"Why?" - Kew Gardens,NY

I also agree with Christy Lee. Another idea is to say, "I don't know. Let's find out!" Then you consult the encyclopedia (otherwise known as the Internet).

As annoying as the why-time can be (and it can be a sort of power game), take it with good humor. One of these days DS will not ask you why - he'll tell you why, because he will have decided he already knows everything important!

Try, "What do you think?" or, "What did Mommy tell you when you asked before?"

This is an opportunity to mold his critical thinking skills and strengthen his ability to recall what he's been told. Also, when you don't know....say, "I don't know. What do you think?"

ETA: Also, it's OKAY to tell him that it's time to be quiet for a while instead of allowing him to prattle on. Teaching our children that conversations should end when folks are getting annoyed or overwhelmed or tired is a good lesson. "Hon, let's just be quiet right now. We'll talk more about the bugs after dinner." Or, "Mommy and Daddy are talking about grown up stuff right now, so I need you to wait until snack time to ask more questions, okay?"

Be very careful of making things up or trying to be cute about something they are really trying to understand.

Even a child with a great sense of humor or a very bright child can believe literally everything you tell them. You are their source of the truth at this point.

One thing I used to tell our daughter, if I was not sure of an answer, or just did not know "I like that question, remind me when we get home and we can look that up."

Or, "I am not sure, that sounds like something, dad would know, when you see him tonight, be sure to ask him."

And of course the " Good question, what do you think?" is always excellent. I loved hearing what our daughter was thinking.

B.,

When my kids asked WHY? and it was the first time, I would give them the answer. IF it was the second or third time? I would state "when you asked me this question before, what did I say?" Getting them to think back and use their memory for the answer.

Depending upon what they were asking WHY ?? If it was something about why the clouds are the way they are - we would grab a book and read or hop on the internet and search for the answer....

I love that you are turning the question back to him....get him to think!! Maybe ask him what HE thinks? Maybe ask him why he thinks it works the way it does or whatever applies!

Have fun!!

I answered my kids always the first time. If I didn't know the answer, I told them I didn't know and we tried to find the answer. I always have been honest with my kids though - so when I do make something up they know I'm playing with them. They want to know the truth and that's the reason they ask the "why" questions.

And I agree that it is completely fine to tell them it's time to be quiet. Asking a million "why" questions is not something I am willing to deal with in a day.

Oh--the REALLY fun part is you can say anything!
Just make stuff up!

"It's a mystery."
That's my exasperated I just can't answer any more questions response. weirdly, it worked!
The cutest tho was to hear my two-year-old respond to my questions by saying, "It's a mystewee."

It IS darling! Enjoy it, it won't last. And yeah, make stuff up.

I agree w/what Christy Lee said!

My boys are a little older, but I have found "Why don't you Google it?" works for all kinds of questions.

I tired to answer as much as possible, but when in doubt, I'd let them know we could look it up later. I'd also turn it around as you do and ask them what they think. For us, it wasn't too challenging, more endearing. In fact, try to get some footage of your little curious cat. It would be fun to have that now for mine.