WhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhy

It's already started. She's not two years' old and already she knows the word why.

She deploys it ruthlessly. At first we thought she didn't really know what she was saying or why she was saying why.

Now I'm convinced she does.

Here's a typical conversation that would have unfolded two weeks ago:

Claire: Claire go outside.
Dad: We can't right now.
Wwhyyy?
Because it's too cold.
Wwhyyy?
Because the sun's down
Whyy?
Because it's night
Why?
Because it's not day
Why?
Go ask your mother.

Or....

Claire go outside
OK, after I use the bathroom.
Why
Because I have to use the bathroom first
Why
Because my bladder's full
Why
Because I drank too much
Why
The world's complicated, Claire, and I was thirsty


Or, worse..
Claire go in bathroom wid ... daddy
No, I need to use the bathroom privately
Why
Because you don't need to be in here with me
Why
Because there are things in here you don't need to see or hear
Why
Go ask your mother


Recently I turned the tables on her (at the table) when she asked me for a "pear, no peel."

C: Claire have pear no peel, daddy
Dad: OK, let me peel a slice first and I'll give you one.
C: Why?
Because you asked for it that way?
Why?
Well, I'd like to know the answer to that question, too, Claire. Why did you ask for a pear with no peel?
To eat it.