I was babysitting a three-year-old on Friday night. A very smart three-year old. He says phrases that kids his age shouldn’t know. I’m pretty sure that while we were talking about the toppings on our pizza he said something like, “I don’t care for peppers.” Do three-year-olds talk like that?
Anyway, the kid’s name is Zach, and he asks a lot of questions. Most of them are the one-word question, “Why?” He doesn’t say it to be defiant; he’s honestly curious.
The first few times he asked me, I was honestly taken aback. I’m not used to people asking me the reason behind every statement I make. Any of you who are moms are probably like, “Yeah, kids say that all the time. It’s like a reflex. It’s not meant to throw you into existential conundrums.”
But alas, I don’t have children, and therefore when someone asks me “Why?” I try to answer the question. Even if the question-asker is three-years-old.
“Tomatoes are red,” I’d say.
“Why?” Zach asks.
I’d pause, thinking hard. “I don’t know.” Should I know? Am I stupid?
The questions get harder.
I might say, “You should love your brother.”
“Why?”
“Because…you should.”
“Why?”
For some of you, the “you should” is good enough, but it isn’t for me. I’ve always had a problem with parents or babysitters who tell kids “no” just because it’s the easy answer–not because the activity is harmful. So I try to have a reason behind the things I tell kids to do.
To be honest, I have an answer for why Zach should love his brother. But it requires some thinking, and it can’t be looked up on Wikipedia like the tomato question.
I then get thinking about other things, as if I will be asked “Why?” for everything. Why do I do the things I do in life? Why do I have certain standards for other people?
Why do I spend time with one friend more than another?
Why don’t I save more money?
Why don’t I save less money?
Listen to the statements you make. Look at the way you spend your time, money, energy. And pretend there’s a three-year-old next to you asking, “Why?”
Take some time to answer the kid. You may surprise yourself with how often you’re speechless. And if you are, take some time to figure out the answer:-)
~Megan
What a cute article, I enjoyed reading that and it's indeed a good thing to reflect on… 🙂
Love, Mary ♡ Fashionbirds
Thanks, Mary! Glad you found it reflection-worthy:-) ~M
What a great post! It's funny, dealing with my Man is sometimes like dealing with a 3 year old. . .he asks why I do things or why I like certain things all of the time. It has forced me to think about things in ways that I've never done before. Even things as simple or trivial as why I like to watch certain trashy reality tv shows. We've also had the discussion that if we decide to have kids, we would always give them a reason or an explanation if we were telling them to do or not to do something.
xo Jenny
http://www.crazystylelove.com
Jenny, I hadn't thought of a guy's behavior being similar to a kid's in that way, but that can be so true! As annoying as the questions can be (usually when we don't have good answers), they help us be intentional with our decisions. It's great that you've agreed on the way you want to raise your kids! I wonder if there's any value in having reasons behind your decisions but not always sharing them with the kid … because sometimes authority figures won't give a reason, and the child should still obey. Hmm…don't know the answer but it's something to think about:-) ~M
This post is a refreshing change & perfect for Sundays!!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Glad you liked it, Rebecca! ~M
Great post. Indeed we all need to take some time and analyze why we do or dont do so many things.
Yep, it's amazing how many things we do without asking the "why" question! ~M
This is such a great post! We do ned to take more time to think about the "why's" of life!
Cute post 🙂 This reminds me I may never be ready for kiddos 🙂
XO
http://www.pearlsandpaws.blogspot.com
Haha, yes, the more I babysit the more I realize what a handful they are. Adorable, but busy! Pretty sure I'm not ready for them just yet either:-) ~M
Love this! Sometimes we all need to think like a kid. 🙂
xo Ashley
http://www.ashnfashn.com