If You’re Drowning in “Whys”… Let’s Talk.

“Why?”
“Okay, but… why?”
“But why though?”

If you’re a parent or caregiver floating in an ocean of “whys” with nothing but a flimsy raft made of “because I said so” — this post is for you.

First: I see you. I am you.
And second: You’re not going to win this one.

See, your child isn’t trying to fight you. They’re not trying to drive you to the edge of your sanity. They’re looking for understanding. And if your answer doesn’t make sense to them, they may still not comply.

And I know what you're thinking:

“They should just listen! I shouldn’t have to explain everything!”

But here’s the truth — especially if your child is neurodivergent or justice-driven — obedience without understanding can feel like betrayal of self.

As a strong-willed adult who remembers being a strong-willed kid, I wasn’t trying to be “difficult.” I just needed to know.
What if what I was being asked to do went against my morals?
What if there was fine print no one mentioned?
What if I was unknowingly agreeing to… I don’t know… puppy murder? (Okay, that’s extreme, but you get the point.)

The more someone demanded, the more I resisted. Not to be rebellious — to feel safe.

Now as a parent of strong-willed kids, I’ve learned this:
Sometimes they ask “why?”
…and I don’t know.
And when that happens, I pause.
Sometimes I take the task off the table.
Sometimes I explain anyway, even if it feels “obvious.”
Because what feels obvious to me might not be to them.

Even if the answer is,

“Because it’s kind.”
That still deserves to be said out loud.

Because understanding builds trust.
And trust is worth more than blind obedience.

Want to keep the convo going? Drop a 🙋‍♀️ if this resonates with you — or if you’ve ever been outmatched by a kid’s “why” game.

#Parenting #StrongWilledKids #NeurodivergentParenting #DaydreamAndDo #GentleParenting #WhyWhyWhy #ExecutiveFunctionSupport