The 'Why' stage

[whiskygalore]

How did you deal with the phase in your child's life where everything you said was answered with, "Why?". Don't want to quash inquisitiveness, but it is sometimes exhausting!

[888sally888]

Why are you asking this question? Why? Sorry I couldnt help myself!!

[zebra]

As my Mum told me what she did as I got older, if I asked a question, I was owed a realistic true answer, i.e old enough to be inquisitive about something, get something back truthful, hence unlike some of my mates, I didn't believe babies popped out of belly buttons and didn't scream and run home at other realities of growing up.

Following my Mums way (which I never admit to doing) my young daughter is quite balanced and understands she can always ask me about things.

Cringe at the time, but its worth it later on!

[Ice.Maiden]

Very true zebra. Children continually ask questions because they don't understand, so it's worth spending time in answering them properly. An inquisitive child's often a bright one, and if you take the time to explain, they'll learn more quickly.

[zebra]

Ice.Maiden, Cheers, the only question I have difficulty answering is......Are we there yet?! Arrrrrrr

[Ice.Maiden]

: )

Don't think so!

[Ice.Maiden]

Sorry - meaning - "I don't think so....." and then you suggest something they might (not) want to look at, or do!!

[zebra]

I know exactly what you mean ; ) and I will have that within the next week, on the way to hols!!! To be fair it is a long drive! x

[lozzylou]

my 3 year old is at this stage and at times it drives me mad, but he is only trying to find out answers for things so i have to give him a truthful answer. the one i hate is

can we play in the garden mum?
no
but y?
cause its too late
but y is it too late?
cause its getting dark now
but its still light outside.

how do i explain to a 3 year old that although it is light it is still 7pm lol

[JOEYGREEN]

My son is coming up to 7 now and I remember this stage. You always start out really trying to explain why to them and in the end you say '...because I said so'.

I remember when I used to ask my mum 'why?' and she used to say 'z'. Yeah, thanks mum.

[redcrx]

"how do i explain to a 3 year old that although it is light it is still 7pm lol "

i tell my 3 year old that the sun is tired and is slowly falling down into its bed.

as for the "Why" debate, i answer as much as i can as thoroughly as i can but adjust things slightly to cover for the fact that my son is only 3.

For instance we had "why cant dinosaurs get me and eat me?" I didnt want to talk to him about them dying (and explain death) so i said that they all fell asleep billions of years ago and will never wake up.

have you ever turned it on them, asked why, why, why until they get fed up with you! Its so funny lol

[BuzzNitemare]

You're not alone. There are days that I regret telling my children that asking questions is the best way to learn. I don't think I will ever forget having this conversation with my then 4 year old -

'Where's that lady going?'
'I don't know, sweetheart, I've never seen her before'
'Do you think it's got something do do with what's in her bag?'
'It could be , I dont know'
'What's she got in her bag?'
'I don't know that lady, I've never spoken to her and I don't know what she has in her bag!!'
'Oh' - long pause -' 'Well what do you think it might be,mummy?'

The next question may well have been 'Mummy why are you opening a bottle of wine at lunchtime?'

[zebra]

I love those replies, comes back at you as well, my 4yr old son is always amazed, how do I know he has hidden something behind his back and I know what it is, he is suprised I know he has broken something etc etc. So I get, how do you know Mom? Do you know everything, so I say yes in a warning he can't get away with anything.

Then when we are out and he says, why is that, or why are they going there? I say I don't know!

Silly me............I get the reply. So you don't know everything then do you Mom? GGrrrrrrr

[scotgal]

Sorry to burst your bubble whiskygalore but my son still answers every question with a why and he's 34 for god's sake!

[pinksmartie]

I've always asked my mom random questions that I've thought about as I've grown up, but she never seemed to know the answers! From a child's point of view that's very frustrating.

[smudge742]

BuzzNitemare - you really made me laugh, plus it reminds me of my youngest daughter...she's now 10 and still has the habit of asking why...it will be my son's turn next although he is 17months so I have a little while!

With my daughters, I always tried to answer everything, with my 10yr old, it went on and on, and I have to confess I usually ended up with 'because I said so', but then she will pause.....and say...why? Arrgghhh!!!

I don't really have any answers, but I guess answering them is the best for them...even if it drives us mum's mad.