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Minothor t1_j1rfk0r wrote

I have to disagree with this, I like to see it as an opportunity for learning.

I ended up taking my little brother through the water cycle as a toddler using analogues he could relate to - such as steam from a kettle or pot as well as condensation on a cold window.

We got through it by the time we arrived at his preschool and he never asked why it rained again and all through his childhood, he knew that I'd talk to him seriously and answer his questions.

He's now a fan of theoretical physics, and studying towards that end at uni.

Nurture their curiosity, no matter how weird or trollish it may seem.

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SalamiSteakums t1_j1ssz0y wrote

Thats all well and good until youre annoyed by the 1,367th "Why"? Sometimes you just want them to stop asking why...

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sortaangrypeanut t1_j1tijja wrote

Is it possible to set a time to push these questions back? Like, answer the questions when you can, but if it gets too tiring is it possible to go "okay, write down your questions, and at dinner we can go through 3 of them?"

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Minothor t1_j1tvfwg wrote

Been there and I know. I'd usually aim to steer it towards becoming a loop and then point out that I'd answered that question and start getting mock worried that if his memory was that poor, he clearly wasn't getting enough sleep!

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Too_Old75 t1_j1svk54 wrote

Except when they're asking why to be a PITA. (Usually when I am telling them the need to do a chore or something similar).

But my go-to, when their "why's" are insincere, is to respond with, "Because, that's why."

That usually kills it.

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Minothor t1_j1tv37k wrote

Fair enough, I always answered until it reached a loop and then I'd point out that I'd answered that already. Then start ignoring any repeats or suggest that if their memory was that bad, they clearly needed longer naps or less sugar. That usually worked without appearing to give them the win of me losing my temper or speaking down to them.

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BrainGiggles t1_j1t7c0i wrote

You sound like a great older sibling! Here’s to always you being you! Cheers!

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Minothor t1_j1twrxd wrote

No, I could be an asshole too...

When he was complaining about all of us working in the garden, saying "I'm Booooored!", I handed him a pile of vines and asked him put them in the compost.

A few minutes later, a cry of "aargh!" as he lifted the lid and fled with the fruit-flies formed a micro locust swarm around him.

My excessively chipper "Well, at least you're no longer bored!" was met with a shivver and "Byeurk!" of disgust.

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