Ok everyone…
I may be totally OK with the Princess Phase, but we’ve entered the “Why” phase and it might do me in!
Grace will be 3 years old on Wednesday and we are continually blown away by how fun she is! She’s talking and reasoning more than ever, and the things that she says crack us up.
When I blew my nose at the table with a napkin yesterday afternoon, she got all worried and shouted, “MOM, na-kyims are for wiping HANDS! TISSUES are for wiping NOSES!”
You’d have thought I rocked her whole universe. Lol.
She’s truly a source of incredible joy in our home and we pretty much love everything she says, except…
“WHY??”
It has officially started.
WHY is the response to every.single.thing. we say to her.
Grace, please come to the table; it’s time for breakfast.
WHY?
Please don’t smoosh Avery.
WHY?
Come here so I can get you dressed.
WHY?
Daddy’s upstairs studying.
WHY?
Because he’s learning how to be a doctor and it’s hard work.
WHY?
Because there is a lot that they have to know in order to take good care of people.
WHY?
Because we live in a fallen world and there are all kinds of very different sicknesses.
WHY?
Because Adam and Eve ate the fruit when they weren’t supposed to and it set sin into motion on earth.
WHY?
Because they got greedy and wanted to be like God and probably didn’t realize what a mess of things it would make.
WHY?
I DON’T KNOW. THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE JUST A GREAT MYSTERY AND WE WON’T KNOW UNTIL WE’RE IN HEAVEN SOME DAY.
OH.
Basically any simple question can become a full-on theological discussion.
I know she doesn’t understand all of that, but hey, why not start planting seeds of truth in her little mind now, right?
I’m often willing to answer all of the “whys” until we get all the way down to “I don’t know, some things are a great mystery” but there are other times that I become exasperated and say, “PLEASE STOP SAYING WHY.”
I know this is a part of normal development, but it’s tough!
And I always get sad when she asks a couple of WHYs and then says “Please stop saying why!” before I even have a chance to say it to her.
Man oh man they pick up on everything.
So, veteran moms or anyone with some good ideas….do you have any advice for how to handle the WHYs in a way that fosters her curiosity and doesn’t crush her spirit but also helps me feel like I’m not going to lose my mind?
I’m all ears…
Are you asking WHY she always has to ask Why?? HAHA.. Could not resist..XOXOX
LOL! I love you Rochelle :)
I want to know WHY is it now that I am older and have passed the “child raising” years that I would give anything to have my babies back asking those “why” questions…..
Enjoy this phase in life my dear ~ I am very blessed that Grace and Avery have such awesome parents to answer all those “why” questions!!!
I love you so much…
Mom :)
I’m trying to soak up every minute even if they feel trying at times :) LOVE YOU!
When abbey went through that phase, I thought I would go nuts too but it passes more quickly than you might think. Dave would always say that it’s good that she was questioning things and investigating. True, but fielding the questions all day can become exhausting:) I was laughing out loud reading the sequence of “why” questions and your responses:) is asking why better or worse than “is this my favorite color, mommy?” Lol
HAHA! I think is this my favorite color was easier! But I agree with Dave…I’m glad she’s inquisitive and I guess I can view it as a good opportunity to teach her a lot of stuff :) We miss you guys! Playdate soon…
Just keep answering those questions. One day, the “why” will be about why she can’t date that guy, or go to that party, or why can’t I because “all my friends are doing it”. If you continue to give her knowledge and the answers now, she’ll feel comfortable to talk to you in those difficult years. And above all else, don’t ever be afraid to say, “I don’t know”. Then take her to the internet or the Word, whichever is appropriate, and let her help you find out “why”. Wish I had been more about this when my kiddos were young. ;)
Very good advice :) We need to meet up soon!