The Why Game

Elowyn- “Rawr”

Mama- “oh Elowyn I’m so sorry but I can’t play the dinosaur game right now”

Elowyn- “why baba?”

Mama- “I’m in a long dress and I can’t run very well”

Elowyn- “why!”

Mama- “because Kassie said I had to wear a long dress.”

Elowyn-“why?”

Mama-“because Kassie is getting married.”

Elowyn-“why”

Mama- “Because Kassie and Pedro are in love”

Elowyn- “Oooh. Ok”

This was one of the many back and forth conversations Elowyn and I have had over the last few weeks. I did not think she would be asking me why already and seriously all the time.

We were at The Park of Rose’s getting wedding pictures done and Elowyn wanted to play a game she made up. She says “rawr” and I say “what’s that?” She says “trex…hurry…run!” And we run. I almost never tell her no, even though running is my least favorite thing to do ever. But this day I was in a long dress walking down a hill and holding Elowyns hand who was also in a long dress. So instead we played the why game.

I think if it wasn’t for Bluey this would drive me absolutely insane. What’s Bluey you ask? Only the best show ever! Even if you don’t have kids I suggest watching it.

This show makes me want to be a better person and a better parent. In one episode the Mom, Chilli is trying to get Bluey and Bingo (her two kids) out the door to go on a play date. They are not cooperating and she is getting frustrated. At one point Bluey asks her Mom why they need to leave, and she says because they are going to be late. I don’t remember the exact words so I won’t try and quote it but I learned two amazing things from this episode.

One, the mom was anxious because she didn’t want her friend to be upset with her for being late. And she explained that to Bluey. What I took from this, it’s ok…more than ok to explain to your children how you are feeling and why. This will help them empathize with you and other people and learn to share their own feelings.

Two, they seemed to have a game of sorts. Bluey kept asking why and Chilli kept coming up with answers but at the very end she couldn’t think of anything and said Bluey won. So now it is my goal to never lose the why game to Elowyn. This makes it so much fun! Now Jack plays this too.

Last night when he was giving Elowyn a bath he said “we have to wash out your hair” and of course Elowyn said “why?” His initial response was “because I said so” then I hear a pause and he says “nope that’s not a good answer. We have to wash your hair to get the soap out.” “Why?” “Because we have to get your hair clean…” and on and on. I’m not sure who “won” because I was doing tummy time with Emelia and stopped focusing on what they were saying, but I know for a fact doing this lets our whole family win. It makes something that would normally be a bit annoying and frustrating into something fun and challenging. So thank you Chilli Heeler for once again teaching me how to be a better parent!