Penny is coming up on her 3rd birthday - june 9th - only a few weeks from now. And, although she is really very sweet and I love being her nanny, she has acquired this awesome new habit of asking questions about everything. I know some of you are thinking that it is just her child-like wonder and that I should be happy that she is curious... But trust me - if you were the one standing in line behind a large balding man at Trader Joe's when Penny yelled out "Hey Emily, why doesn't that lady have any hair?" - you would be asking the same thing. Do 3 year olds ever stop asking questions? And yes, she is also having trouble mixing up "he" and "she"- which can add to the embarrassment.
I like to try to give her a quick answer when we're in public, but she just asks questions about my answer. Here are some examples of our recent conversations: (and remember that these are asked very loud and often in front of the person she is talking about)
Also at Trader Joe's:
Why does that lady have such a big bum? (Me: she doesn't Penny. She is really pretty)
Why is she really pretty? (Me trying to change the subject: She has flowers on her dress. Do you like flowers? Maybe we could pick some out)
Why should we pick some flowers out? (Me: we could put them in the vase at home)
Actually, I think it's time to go. (Me: I just have to get a few groceries before we go)
Why are you getting that? - (She said that about every thing I put in the cart until it finally was time to go.)
During our last visit to Target:
Why is that baby crying? (Me: I don't know. Maybe he's sad)
Why is he sad? (Me: Maybe he wants to take a nap)
Is the mommy being mean to him? (Me: I don't think so Penny. Sometimes babies are just sad)
Why do babies get sad? ................
During our last playdate with their next door neighbors:
Why is this house so messy? (Me: I think they just have a lot of toys they want to share with us)
Why do you think they don't have a toy box? (Me: They probably do. But we are here to play with Kate. Why don't you ask Kate what she wants to play with) ..............
To Kenneth last Friday during our lunch at Panera:
Why do you have a sandwich? (K: I like sandwiches and it's lunchtime)
Why is it lunchtime? (K: It's the middle of the day. Aren't you hungry for lunch?)
What's that? (said as she proceeded to touch every item in Kenneth's Lunch)
Why are you drinking your drink? (K: Because I'm thirsty)
Why are you thirsty? etc.. etc... etc...
The questioning continues as we read books as well. Every page.. every sentence.. Who's that? Why is he doing that? Where's this? I have a question? How long will it take before I am crazy?
Do you think she's EVER going to stop asking questions??
4 comments:
argh. i'm not looking forward to this stage.
Ha ha! I love the lady with the big bum at Trader Joes. Glad it's not just my kids!! Just think --- when some day it is your own kids, you will just sigh and think, oh yeah, I remember this stage. . .
Maybe you should tell her that I'm the best. Then when she asks you why I'm the best, you can expound upon all my various facets of awesomeness. Maybe if you say enough, she'll be sad she asked and she'll stop asking so much. Or she'll just realize how cool I am. Either way, it's a win.
yeah, I know what you mean. What are you going to tell her when she asks...
Why is that man holding a sign in the road with no shoes on?
Why does daddy hit mommy? (probably not relevant)
Where do babies come from?
Why is that dog giving the other dog a ride?
Why are Telletubies so creepy?
Why can't I take candy from that old man in the park?
Where did our sick goldfish go?
What's a pee-pee?
etc, etc, etc.
Good luck with all those questions.
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