“why?” is one of those childhood sayings/questions that ranks right up there with “no” and “i don’t wanna”…and when your toddler starts wielding the word at every single, little, insignificant point throughout the day, you’ll do just what i did–beg for mercy…

just the other day, we (the family) were headed out the door to celebrate one of our cousin’s birthdays and this is what went down…

my wife: jack, put your coat on please. 

jack: why?

my wife: because we’re going to the car.

jack: why?

my wife: because we’re going to uncle bruce’s.

jack: why?

my wife: because it’s mary’s birthday.

jack: why?

my wife: because  21 years ago she was born.

jack: why?

my wife: because that’s what happened and we celebrate birthdays in our family.

jack: why?

my wife: ugh!

this went on for a little while longer until my wife put my son in a choke-hold and carried him to the car (just kiddin’)…but, we did think about it–and i get it, his brain is developing…he’s a little sponge–sucking up every little ounce of information he can…he’s also sucking the mother-lovin’ life out of us with these questions 🙂

the CIA should really look into hiring toddlers–to give suspected terrorists the ‘why treatment’…so, why are you in the u.s.?  because i’m a student; why are you a student? because i am training for a job?; why are you training for a job? because i want to make money and provide for my family?; why do you want to make money and provide for your family? so that they will have a comfortable life; why do you have all this money in your bank account if you’re a student and are training for a job to make money? forget it, i’m a terrorist! (case closed)…

and, no matter how tough you are…nobody can stand up to this treatment forever…everybody breaks, eventually…

think i’m exaggerating?! take a look at this classic clip from louis ck (this bit is on the profane side of life)…