My Brain Will Now Be Exploding One Cell at a Time
Alexis did it.
She said it.
The word.
Yes, THAT word.
Then she said it again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And agaaaaaaaaaaain.
14,328 times this morning. Then another 17,301 times this evening.
"Why?"
"Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "Why?"
Please don't tell me how the need to follow my every statement with that question is normal. I know. You also don't need to tell me it's an important stage that helps kids understand the world around them. I know that, too.
You can, however, tell me that it's a super-short stage. A week sounds fantastic. I could handle a week.
If you can't say that, I have only one response: Why?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Reader Comments (50)
Mine figured out how to say "why" yesterday, but thankfully doesn't know that it's a question or that I'm supposed to have the other half of the conversation.
But she did say "why" over and over again for a 20 minute drive home last night. I can't wait.
Oooohhh, that's kind of a swear word around here, depending on the voice pitch that's used when it's said. The other swear is "MINE!"
Suuuuuuure it'll last for a week. YOu just keep telling yourself that. Whatever gets you through the night. :)
When I realized it didn't make a damn of a difference what I answered because it was going to be followed, again, by "why?", I started making up the most ridiculous responses. It kept me happy!
I.Am.So.Sorry. I remember the phase well. I wish I could say it will be over quickly. Maybe for you and Alexis it will (she says hopefully?).
Yeah. Good luck with that! :)
My standard response to "Why?" is "Why do YOU think?". It keeps them occupied, and they do most of the work!
Oh, geez. I got nuthin'. Sorry. But, I think that picture could not be more appropriate!!
Mine still says it All The Time. He is closing in on 4. Sorry.
Oh, golly gee willikers. Oh, my darlin. I don't know what to say, because mine hasn't hit this stage. Hold on: I'm grabbing my pen, licking it and taking notes.
This stage will be gone before you know it. It's a small bleep on the radar. If you hadn't written it down here, you wouldn't remember it a couple of years down the road. Unfortunately Dora will stick in your mind forever!
Luke will be all over her trying to pry those teeth out of her mouth for his collection.
I'm just trying to distract you from the inevitable.
Why not? Good luck with that heeheehee!
Why would you NOT like the word, "Why?" Consider it your new name.
To be replaced, in a year or less, with, "Are you lying?"
Sorry to tell you this, but six kids and 3,457,981 why's later... :)
Question: "Why?"
Answer: "Because I said so."
"Why?"
"Because...I'm your mother."
The day has come when, yes, you, too, have turned into your mom. Welcome to the club!
Griffin started that this week too.
If else fails, go with the standard fallback - "Because I said so!"
Digging the fangs, btw. My son has worn them practically every minute since Halloween. I ask:
WHY?!
I bet some day you'll look back fondly on the "why" stage....ok....maybe not
Miss Peach has been there forever! I now sing "Because, because, because, because..." That usually ends it;)
I've found that "I don't know" is the quickest way to end that barrage of questioning. Apparently the need for quiet is more important to me than being an all-knowing parent. Ah well.
That pic is perfect for this post!!!
I like the "Why do you think" answer and there's always "Because I said so". I believe the why's will become fewer and more profound as she gets older.
If all else fails, put in the dracula teeth and have a glass of wine!
"What" is a good word too. Usually combined with "why" until you want to bash your head up against the wall repeatedly. The ringing in your ears afterwards usually makes it hard to hear.
My parents always had the lamest retort to that question..."Because I'm the parent and I said so."
If our questions were actual questions, an appropriate response would be given. But, if we persisted, that's when they resorted to using the phrase.
My siblings and I eventually figured out that that very statement meant the end of the "Why?"
why is only the beginning...
(and don't ask me why. you will see me snap)
It has begun...it never ends too. Even at 9!!!!
Kimmy
oh my, we're still in the "wat's dat, mommy?" stage. Can't say I'm looking forward to the Why? stage. Let us know how long before you say "BECAUSE I SAID SO!" :P
Ohhhh...I'm so with you on that! It's definitely one of the most annoying toddler stages.
Once it starts it will NEVER end.
oh God....
And right now "Who?" and "What?" are making me crazy along with "Do it"
I do not envy your "Whys".
At least its not the "NO!" stage...
I am so so sorry ;)
1. Oh dear.
2. You realize, of course, that bright little girls ask "why" more than any other type of kid.
3. Honestly, I took great pride in figuring out how to give quick, simple and correct answers to "why". I suspect you will, too.
4. Trying to come up with more good points... Still trying...
Oh, I'm cringing for you. I was lucky to circumvent this stage with my oldest (seriously, don't kill me...that kid was PERFECT...I got my payback w/ the girls).
The girls thus far have avoided, but they only recently became verbal...but I expect it any time now with the youngest...she's such a pistol.
I hate to tell you but my 9 year old is still at it, although I do think it is just to annoy me at this point. Just wait until it is replaced by, "I HATE YOU! YOU ARE THE WORST MOTHER IN THE WORLD!" I don't know which one drives me crazist!
Why is she wearing those teeth? Why do you have a blue background? Why is the sun yellow?
Why am I called the most annoying commenter?
;)
My eight year old still asks more questions than any person in the world!! So her "phase" never went away. She will ask me to turn the radio up in the car and 5 seconds later I hear "Mommy?".
I am considering keeping duct tape in the car. Or sedatives. Maybe both.
I'm certain the phase will have passed by this evening.
*cough*NOT*cough
at our home, it's not "why" it's "but why"
but why, but why, but why, but why.....
and it's a long phase.....
Ahh something to look forward to! Right now my 2 year old's fave word is NO!
Oh gosh, sorry about that. The "why" stage doesn't bother me as much as the ridiculous questions stage. The girl I watch and I were meeting her friend and nanny for lunch after class today. The entire ride to the restaurant she asked, "Where's A? Where's A?..." "SHE'S IN HER MF'IN CAR!!" (What I yelled in my head).
Yeah... that's right... it only lasts a week.... uh huh... yeah...
You said to tell you that... doesn't mean I'm telling the truth....
Yes, the 'why' generation. It'll last until they are tweens and stop talking to you all together. And we all wanted babies, why exactly? Good luck with it! :)
Just tell her "Z" when she says it. It'll annoy the hell out of her!
One good piss off deserves another, I say!
bwaaaaa haaaaaaa haaaaaaa!
Sorry.
Next is MumcanIhave and then MumINEEEEEEEEEEEEED and then MumcanIgo...
No comment.
When Bug started that, because he was so smart I'd ask him why HE thought it was. There were lots of teachable moments in those Whys. Twig, not so much. With him I had to resort to age old technique of finally just ignoring it a lot. LOL! Either way, GOOD LUCK!
A week ... yeah, you are very funny.
Start thinking of creative replies - a well planned creative reply can sometimes keep them occupied or confuse the crap out of them - and they STOP.
That is until they figure out your game.
I've got a seven year old and I can tell you it never really ends, it just starts to slack off gradually some time toward the end of the preschool years.
The two year old hasn't really started in with the intensive whys yet. I'm sure it's coming soon.
*snort*! Too funny! yep it's a phase... followed by something equally irritating, but at least it will be something different.
bwahahahahaha...
no comment.
bwahahahahahahahahahahahaa