"why?""because I said so.""but why?""because.""why?"PLEASE! For my SANITY! Stop asking me why!"why?"
Not a quote but a charming moment in time that reminds me of my place as Mother. I was cooking dinner last night and the baked macaroni came out steaming hot. My son looked at the steam and said "Mommy, what's that?" What's that? A TEACHING MOMENT, that's what! My inner chemist writhed in joy as I switched to my Lecture (tm) voice and started to speak. "Honey, that's steam. Remember when we talked about ice, water and steam? That's a gas." "What's a gas?" (more happy writhing internally) "A gas is something that expands to fit it's container and does not seek its own level..." Yes. I really said this to a 5 year old. "Now look, honey, water is different. (I pull out a glass and open the tap) See how the water fills the container too, but doesn't rise up? It seeks its own level." He's watching me with a focused expression. I mistake this for interest and wind up for the triumphant finish. "Remember that ice is solid water, and liquid water will fill a cup. Now you see gaseous water is steam and it will fill the whole room! Do you understand?" Nod. "So do you know what gas is now?" Sincere nod. "So you tell me, honey, what is gas?" "It's farts. Mommy, pull my finger!"