Seven Reasons to Not (always) Answer Your Child’s Questions

Childhood questions about facts and philosophy are a bit like childhood requests for small favors.

“Mommy, you have to carry my backpack. It’s too heavy.”

“Daddy, I can’t find my coat. You look for it, please, pretty please?”

Of course you don’t want to ignore your child’s requests or their questions. Some small favors and some questions clearly call for parental follow through, for instance when your child will miss the school bus if you don’t find the coat. Other questions and requests, however, are an opportunity to encourage your child to put out some effort. In the case of certain questions there is often much to be gained from giving the question back to the child just as you might hand her the debatably heavy backpack.

Here are seven reasons you might decide to not answer the next question that comes your way.

1. You want your child to…