Who are you? A cop?

The art of conversation is completely lost on my kids.

They don't understand that proper communication is an exchange of thoughts and experiences by one or more equally engaged parties.

Instead, I get 20 questions. No, make that 200 questions.

From the minute I pick Crowbar up from daycare it starts:

What's for dinner?
Where are the girls?
Can I sit in the front?
Can I watch TV when I get home?
Did you bring me a snack?
Can Freddy come over?
Can I play with my Bakugans tonight?
Can we go to the library now?
What's for dinner?
Is today Tuesday?
Do we have to stop at the store?
Can I watch a movie?
Why are we going this way?
What's for dinner?

Yeah, did you catch that? Dinner? THREE TIMES? Throughout the barrage of questions, he doesn't even register my answers.

The girls are no better. I think they ask questions just to ask questions. And they for things way far out in the future. It goes beyond asking what's for dinner while they're eating breakfast. They'll ask if they can play video games next week, Thursday.

I don't know exactly how or when this all started. I don't mind being asked questions or permission to do things. In fact, in many cases, I prefer it. I like that they ask permission to play video games and before raiding the pantry.

But this relentless barrage is getting to be too much. I've gotten to the point where, if they repeat a question I've already answered (which is, like, ALL THE TIME) I tell them that I've already answered that one and to find the answer from someone who was listening.

I think tonight I'm going to turn the tables. I'm going to hit those kids with a few questions of my own as soon as I see them.

How was school?
Do you have homework?
What did you play at recess?
Did you eat your lunch?
All of it?
What did you eat?
Is your teacher nice?
Did you have a good day?
What did you eat for lunch?
Who are the kids in your reading group?
What did you learn about today?
Is your seat belt buckled?
Do have all your things?
Did you play outside today?
What did they give you for snack?
Who were you playing with just now?
What did you eat for lunch?

We'll see if turning the tables has any effect. But if this is what my kids think conversation is, I seriously doubt it.