Don’t put that cord around your neck.
Don’t go outside without shoes on.
Don’t pee in your panties.
Don’t hit your sister.
All of these statements plus many more I have said in the last week.
And all of them were met with the response of “why?”
It’s obvious to any adult why I said these statements.
Wrapping a cord around your neck is dangerous as is going outside without shoes. Peeing in your pants is just wrong and hitting is never nice.
But to a 2 year old I guess the why isn’t as clear.
I want her to question everything around her.
To learn more about the world she lives in and to not have blind faith in the wisdom of those around her.
But some days with some statements, the why’s just drive me crazy.
As I respond with a logical explanation she counters with another why. Of course this evenutally leads to my final response of “because I said so.”
Which isn’t the answer I want her to remember, but it’s the only one I can give so that she stops asking why.
Today over at One Martini, we partnered up with Eve from Mama’s Hungry to create a food/cocktail pairing with our Taste of Tropics Margaritas. Be sure to check that out.
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Twitter: AlisonSWLee
says:
I’ve decided to make up outrageous answers when asked why.
I know, I’m so going to rock this.
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..Neither Here Nor There
We did that with Hayley. It was hilarious when she looked at us with a puzzled face after our explanations.
The “whys” are driving me crazy these days. It’s nonstop.
Solidarity.
Natalie @MamaTrack recently posted..A Pink Baby
I would tell you it stops as they get older but I would be lying.
Hahaha!! I feel your pain, Jess
Runnermom-jen recently posted..Running is my Super Power
I’m sure you do.
Twitter: bocafrau
says:
But why, mommy, why? Do I ever remember that. My little one still does that from time to time… I remember my boy being the worst of the three. Kids will be kids!!! And yes, I told you so.
Susi recently posted..I love freckles
I guess it’s good but man, it drives me crazy sometimes.
I always say I want my kids to question everything in life. Well, except for me.
angela recently posted..Small Surpises and Little Kindnesses
Yes. Exactly.
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
Dude, they tag team me with the why’s. I have 2 of them asking me non-stop. It’s so not fair.
Kimberly recently posted..On This Day
It’s not fair but one day paybacks will suck for them and we can say HAHAHAHA
Twitter: nicholebeaudry
says:
This is the best line that I’ve read in a LONG time: “Peeing in your pants is just wrong.”
That, my friend, is perfection.
Nichole recently posted..Parenting with grace
Ha! It really is wrong. And it makes Dora sad.
Twitter: Twinisms
says:
Because I said so is perfectly acceptable. It makes sense to you now that you’re a mom too doesn’t it?
Bridget recently posted..The Real R & R
Yeah, it does. Except when the kids say it to me.
Twitter: UniquelyEN
says:
Oh girly -You need to hit her back with “Well why do you think?” When she has to answer you back the ‘whys’ lessen. Also, it’s a good thinking skill and it helps her to remember (well makes her more likely to remember that is) why not to do things.
Erin recently posted..4:30 AM totally do-able
That’s what we do with my oldest. She has stopped asking so many whys.
Twitter: andthenkate
says:
You know, sometimes “Because I said so” is the only thing left to say. I swore I would never say it once I had children, but here I am. It packs a certain I’m-the-mother-allow-me-to-lord-this-one-thing-over-you punch, too.
I’ll second reversing the question back, too. Sometimes that two minutes of frantic toddler thinking buys you enough time to go to the bathroom.
Kate recently posted..Now I’m wondering whether the blow-up doll can somehow recycle into a baby toy.
I”ve reversed the questioning with my oldest. It works usually.
Twitter: corp2domestic
says:
Oh I know I see this in my future very soon! My friend has a 5 year old and that’s every other word for her….
Natalie recently posted..Wordless Wednesday-Say Cheese!
This is your very near future my friend.
It is developmentally appropriate(in fact, a little advanced). She is actually trying to grasp a firm uniform definition of the term, “Why.” She is compiling all the responses to see if they match up with what she is thinking. In a little while she will be past it.
Maggie S. recently posted..Trying to be Super Proud in the Middle of All This Tired.
I know, but sometimes it’s just too much and I have to vent about it.
Twitter: applesndroses
says:
I say because I said so all the time. I ever thought I’d do it, but it does help to stay sane.
Mirjam recently posted..Picture love
Staying sane is important.
Twitter: elenawollborg
says:
The “why’s” are a lot to take at times! I feel like I get them so much more from Cooper than with Lanagan. L has always been my easy going kid – if I say no, he usually doesn’t question it. Cooper on the other hand? Stubborn little man needs to know a reason for EVERYTHING!
Elena recently posted..Number Thirteen
H has been my easy going one although she did ask why a lot. There is nothing easy about L (in fact, I have a post in the works about it).
Ah. Once my son fed my dog potting soil, which he then barfed up all over our carpet. “AND THAT IS WHY YOU DON’T FEED THE DOG DIRT!”
Nicole recently posted..Psst. Wanna come see my basement?
Ha! Lesson learned the hard way.
Twitter: daddyrunsalot
says:
My kids haven’t figured out “why” yet . . . and I’m very grateful for that.
And, since they seem to be developing a language all of their own, I’m hopeful that they’ll just be able to answer the “why” to each other, without my involvement.
John recently posted..Where I recount an evening trip for ice cream
Wouldn’t that be nice.
Twitter: CandGsMom
says:
AH! I know! I cannot stand all the why. Mine ask why even when they already know the answer. Like, are you testing me? Making sure I’m being consistent? I usually just end up saying “Mommy needs you to stop talking.” Probably not nice, but at least it’s honest!!
Danielle recently posted..How I Earned Carter
Many times I have said “please stop talking.” Just a little quiet time can go a long way.
Oh, God yes. I am so frustrated with the “why”s, but even more than that… the NO’s. All I get from Max is “NO” or “I WILL!” if I tell him not to do something.
Aubrey Anne recently posted..Guest posting at Sperk*!
The no’s are just as frustrating. Hopefully it passes soon.
“Because I said so,” and “Because I’m the mom, that’s why” are probably my most often repeated statements nowadays.
My kids, though, are now old enough to protest with, “That’s not a good enough reason, Mom.”
“Oh really? I beg to differ. Now wipe that toothpaste off the wall.”
Ha! They will always protest no matter what we say.
OH yes- the why!!!!! I have a list a mile long. You made me chuckle!!
Gina recently posted..The Black Reflector
I’m sure we all have lists a mile long when it comes to this one.
Twitter: TeresaThinks
says:
I hate the word WHY. I can’t believe they trap me with it EVERY TIME. I see your daughter is turning into a jumping daredevil? Yeah, mine too.
Teresa recently posted..silly girl
Oh yes, she is a very crazy daredevil.
Oh, the why questions. They’re never ending. I try to answer them all, but sometimes, I give up and settle with diversion tactics to get her to think about something else.
Jessica recently posted..Spring Cleaning| Teething Baby
I try to use diversion tactics sometimes too.
Twitter: galitbreen
says:
Oh how I get this, you.
I want them to question the world, just not necessarily me all the time! Ahem.
(Love this one!)
Galit Breen recently posted..Bringing Home A Third Baby
If only we could get them to understand that.
Twitter: mommonsenseblog
says:
Can definitely relate! I do love that my daughter is curious and wants to understand the world around her, but sometimes it can make you go cross-eyed. And a lot of times she starts asking questions I don’t know the answer to…at which point I have no problem admitting that I don’t. If we’re able to, we’ll look up the answer. If we’re driving and aren’t near my trusty friend, Google, I tell her, “Maybe Daddy knows…you can ask him later!” =)
Elizabeth recently posted..Frugal Fashionista Friday: May Edition
I always direct my oldest to Google or Daddy for answers when I don’t know them.
Just tell her to google it
Haha, that’s what I tell my kids all the time because the questions they ask now I never know the answer to. Just last night my son asked “How small are atoms” & “What does the O and K in Ok stand for” I told him we’d google it today.
marie recently posted..Girls gone (not so) Wild
Ha! I have no idea how to answer those questions. When Hayley comes to with things like that I make her google them.
Twitter: elainea
says:
Just another trait of our kids that has its pros and cons, right?
She sure is cute…
Elaine recently posted..Then and Now
It seems everything has pros and cons.
Twitter: KoalaBearWriter
says:
My daughter is four and she’s still in the “why” stage. Sometimes, I honestly have no answer beyond “because I said so” (or “because my mom told me so”). Or sometimes it would require a huge explanation… but I do want her to learn too…
Bonnie Way recently posted..Flowers for Friday
My 8 year old still questions everything I say but with her I can say “google it.”
Twitter: madwomandiary
says:
“It makes Dora sad.” is awesome.
And the why’s, I don’t know how many times I wanted to shoot myself in the head.
And just for this, I think I’ll go home and may myself a stiff drink. Shall I pour 2?
Yes please.
You know, sometimes they just need to know that they should/shouldn’t do things b/c YOU’RE the adult and you said so. Yeah, I know that’s not going to fly over here either.
Rach (DonutsMama) recently posted..Life’s Lessons: Out & About & I Miss the Blogosphere
There are just somethings that they should not question, it would make life easier.
Sometimes I hit back with a “Why not?”
. But at the end of the day, it’s the cuteness that prevails…
Kids will just question everything, won’t they? It’s amusing and irritating at the same time
The Pepperrific Life recently posted..Taking a Leap of Faith
The cuteness will always win. Especially when they are asleep.
Just wait one more year!!! she will ask why about the answers you gave her!! That would be less fun!
“Wrapping a cord around your neck is dangerous” why is it dangerous? because it can kill you? why would it kill me? because you wouldn’t breath? why wouldn’t I breath…….
Nikky44 recently posted..A Cry for Help
I think I need another drink.
Twitter: carribrown
says:
She and Blake are meant to be. They can just ask each other “why?” all day long while we drink mojitos.
Carri recently posted..Throat Punch Thursday: Leather Purse For a Face Edition
Deal.
Twitter: beeswithhoney
says:
I remember the why stage. Little B is almost six and her thing is asking WHAT IF … non-stop and it drives me crazy because, sometimes, us Moms really just want to be quiet and not answer so many questions.
Your youngest is growing up SO fast!
Bruna recently posted..mother’s day: what I really want!
Oh man. The what if questions are another beast that I don’t want to tackle.
Twitter: LittleMsP
says:
Oh how I hated “because I said so” as a kid and I swear I must say it way more than my dad ever did. I once saw a bumper sticker that said “Because I’m the Mama, that’s why.” At least it’s not, “:Because I said so”
Paulette recently posted..Smile and Pay Attention
Now that I’m the parent, I understand why my parents said it to me. The circle of life, I guess.
The “whys” drive me crazy too! If only we had the perfect answers each time they were asked. And when I say perfect, I mean suitable to THEM!
Tonya recently posted..My Voice
I don’t think there is a perfect answer for a two year old unless it involves candy.