Is anyone else out there sick of answering questions posed by their pre-schooler? I have to admit I am, especially when the same question has been asked and answered more than once in the last 10 minutes. I read on someone's blog awhile back that one should endeavor to answer every question that their child asked. At first I thought this a noble idea, but now I know it is just down right impossible. I'm all for fostering my child's curiosity and imagination but I wonder if the author was thinking about questions asked out of context or questioning "why" when asked to pick up their room.
For example the other day while driving to the park for a play date HT pointed out the window and asked: "What's dat way Mama?"
"That's north."
"Which way are we going?"
"East"
"What do east do?"
"It doesn't do anything it's the direction we are going."
"Why?"
"So we can get to the park."
"Why?"
"So we can play with our friends."
"Why?"
"Don't you want to play with your friends?"
"Uh-huh."
Finally in exasperation and slightly irritated I asked, "Then why are you asking me why?"
"But Mama, its my job!"
Man you hit the nail on the head with this one -- their questions are relentless! I find answering a question with a question sometimes works!
ReplyDeleteThat is just too cute. My firstborn would say "but why are we going east so we can get to the park so we can play with our friends because I want to play with my friends?" It is a miracle I survived that stage. Ha!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be quoting this little story for a while. ;)
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel!! It's like non-stop, right? LOL!!
ReplyDeleteThis lovely post took me back...
ReplyDeleteWhen my son was a wee one we had an album by Anne Murray called 'There's a Hippo in My Bathtub' and it had a song entitled 'Why oh Why'. I've tried to find a youtube clip for you but have been unsuccessful. Here are the lyrics, though - for you and for all the other mums out there doing such a good job of answering the 'why' question
Why oh why why?
Why why why?
Because because because
Good night good night
Why does a camel drink water?
Why why why?
Because a camel gets thirsty just like you and me
And everybody else does
Good night good night
Why can't a mouse eat a streetcar?
Why why why?
Because a mouse's stomach isn't big enough to hold a streetcar
Good night good night
Why can't a cow have kittens?
Why why why?
Because well um God
Because cows have little calves
And cats have little kittens
And besides dear it's easier that way
Good night good night
Why won't you answer my questions?
Why why why?
Because I don't know the answers
Good night good night
We too are enduring the endless whys. I have been sorely tempted to use Jack Handy's "Deep Thoughts" on my kids, but have thus far resisted. Still, when I remember this it always makes me (& B)smile : "Why is it raining?"
ReplyDelete"Because God is crying."
"Why is God crying?"
"I don't know, but it must have been something you did."
:-)