Mommy…
Why is the sky blue?
Why don’t animals talk?
Why are the leaves changing colors?
I’m not great at initiating conversation. But give me a question and I’ll easily answer it. When my kids ask me something, I always try to answer. Especially something science-related — while I could never be an actual teacher, I love explaining things in a way my kids can understand (or admitting “I don’t know, but let’s look it up together!”).
Some of their why questions, however, are frustrating…
Why do I have to pick up these toys right now?
Why can’t I go play at their house?
Why are we having spaghetti for dinner again?
I hate the “because I said so” answer. I think my kids deserve more explanation than that, especially as they get older and can understand and reason logically with me. But ugh.
And then there are the heart-wrenching why questions…
Why is my teacher’s mom so sick?
Why did my friends want to play with me yesterday but not today?
I give them a hug and try to come up with an answer. I really do. Sometimes I mess it up, sometimes I explain more than they need to know. But at least I try to answer.
I want to always be someone my kids can come to, with questions of any kind.
31Days of Five Minute Free Writes is a participation in Write31Days, which takes place every October. See the rest of my craft-practicing posts linked up here.
You sound like a great teacher to me! Moms (and/or dads) are a child’s’ most important teacher, in my opinion. Children have so many questions, don’t they? Great post!
Aww thanks! 🙂