Many days of parenting feel like I’ve only maintained life and made little progress. It’s hard to explain why I’m so tired at the end of some days. But I don’t think we give enough credit to the energy it takes to ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS. They are disparate, frequent, and complex. They come during school drop-off, while at the grocery store, and while using the bathroom. Answering them well- in a way that’s short, simple, yet nuanced enough to offer truth, can be cumbersome.

I recorded as many questions as I could from my 5 and 7-year-old over two days:

What was the silver war about?

How did we win the silver war?

Oh, what does civil mean?

Why are we friends with England now?

What is independence?

Can I have a happy meal?

Is God a boy?

Can I watch tv? (x 100)

Can you wipe me?

How do you make a towel?

How fast are squirrels?

Which do you like better: cucumbers or boogers?

Mom, why aren’t you going to have another baby?

How do people make flags?

Mom, can you wipe me?

Why didn’t you return my learning fair form in time?! Today was the deadline!!!

Is God bigger than our house?

Is God bigger than a tree?

What does God look like?

What does extraordinary mean?

Why do some people call him Sponge Bob and some people call him Sponge Bob square pants?

Mom, can I please have a sponge?

Who do you love more, me or daddy?

Mom, can you wipe me?

Mom, do you remember when you were under there?