 per cent said they will take their child to a library if they are particularly interested in a subject, and 12 per cent would buy them a book about the subject so they can learn more.

Jennie Lindon added: “The key is to embrace your child’s curiosity and to coax them towards figuring out some answers for themselves. You can give gentle pointers rather than always providing the answer.This takes the pressure off Mums and Dads to find tricky answers on the spot. But just as important you’re helping your children with the tools for thinking.

“They need to learn for themselves, through exploring and trying out different possible answers and solutions. Guess with Jess obviously can’t answer all the weird and wonderful questions children ask their parents, but it does address intriguing questions about how caterpillars turn into butterflies, why spiders build webs and how puddles disappear.”

Guess With Jess is a brand new children’s television programme on CBeebies at 9.45am on Mondays. Switch on to avoid being put on the spot with questions such as these....

Top 20 questions parents of young children would struggle to answer

1. How does it rain?
2. Where did I come from?
3. How are girls and boys different?
4. What do ants eat?
5. Where does the wind come from?
6. Where does God live?
7. Why is the sea salty?
8. What makes thunder?
9. What makes a rainbow?
10. What do fish drink?
11. Why can’t I remember being born?
12. What is heaven?
13. How do spiders build webs?
14. Why is the sky blue?
15. How does a man get inside the TV?
16. Why do I have to go to bed when it’s not dark?
17. How do bees make honey?
18. Why can planes fly in the sky?
19. How does Father Christmas get down the chimney?
20. How are babies made?