How to Make the Most of Endless Questions From Your Kids
Why? Why? WHY?! The dreaded question we wish we have a bittersweet relationship with. Of course, we’re glad our children are learning about the world but wow, it can wear you down rapidly. There are a few tricks to keep up your sleeve when your child becomes intensely inquisitive. They’ll help you keep your sanity while still promoting your child to continue learning.
Naturally Curious
Before diving into the tricks, I want to shift your perspective a little bit. Kids are naturally curious and little learners. This is because many of the experiences we find mundane, they’re doing for the first few times. Folding laundry bores us and annoys us because of the quantity. However, to a toddler, this is the COOLEST thing they’ve done so far in their day! They get to be like mom, connect, learn how to use their hands to make this piece of fabric move, and see a finished product all in one sitting. There’s not much better for them.
This is how they see most tasks. They’re learning how to make it work within their own body and it is exhilarating! Their brains are constantly absorbing new information when they’re little. This is why they’re coined little sponges because they soak it all in. Kids are learning EACH day about various tasks. While it may not seem like they’re using anything they’re soaking in, they will. Their brain is processing it all, then one day out of the blue you’ll notice them doing something from two weeks ago. They just needed the time to put it all together.
Since they are looking to absorb as much as they can about EVERYTHING, once they’re able to talk, the word WHY comes about quickly. They not only want to watch and learn, but they want to know the DETAILS! They want the full story, not the cliff notes, and they want it about all the things!
Why Do You Have So Many Questions?
It starts off super cute when they ask the questions, but it quickly becomes draining. There are many things going on in a day and to have to explain everything can fry a mama’s brain. Instead of letting these questions frustrate you, try these tips!
TURN IT AROUND
Turn the question around on them! This helps them create their own critical thinking skills and eliminates questions they already know the answer to. Many times, kids are looking to fact check when they ask a question. They want to make sure they’re right. Asking them the question saves you from going down the rabbit hole and helps them get the validation they’re looking for.
It can look like this:
Why does the sun come up? “Why do you think the sun comes up?”
Why do we have to go to school? “Why do you think you have to go to school?”
ASK ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER
There are times in the day that do not allow for the multitude of questions that come your way. Typically, that is when kids love to rapid fire with inconvenient questions. If you’re unable to answer the question, ask them to go check with someone else. Or if they’re toddlers, bring another family member in to let them ask the question to. This will show others can answer these questions with them too. It’ll also give you the break you need!
WRITE IT DOWN
If your kid is a little older, you can ask them to write it down. This will give you a chance to answer them when you have a chance. You can have a notebook in a central location that they can jot the questions down. Then you can look at them later and respond verbally or write them down. It could easily be a fun way to connect if they wake up and see the answers to their questions from the previous day.
If your child is too little to write (like mine) you could always do the same thing except you could write it down for them. You could answer them during dinner time after you’ve had a second to breath before you take your first bite J
ASK A FRIEND
Toddlers love to ask anything and everything. It can seem like a fun game at times for them. But it is not a fun game for most parents. Especially those that stay at home. Another strategy is to have your little one go ask a friend. That could be an older sibling or just a stuffed animal. If they ask their friend a question and they’re unable to answer, then they can come back and ask you. But encourage them to find out the answer to come back to tell you! Then it can turn into a game where they share what they know rather than asking to be silly.
Part of Life
Being inquisitive and having a desire to learn more is a part of life. Having a deeper understanding of concepts and enjoying learning is something mamas want for their kids. I know I do. At the same time, I know how draining it can be to be asked questions nonstop during the day.
If we keep in mind the fact kids are learning about the world through each experience and desiring a meaningful connection, it helps you approach the endless questions differently. These questions won’t seem like a pain or kids testing us.
We’ll be able to see that our kids are trying to connect with us and learn from us. There may even be times you will learn WITH your child based on the question they ask. You two might have to look the answer up together and enjoy the process of learning something new together! By accepting their questioning as a part of growing up and connecting, we foster a sense of critical thinking that will take them far in life.
You might do such a good job when they question you! I urge you to refrain from saying, “because I said so.†Honor your child’s question and answer why you made the decision you made. Let them know there are things that are not up for debate, but you appreciate them wanting to understand more about your thinking. Then you can leave it at that.
Questions are a simple part of life. A skill we are proud our kids have and are willing to entrust our own knowledge to answer. Continue to foster that curiosity and use these tips to help keep your sanity in the process.
You got this, Mamas!