Children are curious creatures, which is great because that desire for knowledge is a natural learning catalyst. Like most young lads, when our boys want to know something, they fire off a question.
I realized about a week ago that we must get asked 100 questions or more per day (which would be on average 2-3 questions per child per hour while we’re out and about during the day). Some days I think it must be closer to 200 when the curiosity is really humming. It’s understandable that what we’re doing is generating a ton of questions, but sometimes it does get a little draining!
One tactic I’ve been using, partially for entertainment and partially to reduce the number of certain types of questions, is to start singing when I get asked something like, “When will the train be here?” (when it’s already late), or “Will the wifi in our apartment work?” These are basically questions about information we’re all naturally going to learn about at the same time in the near future. I got tired of saying “I don’t know,” or “We’ll see,” so many times per day, so now when they ask me one of these questions I immediately and loudly sing a little ditty to the tune of Raffi’s “The More We Get Together”. (See this Raffi video at the 1:20 mark for the tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-MQBa4WRpI). Instead of Raffi’s version, I sing, “We’ll AAaall find out togETHer, togETHer, togETHer”. Works pretty well!
A few days ago, I started writing some questions down as I thought it would be fun to have a list showing the broad range of topics we’re asked to opine on in a given day. Here are just a few of the ones that stuck out:
- How do you make new wifi things?
- Why are there so many corks in there?
- How does someone get famous–do they just tell someone something about themselves and then that person tells someone else and so on?
- How long does a bee sting hurt for?
- Are we just going to sit here for 25 minutes?
- Do you know why this train is particularly crowded?
- Do you think it (the crowded train) will clear up?
- Is it possible to cancel a 911 call?
- Does Croatia have good grocery stores?
- Are you using any muscles when you sleep?
- Do you think anyone has ever pulled out a tooth and some gum came with it?
- What did Saint Nick do to become famous?
- Do you think Saint Nick was funny?
- Have you ever seen a flying car?
- What is gambling online? I know it’s a job, but what is it?
- Will the mountains all be melted?
- Does Adam Levine smoke?
- Why do you have two cent pennies?
- Where should I put this pit?
- How long has it been since we passed that Bentley the first time?
- What’s the fastest anyone has ever gone skiing?
- Are moles courageous?
- How do people lose their legs?
- Do you know where Santas live? Like the people who sit on a chair and try to get people to sit on their lap?
- Why are dimples caused?
- If I was a bird, would you be freaked out? I mean, like, would you be scared of me?
- How do people balance even though their bodies are bigger than their legs?
- How much information do you know about Usain Bolt?
- Is a shark a fish or is it a type of fish?
- Do you know why or how people hypnotize other people?
- What was I about to say when I tried to tell you something?
If you can relate, or if you have the answers to any of these questions, or if you’d like to ask us any of your own questions, please let us know in the comment section!
Ha! All those sound very familiar. I would like to point out that none of that was me.
According to Daddy, you do have one… 🙂
Let the record show that all Hartshorn children are represented here, just not equally 😉
Very funny!🤣😂 a lot of them were me!
Good job dad! 😂😂😁😄
Wonderful pictures and creativity again. I think it makes sense to think outside the box when you travel as a family together 24/7! We do something very similar too when we travel together without wifi or any electronic screen time.
BTW, one question here since I don’t know Italian. The picture posted about your visit to Teatro alla Scala. Is that world famous La Scala Opera house? If so, did you try to go to an opera?
Another question…what’s Verona Arena? What do people do there?
Hi Ching-Ching — yes! That is La Scala. We enjoyed seeing the inside of it but unfortunately nothing was being performed while we were there. The Verona Arena is mostly used for opera concerts but other musicians perform there as well. It is really impressive!
Hi Anya, thanks for the answers! Bummer! That would be super awesome to listen to a live Puccini! I love classical music and could you please do me a favor- taking a few pictures of the concert posters whenever you pass by any concert halls? I know that’s huge to ask for. Thank you so much!
I agree! I love classical music but am not crazy about opera…but would’ve loved to have seen one there! It was closed getting ready for renovation when I lived in Milan in 2000 so I’d hoped to see one this visit…ah well, maybe next time!
I’d be happy to take pictures of concert photos! We’re hoping to see some performances in Eastern/Central Europe when we are there…
Oh that’s great! Eastern Central Europe… Hummm Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Greece or ??
All those places! Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary… then Greece for a few weeks… then Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia + Herzegovina, Croatia (again), and back to Serbia…… to fly to Bangkok!
Wow! You’d better keep us posted. I have never been to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegoniva. I look forward to reading the posts and the pictures.
I love that post! 🤣😂😂🤣🤣🤪
These are fabulous! I’m so sorry I wasn’t paying attention when you were in Rome. My daughter and son-in-law live there. It would have been so great if you could have met them!
That’s too bad, that would’ve been fun to meet them!
Hi Kim!!! So fun to hear from you!! Bummer! I wish we could’ve met up with them!!
What an awesome adventure you are on. Makes me wish I could fit in one of your suitcases!!! Love seeing all the photos and reading the posts. You guys are so brave to do this. Wish I could but not alone!. Happy travels.
Thanks Cathy! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the blog and following along. It’s great to hear from you!
Looks like you’re having a good time! I’m very envious of your views.
As to the questions: I’ve mostly contented my oldest son with listening to the “But Why?: A podcast for curious kids” podcast. They answer all sorts of questions & we’ve sent in a few (yet to make an episode). Then when they have a bunch of similar questions they’ll have experts come in to talk about them & answer questions.
I hope you had a chance to try some of the lemons in Le Cinque Terre (gelato, limoncino, etc)!
Hey Ricky! That sounds like a perfect podcast for developing little minds!