Single Dad Advice: The Question ‘Why’
July 13th, 2007 by FuzzWhen your child is old enough to speak, he or she will ask you the word, “why,” about 90-gazillion times. It can get frustrating, but she’s only trying to learn what you know. …and sometimes she’s trying to test her boundaries.
I found that the absolute best way to put an end to the question, “why,” is to answer the first “why” with such an intricate answer that she won’t want to ask you “why” again for fear that you might bore her to death.
Bad Example:
Dad: “Please get off of the coffee table.”
Toddler: “Why?”
Dad: “Because I said so.”
Toddler: “Why?”
Dad: “Because you’ll get hurt.”
Toddler: “Why?”
Dad: “Because if you fall you’re going to hit your head.”
Toddler: “Why?”
– See what I mean??????????? Ugh!
Good Example:
Dad: “Please get off of the coffee table.”
Toddler: “Why?”
Dad: “Because if you don’t get off of the table right now, the wood will probably break and you will probably fall and hit your head on the window sill. Then daddy will have to put you in the car and drive you 23 miles to the nearest hospital (note: that means the nearest hospital that’s name doesn’t start with “Beaver Dam”) where we will have to sit and wait for the doctor to see you and then he’ll have to sew your head back together with fishing line and a big scary needle.”
Your mileage may vary, but for my daughter that is enough for her to shrug her shoulders and move on. You answer all of the questions before they’re answered, and your conversation goes from 90-questions down to one.
You’re welcome.
July 13th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Why?
July 13th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
“Please get off of the coffee table”
“Why?”
“Because if I have to remove you forcibly you won’t enjoy it.”
Worked pretty well with Emrack, and he turned out OK.
July 13th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
This works for us Non-Single dads too, I just used it!
July 13th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Most of my stuff works for married dads, but I figure I’d lay the tips out there for guys who might be looking for ideas and don’t want to turn to their ex.
July 13th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Ya know, you’re getting pretty good at this stuff!
July 14th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Haha.
I think you have something Fuzz. You can also take a tip from Dennis Leary:
“I’ve got kids, I love my kids. I try to bring them up the right way, not spanking them. I find that I don’t have to spank them. I find that waving the gun around pretty much gets the same job done!”
July 14th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
That is funny shit claude!