Why, why, why?

My 3-year-old daughter told my husband matter-of-factly this week, “Sometimes I ask too many questions. I talk a lot and sometimes Mommy just needs a break.”

I feel bad that she had overheard me lamenting her intense interrogation skills, but the truth is I never realized the “Why?” stage of toddlerhood would be quite so constant. “Mommy, why did you burn the toast?” “Why are you driving slow?” “Why are you driving fast?” “Why did you forget to wash your hands after going potty?”

Seriously, sometimes I feel like I should be in a dimly lit room with a single light dangling above my head screaming, “I just don’t know the answer. I just don’t know!” Sure, I do my best to answer all the questions, but sometimes it’s too much. Like when I found myself trying to explain the physical properties of the smoke that was coming out of the toaster from our burning grilled cheese sandwiches.

And with each new question and each new answer comes yet another question. When my daughter learned what stop signs were, for example, she then began asking me why I didn’t come to a complete stop every time I saw one. Yes, there’s nothing quite like having a 3-year-old backseat driver tell you that was more of a California rolling stop than a legal and complete braking.

I’m glad my daughter is inquisitive and curious about her world, but sometimes Mommy just needs a break.

How do you find time or quiet to restore your sanity when you’ve got toddlers running around at home? Is it even possible?