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Sorry what? Just say friction?

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

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.

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

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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I do my best to explain to my kid all day long. They love the conversation. But you have to mix it up by asking them “Why do you think?” Sometimes they already have the answer and sometimes they come up with crazy ideas.

I have no idea why you’re saying “Friction.” Doesn’t seem very helpful.

Why?

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.

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!

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.

Are you fucking stoned?

Doesn’t sound helpful for a curious child, there’s much much better ways to handle that.

Friction.

What you have just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.