Originally published April 2010

My son and daughter are both still at the ‘Why?’ age. However they recently gave me a taste of my own medicine. When asked why they were pretending to be hamsters in the imaginary game they were playing the 3-year-old answered, ‘Oh, just because!”

This made me wonder, am I killing their curiosity? And got me thinking about the absurd things I say to stop the incessant questions.

Why?
Because I told you not to.
Why?
Because it was your turn yesterday.
Why?
Because you need to learn to share.
Why?
Because your mother said so.
Why?
Because she knows best.
Why?
Because you can’t always get your way.
Why?
Because we’re not made out of money.
Why?
Because money doesn’t grow on trees.
Why?
Because you can’t have everything.
Why?
Because.
Why?
JUST BECAUSE.