Always ask "why?"

February 21, 2010

Dear Sophie Madeline,

Today you asked me "why?" and I gave you the best answer I could. Why couldn't you sit on the arm of the couch? Because you might fall off and hurt yourself. "Why?" you asked. "Because if you fall from that high up, it would hurt and then Mommy would be sad," I said. "Oh," you replied. You asked me "Why?" so many times today. It's a new thing for you to ask why. We took a few photos in the afternoon and when I asked you to sit down and play with your bunny you asked "why?" and then again when I told you to jump in place. You've been very good at following directions and every parent wants that, but I also want you to ask "why?"...Why? you may ask - because asking why is important in this life. You will learn more from others and from each situation if you ask "why?" and you will learn more about yourself. If you ask yourself why you do things, why you respond to things a certain way, why you feel certain things...you will be a better person for it. Ask this important question as much as you can. I may get frustrated sometimes when I have to answer it multiple times in just a few minutes, but I want you to ask. Really. And I want you to keep asking. Ask your teachers, ask your family, your friends, and yourself.

I love you,

Mommy