A Pickle Answer

I'm laughing.

These kids have a knack for asking nonsense questions. It's all day long and often quite wearying. When they were first came to live here we answered each and every question and used the opportunity to expand their vocabulary and help them know we were attentive to their every need. The most common question is, "Why?"
It's short and easy and it takes no brainpower to ask it. It forces someone to respond... and it is OVER USED!

Well, they have started talking more and more and the vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds, but the nonsense has neither ended or diminished one wit. Part of it is their need to converse but they are sadly lacking in knowing HOW to carry on a conversation. Of course, we are trying to help them with that and try to engage them in conversation as often as possible, but some of it is just chatter to fill time and space and it is impossible to read, or talk to someone else or have a moment of peace!

They are famous for stating the obvious in an effort to start a conversation.
 They are famous for asking obvious questions like, "Are you wearing a red shirt?"

Sometimes they ask questions just to control people and maintain their attention, etc... At which point I often tune out.

We put up with some of it. Some of it I throw back at them.
"What do you think? Am I wearing a red shirt?"
And a funny thing; they will answer it correctly :-).

I don't answer all questions anymore. I don't have the energy. I pick the questions that have the most educational value and answer those, the rest go unheeded and if they persist they get a pickle answer.

Someone shared their success with pickle answers and we've been using them for a week. Ask a silly question, get a pickle answer.

Kid: "Mom, are we having shake for breakfast? (while holding a cup of shake in their hands.)
Me: I think you are having a pickle for breakfast.
Kid: "NO!"

Kid: "Is that a blue car?"
Me: "Maybe it's a pickle on wheels."
Kid: "No, it's a blue car."

They've caught on.

We are starting to say, "Is that a pickle question?" and suddenly they can think of something more appropriate to talk about.

So, just now, little guy brought his floor puzzle box to me and asked, "Is my puzzle only this big?" Measuring the two inch picture with the span of his hand while the three inch puzzle pieces are strewn at his feet.
Me half distracted: "Hmmmm... I think... is that a real question?"
Him: PICKLE!