Why

We've entered the "Why" phase. I thought that it would be gradual. I thought that there would be a why here and there. I thought that she would be content with simple answers to simple questions. I was incorrect.

Often times, it comes at opportune moments. Times when it doesn't really matter how many times we answer the why.
"Come on honey, we need to put on your jacket."
"Why?"
"Because we're going to walk Suki, and it's gold outside."
"Why?"
"Because Suki needs to pee and poop, and there is a low pressure front coming in from the north that is pushing some of the cool air off of one of the Great Lakes."
"Why?"
By this time, the jacket is on. We're hoping the outdoors will end the questions.

Sometimes, it comes at inopportune moments. Times when it really does matter how many times we answer the why.
"Ok honey, Daddy's going to leave now." The lights are off. I've returned for the one time that I've said I'm going to return. She needs to go to sleep. She needs to go to sleep.
"Why?"
"It's late honey, and you need to go to sleep."
"Why?"
"Because you're tired, and you're sick, and you need to rest." Even sick, she has a mental advantage over us because of sleep deprivation. Usually, when there is a need to end the "why" barrage quickly, we answer with too many options. I've fallen into the trap again.
"Why?"
"Which one honey?"
"Why?"

Recently, I've realized a wonderful solution. For people who have thought they've prepared for the why phase, they think they'll be cunning and turn the why back on the asker. This may work for older whyers, but for the young ones, they just ask again.

"Why?" the child will say.
"Why do you think?" is your reply with a crooked smile.
"Why?" and checkmate.

The solution is in the question, but one must change the course of the question. A two year old doesn't really understand how to answer a why question, but Tahlia is empathetic, and so we play to her strengths.

"We need to be quiet honey."
"Why?"
"Because Asher is sleeping."
"Why?"
"Because he's a little baby and you want him to be rested don't you?"
"Yeah," and the conversation moves in another direction.