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Original poster

Oh no... it can't be... please tell me it's not possible...

36 replies

GordonTheGopher · 24/07/2008 08:18

DS has entered the WHY phase (he's 2.4).

How many years does this last as it only started this morning and I'm losing the will to live.

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 24/07/2008 08:22

Why?

NotQuiteCockney · 24/07/2008 08:23

Sorry, that wasn't helpful.

I never minded the 'why' phase that much. Just answer the question, and if you run out of answers, or get bored, start asking back 'why do you think'.

He's just trying to make conversation, and has worked out a good trick!

chelsygirl · 24/07/2008 08:24

still going strong at 10 - sorry!

scrappydappydoo · 24/07/2008 08:26

Mine dd is on a variation of this 'whats that???' the other day we went round a shop and she was pointing at everything saying 'whats that'
ARRGGHHH!!

Original poster
GordonTheGopher · 24/07/2008 08:43

Oh yes scrappy we've just finished that phase.

Looks like you're in for the WHY phase soon!

OP posts:
Acinonyx · 24/07/2008 10:11

We're in that phase - dd is 3. I thought it would be fun but actually it does my head in!

Hannah81 · 24/07/2008 10:16

DS is 3 and a half and he still does the wholw "why" thing - like notquitecockney, i ask him "why do you think" and it gets him to think for himself, rather than just getting a straight-forward answer. (over and over again) it is annoying, but it's developmental, so you know your LO is doing well!

3littlefrogs · 24/07/2008 10:20

And it is ok to say that you don't know. (As I did, when asked what language ants speak, and how do spiders cross the road .

TotalChaos · 24/07/2008 10:22

still waiting for the why phase at 4.4

minouminou · 24/07/2008 10:28

how do spiders cross the road?
priceless....that's just cracked me up.

Acinonyx · 24/07/2008 10:32

'What noise do ladybirds make'?

I just said it was probably a very small noise..

lyrasilver · 24/07/2008 10:35

My eldest is nearly 14 and still asks why.. before going off in a huff.... so looks like its a long road. Also I have noticed that at around 8 years old the why's get extremely silly, usually about is this starwars or power rangers.

NotQuiteCockney · 24/07/2008 10:37

DS1 is 6. His favourite conversational gambit is 'what is your favourite ...'. Only it's normally something to do with Star Wars or Command and Conquer, or something else I have no other real opinion about ...

lyrasilver · 24/07/2008 10:39

I generally just make something up... its easier that way!

Notquitegrownup · 24/07/2008 10:40

If it is an interesting question, I liked answering whys, but if it is just for the sake of conversation, I used to find that a very earnest answer of: "Because it's Tuesday and the traindriver has radishes in his sandwiches today" illicited a very confused look and ds frequently decided to talk about something else instead.

TheCrackFox · 24/07/2008 11:09

I think the "why phase" lessens once they leve home - only to be replaced with the "need money phase".

Lazycow · 24/07/2008 11:44

I have to say ds did this so much I nearly went insane with it. Every single thing I did or said would be met with a why.

He still does it now but it is nowhere near as bad as it was from 2yrs to just over 3 years old.

I think most children do it, some more than others. Anyway Ds is now 3.8yrs old and as I say he still does it now about 10-15 times a day (sometimes more) but the constant stream of whys (It must have been hundreds of times a day) has stopped - Thank goodness

Shoegazer · 24/07/2008 12:23

We're in the "What's that?" phase too scrappydappydoo its takes a bloody age to get round Sainsburys explaining what everything is. Apparently it also requires being finished with saying my name three times. DD's other favourite is to to point someone out and shout "What's 'im called mummy?" or "What's 'er called mummy?" which I obviously don't know the answer to. I thought I was being clever when I told her to ask, thinking she would be overcome with toddler shyness. Not likely, now she just hollers "What you called?" at the top of her voice. Not looking forward to adding "why?" to the repetoire!

anotherdayyetanothernickame · 24/07/2008 12:30

I quite like it - it's how they learn although I know you know that. Actually I MOSTLY like it...after the 15th why about the same thing it does get a bit tiresome.

It bugs me when he asks the same question I've just answered again.

TJ1976 · 24/07/2008 13:35

My ds is 2.6 yrs old. We do have the odd why mummy? but the latest thing is asking me what the name of each make of car is when we're walking along the road and driving! It drives me around the bend! There is no end to it! I don't even like cars! He is obsessed and would rather read a car magazine than his pepper pig or thomas books! I do have to laugh (wink)

Acinonyx · 24/07/2008 14:20

Dd has a car-fiend friend like that. Dd asks me for the names of things all the time - things that just don't have names!

skidaddle · 24/07/2008 16:38

oh I quite like the why phase [wierd masochistic emotion]

i find giving a clearly wrong answer usually stops the flow (temporarily) as DD self-righteously corrects my ignorance

e.g.
DD: mummy why you making dinner?
ME: because I need to put it in the washing machine
DD: (brief heavenly pause) No you don't put it in washing maching, you eat it
(followed 2nd heavenly pause for reflection)

wulfstan · 24/07/2008 19:27

DS1: what's that?
me:
DS1: what's that?
me:
DS1: what's that?
me: what do you think it is?

Usually works...

Miggsie · 24/07/2008 19:29

We had a rule, you were only allowed 3 "why" on any one topic.
Sanity requires this

allgonebellyup · 24/07/2008 19:32

ds is 4 and is constantly WHY WHY WHY.

Everytime i tell him something, like "oh, i forgot to bring your sister's lunch with us"

"Why?"

"Because i was too busy running around and so i forgot."

"why?"

"cos i am a silly mummy" (please let this be the end of this)

"why?"

i think he just says it automatically without thinking - everytime i comment on anything, he immediately says "why?" without ever listening to my answer.