I can't stand it!

[logic]

Ds has reached the age (just off 3rd birthday) when he is asking the same questions over and over again paying no attention to the answers. I try and be helpful and informative and enthusiastic and reasonable for the first 10-12 questions while slowly losing my patience but eventually I shriek at him like a fishwife. Of course, he then bursts into tears and I feel like a complete cow and Bad Mother. Any tips on dealing with this would be very welcome....

I tried saying 'well what do you think?' so that he had to try & work out the answer for himself. Or ask him a question back !

I start giving silly answers, or asking questions back. It's a frustrating age, but he's just worked out that asking questions means you answer, whether or not he understands the answers is another question.

For example, a boy I knew used to ask, over and over, "What's your name?". After the first few times, I would claim my name was Bob - his name. That threw him right off and stopped it.

my ds - nearly four also does this sometimes. drives you batty, doesn't it?

ditto whizzz!
it really works

if he is asking you "why is the cooker hot?" over and over
just say "why do you think the cooker is hot?"

if it;'s a genuine question it makes him think about it, even if you then give him the answer. and if he is just being irritating then it'll throw him! lol

Yes I did try & make it a bit more of a learning thing.

Of course when it got really annoying then I shrieked like a fishwife !

Thanks, I did try asking him the same question back and he just pauses and starts again 5 mins later. At least I'm not the only one shrieking. Thanks, Whizz, I feel a bit better now.

Also, I meant to say, he only ever asks two questions: What are you doing here? and What's your name? If they were different every time, it wouldn't be so bad!

at least asking him back gives you a bit of variety in your response!

ignoring CAN work. just say... i have told you the answer. if you ask me again i am not answering you.

My dad just used to answer "because..."