Question:
You’re lucky. 
My daughter started a little before 2.5 and hasn’t stopped yet (she’s 7). *sigh* Even though it can be annoying, I hope she never stops asking why. Anyway, a couple of things you can do to minimize the annoyance factor are… 1. When he asks you ‘why’ ask him ‘Why do *you* think that happens?’ (Especially if you think he knows the answer already – that type of ‘why’ is my least favorite.) 2. Encourage him to formulate better questions. Say, "I don’t understand what you’re asking, can you think of a better way to ask that question?" or just plain "Why what?" Somehow, "why are those bees over there?" is easier to deal with than just "why?" I had a telling conversation with my daughter one day when she was 5. Me (frustrated after the billionth why): Why do you always ask why? Her: Because I’m a kid Mom, if I don’t ask questions, I’ll never learn anything. Point taken. Good luck! -Alexis > My 3 and a half year old son is driving me nuts He has recently entered > the stage where he asks "why" all the time. And if you tell him why he will > ask again. Today he was taking his basketball hoop into his room from > outside and he had left his jacket in the middle of the hallway. I told him > to be careful not to trip over it. And he asks "why". I wonder why! It > goes on all day…why are you doing this ….why….why…why.. I don’t want > to ignore him but I get so frusterated. How do you deal with this? > — > Christy
Response:
This used to frustrate me, too, but it is a stage that many children go through. When I was growing up there was a commercial on TV of a child repeatedly asking his mother, "Why is the sky blue?" I forget what they were advertising, but that question still sticks in my mind. I think the solutions to this problem can depend on the reason behind the "Why? Sometimes, I think that the why can be smart-alecky. For instance, Parent: "Honey, please bring in your dirty glass and plate from the family room." Child: "Why?" My response in that case would be "Because I asked you to!" Sometimes, the why can be a genuine search for information. For instance, Parent: "Leaves turn colors and fall in Autumn" Child: "Why?" My response in that case might be, to say "Why don’t we go to the library this afternoon and try to find the answer to that question" or I would explain the process to the child in words he could understand. (Another tactic might to explain the process in such long-winded and excruciating detail that the child will think twice before asking a question like that again – but that might squelch his intellectual curiosity, and I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are desperate) Sometimes, I think the why can be a habit – sort of a conversational crutch. For instance, Parent: "We are going to visit Grandma this afternoon." Child: "Why?" In these cases you might respond, "Can you guess why?" That throws the conversational ball back into his court. Good luck! Margaret
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My 3 and a half year old son is driving me nuts He has recently entered >the stage where he asks "why" all the time. And if you tell him why he will >ask again. Today he was taking his basketball hoop into his room from >outside and he had left his jacket in the middle of the hallway. I told him >to be careful not to trip over it. And he asks "why". I wonder why! It >goes on all day…why are you doing this ….why….why…why.. I don’t want >to ignore him but I get so frusterated. How do you deal with this? >– >Christy
Your Own
Response:
> My 3 and a half year old son is driving me nuts He has recently entered > the stage where he asks "why" all the time. > — > Christy
We are growing out of that stage at the moment. After answering all her questions over and over, I turned the question around and asked her what she thought was the answer. We had and have some great conversations this way. Your example of the coat would go something like this: me:Honey, your coat is on the floor, pick it up please. S.:Why? me:Well, why do you think you should pick it up? S.:uhm…..someone might fall? Or: If I walk over it it gets footsteps all over it! Or any other answer your child can come up with. Sometimes their answers are truly amazing and surprising! — Mariet, mom to Suzanne (12/6/93) and Birgit (9/18/96)
Response:
>My 3 and a half year old son is driving me nuts He has recently entered >the stage where he asks "why" all the time. And if you tell him why he will >ask again. Today he was taking his basketball hoop into his room from >outside and he had left his jacket in the middle of the hallway. I told him >to be careful not to trip over it. And he asks "why". I wonder why! It >goes on all day…why are you doing this ….why….why…why.. I don’t want >to ignore him but I get so frusterated. How do you deal with this? >–
When I’ve answered every "why" he can through at me and I’m finally down to "I don’t know", that’s when my 3 year old stops. Kendra — Proud to be "Outlandish"! http://members.aol.com/klussery (UPDATED) — "If a man speaks in the forest, & there isn’t a woman around to hear him: Is he still wrong?" —
Response:
Every kid goes through this phase and it drives every parent nuts, so at least you’re not alone! 
Best way I’ve found is to answer the reasonable questions as best you can, trying to keep your patience, and when it gets ridiculous, like your example of the coat in the hallway, use the old switcheroo technique: You – Let’s put your coat on. Child – Why? You – Because it’s cold outside. Child – Why? You – Why are you asking? While the kid’s trying to figure that one out, change the topic and ask him a question. Deep down, this ‘whywhywhy’ phase is not just about getting information, it’s about engaging you in conversation and feeling the power and comfort of being able to get a response from you. So, go with the flow and get your child talking about things you’d like him/her to think about or understand. And remember the golden phrase of parenthood – "it’s just a phase". In times of frustration, say it over and over again until your teeth unclench. ~ Speakeasy
Response:
He asks "why" for a couple of reasons. One, he is brand new, and honestly doesn’t understand the way that the world works. Additionally, he finds it facinating that there is some order to things, and if he asks questions about it, there’s a wealth of info on the subject. A third reason is that asking why can become a game. All he has to say is why, and you turn into a rattling teakettle of chatter. I believe that it would be fair to set a limit on the number of "why’s" he asks in a row. It’s also fair to say no if you don’t want to explain it at the time.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My 3 and a half year old son is driving me nuts He has recently entered >the stage where he asks "why" all the time. And if you tell him why he will >ask again. Today he was taking his basketball hoop into his room from >outside and he had left his jacket in the middle of the hallway. I told him >to be careful not to trip over it. And he asks "why". I wonder why! It >goes on all day…why are you doing this ….why….why…why.. I don’t want >to ignore him but I get so frusterated. How do you deal with this? >– >Christy
Response:
My 3 and a half year old son is driving me nuts He has recently entered the stage where he asks "why" all the time. And if you tell him why he will ask again. Today he was taking his basketball hoop into his room from outside and he had left his jacket in the middle of the hallway. I told him to be careful not to trip over it. And he asks "why". I wonder why! It goes on all day…why are you doing this ….why….why…why.. I don’t want to ignore him but I get so frusterated. How do you deal with this? — Christy
Response:
Also after answereing why questions I turn it back and ask why not or try to beta them at asking why. You get some pretty imaginative responses!! Amanda – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > alt.parenting.solutions: > My 3 and a half year old son is driving me nuts He has recently entered > the stage where he asks "why" all the time. And if you tell him why he will > ask again. Today he was taking his basketball hoop into his room from > outside and he had left his jacket in the middle of the hallway. I told him > to be careful not to trip over it. And he asks "why". I wonder why! It > goes on all day…why are you doing this ….why….why…why.. I don’t want > to ignore him but I get so frusterated. How do you deal with this? > I had a niece who did the same thing. I handled it by answering her > questions once, then saying "I’ve already answered you", and if she kept > up I would *then* ignore her. Of course, I didn’t live with her either > and I’m wondering if I really want my son to learn to talk after all. > — > Zombiie & "The Boy" (7/16/97) > reply to: pyaray at newsguy dot com
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