It is always amazing to me and sometimes frustrating (to be honest) the questions that my children come up with. They are curious about everything from flowers and colors to death and leveled parking structures. The underlying theme in most of the questions seems to be “why.” I understand that this is an effort to understand why and how everything around them works, at least, that is what I have been told. Sometimes I think it is a means to test the mental agility and stamina of a parent. Anyhow, as I was pondering the answers to the the ten rapid fire questions that I received in the five minutes between the car and the pool deck, I put these questions into three categories: Genius Questions, Glad I Have Kids Questions, and Procrastination Questions.
The first category is my favorite. These Genius Questions are the ones that make us as parents, feel like we have done right by our kids and that we may have actually taught them some type of critical thinking that will benefit them later in life. Example: Today, Maya, Ethan, and I were discussing the “Big Woods” (more to come on the Big Woods, think Laura Ingalls Wilder) near our new house. This seems to be a frequent topic in the car these days. Anyway, we were talking about how the wooded areas are getting smaller because people are cutting down the trees. Both kids quickly concluded that this is a terrible thing to do to trees. They wanted to know why people can’t just live in the shade of the trees or build their houses somewhere else? I was impressed with the level of concern and thinking. That leads to the next type of questions.
The second type of question usually presents shortly after the Genius Questions or when you are having a really bad day. These are the questions that make you glad that you have children and tend pull you out of even the deepest funk. As is usually the case, just as I was thinking that I have the two smartest kids in the world and that they are going to be renowned scientists or discover the cure for all that ales the world, I got hit with the question of the day, “Mommy, why are my (Ethan) buns small and yours are so big?” How do you answer that? Not with anger, it is an innocent question that means exactly what was asked. Nevertheless, This is not the first time my big buns have been called into question. This put me in mind of another such occasion. Maya had been helping me fold laundry. I am sure we were having some type of insightful and Earth moving conversation when I heard the question. “Gee mommy, those are pretty panties. When I grow up, can I wear big panties like yours?” Again, I couldn’t be mad. These are the questions that make me stop and just laugh aloud. I have no answers to these types of questions other than a big hug and lots of smiles. occasionally I will try and explain the science of it, but typically we are laughing so hard we become distracted and forget the original question.
That brings me to the front door of the final type of question. I am not sure if this should be a type of question or a strategy for questioning. I am referring to the burning questions that need to be answered right away or one might perish, or more likely be ushered off to bed. These are the questions that are meant to derail the train that is heading down the hall to the Naughty Step (if you have to ask about the naughty step, you probably don’t have kids). The ultimate kid trick, the Procrastination Questions. These questions, like the Genius Questions, are usually insightful and require a lengthy answer which provides the perfect distraction from bedtime routines or disciplinary actions. Maya and Ethan like to save their Procrastination Questions for the moment in which the toothbrush with dangling toothpaste is headed towards his/her mouth. I can almost always see it coming. It is like a slow motion event. The tiny mouth slams shut, little hands reach for the toothbrush, usually knocking it out of my hand, and then the words flow out, “Mommy, wait, why. . .” I try not to get sucked in, but alas, is it not my job to impart the wisdom of the world into the young minds of my children?
And so it goes. These three categories of questions fill my days with pride, laughter, and sometimes the frustration of not being able to answer. Maybe, some of the frustration comes from being overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of questions being asked. Either way, I would not trade these questions for all of the answers in the world. I just pray that I have the strength keep answering them and that my children continue to believe that I know everything!
Pingback: The Three Types of Questions Kids Ask (via Yes, I Said Minnesota) « Grown Up For Real!!!
created2bless said:
This was great and how I can relate. Although my four children are all grown and my two grandchildren do not act like children anymore, they are 12 and 14, I do nanny for families whose children catch me off guard sometimes with questions that have us rolling on the floor, some slap me right square in the face and still others leave me wondering how I got this far in life. lol Wonderful post, I am following you. 🙂
Lafemmeroar said:
Hilarious and the questions brings me back to the golden years of my “Kid-dom.”
Cleo said:
This article hit the nail on the head! Great blog!
Ortodox said:
Pildă VIDEO: Despre fapta milei şi iubirea de aproapele !
Keith Mildenberger said:
I love when you ask if they heard what you said. Mine always say they heard me, but can never summarize what I’ve told them, yet a few days later will question that very days conversation and say, “but you said….” Great Blog…enjoying it!
Yes I Said Minnesota said:
It depends on the person asking the questions, the intent, and my ability to answer without giving away too much information. When it is the kids, I try to answer honestly at their level. When the intent is mean hurtful I ignore the asker, and when it requires me to give information that I think is inappropriate, i end the conversation.
bagelundercouch said:
hahaha, this is hilarious. i got questions like these from the kids i looked after, however the ones from the youngest, a 2-year-old, were usually the most…abstract? he would look up at me with big eyes and say something to the effect of, “why are bees?” and my response would usually be something like, “because you’re not eating your spaghetti.”
chaifilipina said:
my son once asked me why our fingers are not equally tall.it took me a minute to answer and said ” so that we could hold the spoon and fork easily” I didn’t have the best at that moment. http://mylifeasafilipina.wordpress.com/
Mr. Motorized Blinds said:
Thanks For Sharing This Info. I see it beneficial and it advances my knowledge, Thanks again for giving this advice and look forward to your later blogs.
The Fat Pastor said:
Actually, I think a lot of questions kids ask aren’t really about the question at all. They are not seeking answers so much as they are seeking affirmation, conversation, attention, and above all, relationship. That’s why I sometimes the best answer to a question is sometimes another question, e.g. “I don’t know, why do you think?” An answer ends a conversation. It puts a cap on the relationship. Another question keeps the relationshp going.
Denver said:
Wait till they get older and think they know everything, then you’ll pine for the days of the incessant questions!
kvennarad said:
I’m trying to figure out how science would inform the prettiness and size of panties… nope… your Maya has me beat on that one.
As for genius questions, I was knocked out when my eldest son – aged 8 at the time – once asked me a question relating to what existed before time and before the beginning of the universe. The ensuing conversation was fascinating and lasted an hour. It involved discussing the linear concept of time (for which we had the working definition “the measure of the rate of change”) and imagining what complete and utter universal stasis would be like.
My youngest when in his teens (and knowing I am gay) asked me a question about a sexual preference of gay women, and I asked him how the hell he knew enough about our supposed preferences to ask me that. I guess he caught me by surprise and my answer was a reflex. His face went deep crimson and the subject went no further.
I guess my real point here is that to my mind there are only two categories of children’s questions – successes and failures. I know that is a result-based categorisation and depends on MY response rather than the merits of the question, but what I mean is that a ‘success question’ is one which gets you somewhere and a ‘failure question’ is one which doesn’t.
Maybe I ought to categorise the answers instead.
Sharp said:
haha nice post.. I laughed :’)
Floor register said:
Lovely baby and happy family!!
sally said:
kids always have many questions, and they have strong curiosity.
Front doors said:
Very nice article here thanks for sharing
douryeh said:
‘Sometimes I think it is a means to test the mental agility and stamina of a parent.’
It often is. @D
Rent Toronto said:
Yes it is very true that, kids are question bags and will never leave you until they get all their answers. So kids are the best time pass some times.
nmaha said:
Ah! ‘Why’ing, as we call it here, can really humble, delight and frustrate a parent. I love the categories, they cover everything.
Can’t help but love the buns one 🙂
Congrats on your blog being freshly pressed.
yes bristol is cool said:
i totally agree these questions are frustating at times and can also be lovable and funny while expressed
metan said:
My kids are full of questions. Often having to come up with intelligent answers has made me think more clearly about something myself. If I don’t have the answer my standard delaying tactic is ‘hmmm, good question. What do you think the answer could be?’ This often buys enough time to think of something plausible! We do often come home and pull out the books and look things up though. Sometimes I will fake not knowing so they have to look it up themselves and tell me. The standard delaying tactic also works when the question is something you might be a bit too reactive about. It helps you to see what the real intent behind the question is, as it is generally not the kids trying to upset you! Great post and congrats on being fresh pressed.
rastelly said:
The best question I ever asked my parents seems to
be when my father’s boss had the Avant – guard fashon
sence to wear a trench coat. “Daddy.” I said. “Why is
that man wearing a bath robe?” They tell me that at least
on him, it really did resemble a bath robe, and I had
spoken their minds.
youcanstayhome said:
This was so funny and true. I loved your line: “I understand that this is an effort to understand why and how everything around them works, at least, that is what I have been told. Sometimes I think it is a means to test the mental agility and stamina of a parent.”
So true! My two year old has been wearing me out with, “what’s that?” Pointing at things he knows very well what they are. When it doesn’t end all day long you think he must just be trying to wear you out! However, it’s probably really his version of a why question and, as someone commented, and attempt at conversation and a relationship so I really need to work on my patience. Great post!
Jessica said:
Love. I’m pregnant with my first…and reading things like this make me that much more excited!!
alastor993 said:
great post!
nik said:
great read, here 🙂
interesting….
what really tickles my fancy, as a father of 2 boys aged 14 and 12, i’m surprised and intrigued how other parents/people question a lot and even find weird & annoying, is why the kids ask questions and/or don’t listen to them.
why is That a huge mystery to them? weren’t we all kids ourselves before? what Was OUR reasons for not listening/disobeying/challenging our folks?
same deal…. and regradless how well we raise our kids, they will always, just how we did, ask questions and/or counter what we say….
anyways 🙂 great read … kids are full of questions.If I don’t have the answer, my auto-delaying approach is “good question there: What do you think the answer could be?.. and why do think/say That?…”. at least i cgave them a chance to contribute to a better solution, benefiting, hopefully, me & my kid(s).
apparently, Often having to come up with intelligent answers has made me think more clearly about something myself…
Jack said:
awesome banner!
Pingback: Life, The Universe, And Everything Part 1 « studentmamacook
butras said:
Discovered your blog on Freshly pressed..
Surprising post, I am delighted! I enjoy it.
hiit
Redeker said:
Legendary post, I enjoy this spectacular site,I found you along freshly pressed!
Please do check my personal fascinating training blog.
Ringelheim said:
Wonderful post, please do post more posts.
realanonymousgirl2011 said:
Ah so funny! I can’t wait till my daughter is old enough for that. Although this reminds me of when a client of mine told me when she was changing her bra in front of her young daughter and had bent over. Well your boobs kinda hang at an unflattering angle so her daughter proceeded to say,”When I grow up I want my boobies to be as long as yours.” Awww, how sad, huh?
farmville cheats said:
I like Your Article about The Three Types of Questions Kids Ask Yes, I Said Minnesota Perfect just what I was searching for! .
Yes I Said Minnesota said:
Reblogged this on Breaking Through and commented:
Originally posted by me at yssisaidminnesota.wordpress.com
Michaelalums said:
wh0cd985490 sildenafil