This last summer, while visiting Michelle, I asked her how she had the patience to deal with her daughters millions of questions. Well, now it's my turn. Abby's response to almost anything Cam or I ask of her is 'Why?'
Me: "Can you go get your shoes?"
Abby: "Why?"
Me: "It's time for bed."
Abby: "Why?"
Usually my first response is 'because I said so'. But it rarely stops there. It seems that for everything I say, she can comeback with 'Why?' Grrr. I'm the boss, you just have to do what I say! Okay, not really. But after about 10 'Why's?' I feel like shouting that.
She's also got ten million questions about every book or movie she sees. Lately she's been obsessed with Beauty and the Beast (the movie and the book) and will look over the book and ask questions about the book.
'Why is Belle's mouth like that?'
'Why is the Beast mad?'
'Why is he holding is hand like that?'
This goes on for at least a half an hour or more. Several times a day. I know she is curious and all, but, I'll be honest, it's incredibly annoying.
Do I really need to answer every question? Is it okay to tell her that that's enough questions, that she needs to find something else to do? Or would that be squashing her curiousity?
I know I most kids go through this stage (it is just a stage, right? :) There's got to be a way to make this a little less frustrating.
Ohhh, I remember babysitting a little girl who did that and it drove me crazy. Then Elaine started doing it. And it drove me crazy! :)
ReplyDeleteIt does get better (yes, it is a phase) but it can be painful when you answer a question and you get the same question 5 more times. But WHY? - as if your first answer wasn't good enough. I have to admit, I did start tuning her out sometimes because I just couldn't take it anymore.
One thing that I found helps is to turn the question back at them. Why do YOU think? Or, "What did I just say?". Sometimes they have pretty good answers and it teaches them to think for themselves - or to pay better attention to the answers! :)
And, if I'm being honest, after too many whys (and I'm not talking 2 or 3) and if Elaine wasn't listening and I'd answered the same question 10 times I would let her know that the discussion was closed. New topic!
We are on to new phases (I think I'll need a separate post for that) and not quite as many whys ...some days. Hang in there!
You know, the longer I'm a parent, the more I remember my childhood. I remember doing this to my Mom, and I remember it drove her crazy. As a young, innocent girl, I didn't have any desire to annoy her, I just wanted to use my newfound talking skills and be heard. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI feel like it's ok to tell Tyler that Mommy needs a break. Sometimes my sanity is important enough for that. As long as you are finding ways to satisfy her curiosity at other times, it's ok to tell them momma needs some quiet for a bit!
ReplyDeleteI know Abby is younger than Tyler, so this strategy might not work as well, but I'm trying to teach Tyler places he can go BESIDES momma to learn things. When we was curious about clouds one day, we emailed the weather center at 7 news. When he was wondering how a rocket worked the other day, I told him to ask uncle nathan when we got to grandma's house. We ask melissa about medical stuff, and katie about nutrition. I think it's important for my kids to know that mom doesn't always have the information, but let's learn how to figure out the information.
(Disclaimer: this is just commentary on my life. I don't expect everyone to feel the same way I do.)