My son never stops talking....

[KatWrangler]

and asking questions. I know I know, thats good. But some of the things he asks me I have no idea how to answer. Is there like a cheat sheet for sleep deprived stressed out parents can refer to?

How do Mommy and Daddy fish make baby fish?

Where does shower water come from?

How do elevators work? So I said cables pull the elevator up and down. He says where do the cables come from?

I try to answer simply and it opens a can of worms and it he just not satisfied with my answer.

This is coming from the child that draws his train track layout on paper and then goes build it.

Sigh....

Help.

[kohlby]

I tell my son that we'll look it up on the computer when we get home. (Or go and look it up if we get a chance then). I've also heard of saying "that's a good a question" and writing it down on a piece of paper. Then on a designated day, like Thursdays, you go through the questions. That cuts down on the running to the computer if he's asking too many questions!

Luckily, my DH is an engineer (with degrees in both mechanical and electrical) so I defer to him if I know I can't explain it the right way. My son wants the very detailed very scientific reasons. I know it takes a lot more to give those explanations, but I must say that's it's priceless when I hear him explain things to his 2 year old sister in the same manner!

[KatWrangler]

My husband is a Landscape Architect. So he does know alot of technical stuff like your hubby.

Thats an excellent idea about writing it down.

[gingerstar]

I say "let's check the internet" a lot, but I also like to kick it back to them, especially with a bright curious child - "I'm not completely sure; what do you think?" That really gets them thinking, and the answers are often priceless. Plus it sounds to me like you have one who likes to figure things out, and you really want to encourage that, the habit of wrestling with a problem, rather than just having an answer handed to them, y'know?

I love the idea of writing the questions down - what about setting aside a notebook, where you can write the questions, along with the answers you find?

I have to giggle; it sounds like you have quite the interesting life unfolding for both of you!

[KyleAnn]

No real helpful suggestions, there are plenty of times when we have to look answers up because ds comes up with some doozies...

I guess you can consider yourself lucky this way-my ds asks questions alllll the time about random things and after I give him a good answer/explanation he then tries to pick apart my reply and tell me why I am wrong. LOL A little lawyer in the making?
Sometimes it is just too much-I could tell the kid the sky is blue, the grass is green and he'll debate why I am wrong....those are the times when I get frustrated and blurt out, "well if you know everything, then why are you asking me?" (bad mommy...)

[LynnS6]

"You know, I don't know? Where do you think we could find information about ...."

Visit the non-fiction section of your library more often. There are books on bridges, tunnels, sewer systems, etc.

Keep a question journal to take with you to the library. "Remember, we had questions about... let's see if we can find a book about that at the library."

(Caveat: some books are better than others. The ones with the really INTERESTING answers are usually aimed at 9-12 year olds, so you might have to get the books and do some interpretation for him. The ones aimed at 5-6 year olds never contained enough facts to satisfy my curious guy.)

And this does seem to be a feature of a 5 year old. It's what my sister calls the "verbal diarrhea" stage!

[OakBerry]

My 6 year old is in the "verbal diarrhea (lol)" stage too.
Some days I think I'm going to lose my mind!!
Yesterday he had a high fever and it was so quiet, it was spooky.

[KatWrangler]

He just drives me crazy. He will bombard me with questions from his third row seat while I am driving. He drives me so crazy with questions sometimes I feel like my driving is impaired.

[MommaFox]

DS1 has been speaking since about 4 months. "Doggie" "Flag" and "light" all came at about the same time, followed quickly by "Read book please" and "I'll do it myself" He hasn't been quiet since. And if he's not pontificating on the finer points of great white sharks and high-precipitation tornadoes, he's sitting in his room playing cars just going "blee-blee blah-blah, rubber bumbly!" It never stops. From the time the sun rises until he falls asleep. It's a real problem at school. Everyone marvels at how articulate he is, and theyre right. But I just want a break sometimes ya know? I think he likes the sound of his own voice. If your ds is like mine, the questions will lead to statements which lead to lectures and performances. I dont habe any suggestions. Just lots and lots of sympathy.

[punchy]

I have a daughter like this. Here's how I feel about it: I love it I hate it I love it I hate it I love it I hate it. The thoughtful questions and comments that pop up inbetween the nonsense are delightful and inspiring, but my god child, take. a. break. Some days it seems like her body moves as quickly as her mind and I just want to crawl back into bed. OakBerry I know what you mean about the eerie silence an illness brings. DP and I are always a smidge nostalgic when she's back to herself again.

[boatbaby]

I have one of these - maybe we should get them together and let them talk each other in circles!?

I always answer - "What do you think?"

Here are some of our latest questions...

"When was love invented?"

"What's at the end of the universe? Can I be the first scientist to go there and report back to everyone?"

"How do you invent a language?"

"Who was the first person on earth?"

"Can volcanoes erupt from ice?"

"How much salt would I have to add to the ocean to make it as floaty as the Dead Sea?"

"Can I buy some metal at the hardware store and turn Majestic (our boat name) into an ice breaker boat so we can sail in winter time?"


*sigh*