Shabby Blog Background

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Why?

Ann Catherine is going through a couple of phases that every two-year-old goes through.

One is the habitual use of the word "no."

The second?

"Why?" No, not why are you asking. But the question, "Why?" You know, the one your child asks you incessantly day and night.

In the last few days, she has started asking me "why" 20 times a day. Tonight's conversation while we were getting ready for bed went like this:

"Ann Catherine, be quiet."

"Why?"

"Because Lily's asleep."

"Why?"

"Because it's nighttime."

"Why?"

"Because it's not daytime."

"Why?"

"Because the sun is down."

"Why?"

At this point, I was at a loss. And I pulled out the phrase that my mother always used, and I swore I never would.

"Because I said so."

That didn't really satisfy her, but she dropped it anyway.

This whole "why" thing really makes you feel incredibly dumb as an adult. Inevitably, Ann Catherine will ask me "why" about something and I'll realize, I have no idea what the answer is. I mean, you think you're a reasonably smart adult, and then your two-year-old trips you up.

Why?

Because those two-year-olds are a lot smarter than you think.

2 comments:

Luna said...

Just try to have fun with it!!When she asks, "Mommy why is the grass green" just say the God thought purple grass would look funny!

At this age you can mess with your kids and laugh because they take it seriously (Calvin and Hobbs syndrome (read the comics if you don't get it and see how the Dad tells stories!)

Anonymous said...

Amy,

There is nothing wrong with
"Because I said so."

Especially if you've answered 10 "why" questions already. I'd say you are pretty patient!

Claire