this post was submitted on 13 Nov 2025
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I see you have not recently interacted with a toddler in the "why" phase.
I work with kids, including a bright little boy who told me that "Why?" is his favorite question. I explicitly tell him that I hope he never stops asking it. His questions challenge the depths of my knowledge and compel me to look up questions I never thought of before. I love it.
I call him my "little scientist." He's only 4 and he teaches my coworkers new things all the time. I feel so lucky to get to work with a little knowledge-sponge that's as curious as I am!
"Hmm, I'm not sure honey - why do you think metal stick to magnets? Maybe there are some books at the library we can read to find out more..."
I generally say things like "it's complicated, but let's see if we can find out.". Unfortunately when my daughter said "Why are your parents divorced," I had to leave it at "It's complicated." Basically, magnets.
"Sweetie, there's just no easy way to say it: your MeeMaw is an unrepentant cock goblin. Wait, I guess that was pretty easy, actually! Sleep well, pumpkin!"
But once again, those will explain how, not why.
I read somewhere that a good response is: why do you think?
The secret to this, which works on all children, mine included, is to turn it and ask them what they think. Leads to more fun answers as well. Not right, but fun.
Are you able to answer all their why questions satisfactorily? No? Then that's where they reach an end...
Taking it all the way back to OP's meme. Love it.