How to Get Your Child to Stop Asking “Why?”, According to Reddit
Children are curious little creatures, which makes them great. They are experiencing so much in this world for the first time, and much of this – from the color of the sky to the existence of nails – completely confuses them. The inquisitive mind of a small child wants to know: why? Why, why, why, why, why?
Young children are known to ask this question ad nauseam. Sure, you want to encourage their curiosity, but sometimes after the sixth or seventh “But why?” You just don’t have the answers. Maybe they just want to talk to you and this is how they keep the conversation going, or maybe they are not entirely sure how to ask a question they really want an answer to. Anyway, as one parent on Reddit suggests (and the Daily Star dug it up for us), it’s time to ask them back.
Reddit user u / AD_Meridian says:
Some time ago my youngest (4 years old) entered the “why” phase. Read the article which said that the best way to get them to stop is to ask them, “I’m not sure what you think?” This is a godsend. They answer their own question, you give feedback, “Sounds good to me,” and they immediately move on to the next one. Awesome.
That is awesome. This not only allows parents to get off the hook when you don’t know the answer or your brain just can’t come up with one, but it also allows them to practice critical thinking without brushing them off. (If they don’t have a theory, you can suggest that they study it together.)
Naturally, other Redditors had other ideas and tips to share to curb over-the-top reasons :
- “I started getting my four year old to ask the whole question, so now he has to ask, ‘Why is the sky blue? »And not just” why? ” It makes him stop and think, draws him into conversation more and pulls us out of this constant “why-why-why-why …” cycle. (u / capnchristof)
- “My friend sharply answered the seventh question of her baby:“ But why? “, And” Well, why not? “In a really happy voice. Her son looked completely shocked and stopped asking. ” (u / Nincomsoup)
- “I don’t mind answering honest questions and that’s a great answer. There were endless “why’s” after an unpleasant decision (Time to leave in ten minutes – why? We need to let grandparents sleep – Why? They were tired after playing with you all day – why?) Miss Manners’ response: “I don’t want to discuss it.” Rinse and repeat until stopped. ” (N / Astirix)
- “Long scientific explanations really work, too. This method is 100% successful for my 3 year old daughter. ” (u / Alkakfnxcpoem)
And yes, you can also just answer the question; this is also an acceptable answer.