Why??

Amanda - posted on 12/27/2010

well u are not giving me any hope for my son because he is in the first phase where the short version will do untill it gets so annoying that I have become a "i said so" mom but that is just that you may not want to be one of those moms but you might...especially if he just keeps going on and on....other then that i really don't know what to tell ya...i just answer untill my son starts to get sill and ask questions he already knows answers to...don't know why and he can get funny sometimes but it is really annoying so I know how u feel....good luck

Karen - posted on 12/24/2010

My daughter is forever asking questions she knows the answers to (what colour is that? What's that animal called? -- she's 25 months). I usually answer the question with, "What do you think?" Maybe that would work for you.
Or you could say something like, "you seem really curious about xyz. Let's talk about it while we ..."

Meghan - posted on 12/24/2010

Jess...I am so confused about your reply. I am trying to picture it but I can't. LOL. You are awesome!
J is a lot younger but he has already started the "what's that" thing. Whenever we go to a store he points out 100,000 things and asks "what's that?" It drives me up the wall but I answer every single time-sometimes I don't even look and blurt out random things. BUT today while he was doing it I had an epiphany. He started it while I wasn't paying attention to him. I was so busy price comparing and trying to figure out if crab legs were in my budget (they weren't but I got them anyway haha) that he started to include himself. Given his age I don't think he is trying to be a pain in my ass, just trying to get my attention.
SO given the age difference and the fact that we haven't dealt with the "why" stage yet, I am going to boldly suggest that maybe you "distract and ignore." Maybe he just wants a conversation? Answer the first "why" then immediately follow it up with a conversation starter.."what did you do at school today?" "What do you think we should have for dinner?" "What is your take on Obama's health care plan?" (j/k on the last one)
I don't know if that applies or helps at all?

Kelly - posted on 12/23/2010

Thanks, ladies. I need to sit down and formulate my responses beforehand. I just get caught up in it so quick b/c my first impulse is to just answer the question.....need to keep thinking "make him do what I ask THEN answer the question!"

Don't get me wrong, I do love his questions and his curious mind. I guess I was just over stressed, we'll blame it on the the onset of this cold right before Christmas....I can't speak today :(

Chatty - posted on 12/23/2010

Jess, you're fuckin' hilarious! *high five*

JuLeah and Dawna.....THOSE are some great suggestions. I almost can't wait 'til Roxanne goes through that stage! ;)

Chatty - posted on 12/23/2010

Next time let him go without his jacket and he'll learn first hand! Natural consequences, right?! ;)

JuLeah - posted on 12/23/2010

Maybe his questions are his way of getting attention from you. It seems to work.
Turn the questions back on him.
"You tell me son. Why do you need a coat?"
Change the topic to something you do wish to chat about.


ME: "Please put your coat on, we are going downtown."
J: "Why do I have to wear a coat?"
(YOU) Put your coat on and we will talk about it.


***DOWNTOWN****
ME: "Please hop out."
J: "Why do I have to get out?"
(you) Hop out and we will talk about it.
Then you get out and ignore him until he is atnding beside you.

***LEAVING THE GARAGE***
ME: "Please hold my hand here."
(You) when you are holding my hand we can talk about it.
Then you said nothing but that line until he is holding your hand.

Your kid is smart. He has figured out a few tricks to have a lot of control.
Putting my daughter to bed the other night she did something like this. As her head lowered to her pillow she asked, "Is the universe round, or just the Earth?"
20 minutes later, I realized she was sitting up with a big grin on her face as we were talking about the 'meaning of life' - I just laughted - she got me
I said, "If you still want to know about this tomorrow we can talk for hours. Good night"
She lowered her head back down and said, "I almost got a half an hour of stay up late time, Mama"
"Yah, baby, you're a smart one"

This is what kids do, the test, the push, the distract, the talk, they find your weak spots, they push ....

Jess - posted on 12/23/2010

Easy fix, all you will need is, a large glass, a blender, a straw, a pair of scissors and some gaffa tape.

Cut a good sized piece of Gaffa tape and make a slit in the middle. Pop it over his mouth making sure you don't cover his nose. The blender comes in handy at meal times... just whizz everything, put it in the glass and pop the straw in !

Problem solved ! Merry Christmas

Riana - posted on 12/23/2010

I'm with Dawna, sit him down and explain to him that he is always allowed to wonder about things, explore his enviroment and ask why but that there is a time and place for everything. Agree that when possible you will answer as much as you know but also agree that you get one answer that is "Now is not the time" or "We are in a hurry and will discuss this later" or "I'll explain on the way" or something like that, a single phrase clearly stating that now is a time for actions and not questions. Then try to come back to the questions later, while driving in the car.

Dawna - posted on 12/22/2010

Maybe try saying something like, "I really want to answer your questions, but we're in a hurry right now. Can you hold your questions until we get home later, and we can look up the answers together?" Then, maybe you could use the Internet or a dictionary to look up info on the weather, etc. If he's 6, he may be into learning on his own a bit, and maybe he could wait that long for answers, if he believes you will help him and answer him later? I don't know, mine is only 3 and simple answers or, "because it just is." still work. ;)