My tween is a curious child and asks a lot of questions. Some of them I can answer easily and some of them just don’t make any sense. I am sometimes clueless about many things which she asks and it is really hard for me to frame an answer. But I surely try to give he ran answer instead of replying with ‘I don’t know.’
Sometimes, if I take more time to reply, the good thing is that she gives an answer to her questions herself too. Her questions are countless and endless and some days there will be so many questions in one day, that I don’t even remember half of them. Here is a one which I remember-
Tween- Mom, Why animals don’t wear spectacles?
Me– I don’t know. Can you tell me why?
Tween– Because they don’t watch TV!
Me- Hmm, I would never have guessed it!
I have always wondered how can she ask me so many questions. And just a 10-minute conversation can sometimes have 20 questions.
Children these days are really curious and cannot seem to get enough information and few of their favourite words are Why, Where, How, When. Sometimes my tweens questions test my parenting skills but I try not to discourage her.
It’s our duty as parents to teach them and guide them properly. I have a habit of giving gyaan about food if my girls are not ready to eat something (I often go into a Dietician mom mode). But they both keep on arguing with me until they are really satisfied. They keep on asking me about fruits and vegetables and I keep on explaining them and the debate never ends.
I also try to ask the question back and it’s a good way to encourage them to think. Ask them, “I don’t know but why do you think so?”
It’s good to be a learning partner of your child and encourage them by saying that it is an interesting question and as mommy doesn’t know the answer, let’s find out together. Already, the school system in our country kills the creativity and curiosity, lets at least try to raise a curious child.
I am writing about Parenting for A to Z challenge and sharing my thoughts as a mother of a teen and a tween. Sharing my personal experiences as a mom and hope to help other moms and also learn from them through this challenge. Read all posts here.
A for Affection
B for Believe
C for Confidence
D for Dance
E for Extracurricular
F for Food
G for Guilty
H for Hacks
I for Independent
J for Joint or Nuclear
K for Kindness
L for Looks
M for Money
N for Nutrition
O for Overprotective
P for Poles apart
April 20, 2017 at 9:57 am
“I don’t know but why do you think so?”is a very good question to ask them back.Honestly speaking I was a constant why /how /what query machine too .I still am.Curiosity is the best too to make the brain grow.Being curious is more important now than ever before.Great tips Deepa.
April 20, 2017 at 11:46 am
Thanks Amrita..glad you liked it 🙂
April 20, 2017 at 11:06 am
As kids, both my daughters were inquisitive. Now as teens, they hardly have any questions. I wonder if thats true with all teenagers, do they seek answers from their peer? I wish I could still arouse their curiosity..can I?
April 20, 2017 at 11:55 am
I agree..my daughters, a tween and a teen also do not ask as many questions as before. I think its because of pressure of studies and many other things as they grow up. Thanks for reading. 🙂
April 20, 2017 at 11:30 am
You have summed it up beautifully.. These are exactly the kind of conversations I have with my daughter. You nailed it when u mentioned about 20 questions in 10 minutes. Nice post??
April 20, 2017 at 11:54 am
Thanks a lot for reading. Glad you liked it. 🙂
April 20, 2017 at 2:04 pm
Asking questions is the first step in developing a curious mind. Children learn to explore and it helps them in making choices later in life. As parents we must encourage rather than ignoring what they have to ask
April 20, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Thanks Ramya
April 20, 2017 at 2:41 pm
Lol @ why animals don’t wear specs!:)))
You are a patient Mom, Deepa. Your daughters are lucky.
April 20, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Thanks Mayuri 🙂
April 20, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Liked your last sentence a lot buddy and the spectacles joke was a killler dear .
April 20, 2017 at 4:29 pm
Thanks Roma
April 20, 2017 at 9:11 pm
I know parents who doesn’t know how to answer their kid’s questions. This is an incredible way! Great post, Deepa!
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April 20, 2017 at 11:44 pm
Thanks Shalini 🙂
April 20, 2017 at 10:56 pm
That’s the best way, Deepa! It’s important to nurture the inquisitiveness in children and that is what makes them curious adults..!!
While sometimes, I’m sure it does gives headache to parents, yet most of the times it’s funny as well to the kind of questions children come up with!
Cheers
BoisterousBee
April 20, 2017 at 11:44 pm
Haha Yes Geet..sometimes I do feel like that. Thanks for reading 🙂
April 21, 2017 at 3:10 pm
Thats such an engaging way to let them think by asking them their questions. I remember asking all sorts of weird questions to my mom and she would get tired by every ongoing second. She had to work alot at the time to make ends meet..so in hindsight, I now understand why she wouldnt answer my questions, but I never stopped asking her. I still do 😀 It keeps life interesting and our brain engaged 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Those are wonderful tips!
Have a look at the character review of this amazing woman Mary, Queen of Scots who lived to fight for her rights!
Regards,
Pikakshi
Readers of the Night
April 21, 2017 at 3:32 pm
Yse Being curious is a great ways of learning. Thanks Pikashi 🙂
April 21, 2017 at 3:52 pm
I totally agree with your statement..Being a mother of a 3 year i do encourage my daughter to ask a lot of questions..I personally think it stimulates their curiosity level and develop think behind the WHY also
April 21, 2017 at 4:18 pm
Thanks Menaka