Is it wrong to give silly answers to kids "seemingly" serious questions even if you know the right answer?

Question

For instance: "Why is the sky blue?" Silly answer to that I gave was: "Well if it was green, we wouldn't know when to stop mowing." Or, "Where did I come from?" The silly answer to that: "You were on clearance at Wal-Mart, so I had a few bucks to spare and bought you." Don't worry, I did answer my kids correctly after they gave me the look of confusion! LOL It didn't scar them!! LOL

Answer 1

Hey you're okay, you're actually funny! Well I think your kids will be just fine - actually they'll be a lot better off because then they'll learn the concept of humor ( I don't think it's sarcasm, contrary to what some people have said in their answers, sarcasm has a bitter note to it). Silly answers are okay because they're fun, and besides your kids are kids - there's enough time for more serious talk when they get older. And like what you said, you did tell them the correct answers to their questions, so no harm done. I think they're blessed to have a parent who has a great sense of humor - more than likely your kids will grow up with the same sense of humor.

Answer 2

First off, watch some Dr. Phil. You could read a book of his over parenting. You need to give an age appropriate answer. Your child is not an animal you cannot simply say "I bought you." If you want to the question of "Where did I come from?" Say, I and your daddy, vise versa, decided we were ready to have a baby and so we started to make you, but it took nine LONG months, but we got just what we were looking for. Later in life you can explain it. To why the sky is blue, if your a christian for now all you have to do is say, "That is how God made it." And they will accept it.

Answer 3

My mom used to tell me that she bought my hands at Target, my legs in Safeway, my belly at the flea market. I totally believed her! When we would go into one of these stores, I wanted to go see the body part section! She would say "They're all sold out today." I asked my dad "How come cows can stand on a hill and not tip over." He said "One side of their legs are shorter." I believed that until I was way too old. lol

I think it's fine if they also get the true answer. When you give them the silly answer, they just realize that they have a fun mom!

Answer 4

You're fine. I do the same thing with my kids and they understand that it is just a joke. You're teaching them a sense of humor as well as not to take things or themselves too seriously. I would be a little worried if you didn't follow up the joke with the right answer. Seriously, though, I think it is healthy.

Answer 5

I usually answer a question with a question.
For instance
kid: "what is sex?"
me: "why do you ask?"
kid: "On this paper, it says sex" (medical form in waiting room)
me: "that just means they want to know if you are a boy or a girl".

I have found that by asking probing questions I can get to the heart of the question, and give a meaningful answer.

When they go through the million questions phase I think its some combination of:
- they want to be entertained by you talking (chatty Cathy)
- want to have some attention from you (pay attention to me)
- have actual questions (legitimate question)

When I probe their question before answering it, it makes me no longer an entertainer and teaches them how to ask probing questions, it gives them a sense of having quality attention, and it gives me the ability to most relevantly answer their question.

Examples:
kid: "what food is this"
me: "why do you ask?"
kid: "because it looks gross"
analysis - kid is starting to get picky with food, start 1 of the 5 big battles kids & parents have (food out of food,bedtime, clothes, bath, friends)
conclusion - win the war, break down the bad habit, set a precedent for doing so later.
me: "take a bite and I will tell you" or "deep fried alien embryos"

Example:
kid: "whats this?"
me: "what do you think it is?"
kid: "I dont know."
me: "what could you do with it?"
me: "does it look like something you know?"
etc...

Answer 6

nicely if the question is of severe nature a tremendous kind of the time i answer with a right down to earth answer. yet? If i comprehend who's searching and comprehend the kind of man or woman they're i'd throw some humor on the hearth only to make it lighter.

Answer 7

It's not wrong at all. I am like this as well. I think you are teaching your children a sense of humour. It's a good quality to have. Have you ever met those people who are serious about everything. I imagine that they're parents didn't joke with them much. You are not harming your children. Your helping learn a good personality trait.

Answer 8

It's good to teach your children to have a sense of humour! They will catch on and start cracking a few funnies of their own before long. Humour is a good thing providing it is not at the expense of another's feelings.

Answer 9

I do the samething. The way that I figure it I will do something I am sure that will require her to get therapy so I feel like I am just giving her things to talk about. Your kid will be fine. Think about all the stupid things that your parents told you. Santa, snowman, tooth fariy, easter bunny

Answer 10

Some may say no, but I believe it is important to teach a child skepticism.
Was it W.C. Fields who said "if a person doesn't stand for something, he'll fall for anything"?
They'll gewt lots of answers, but they'll always remember yours. And then do more research.