This conversation is heard very, very often in our household.  It doesn’t matter which parent or which one of our “big” kids you plug in below.

Parent: Why did you (insert wrongdoing of choice here)?

Child: Because I shouldn’t.

Parent: I know you shouldn’t, but why did you (offense of choice)?

Child: Because I won’t do it again.

Parent:  Okay.  That’s great.  But why did you do it this time?

Child:  Because…because…because I can’t.

Parent:  You can’t what?

Child: I can’t do it again.

End scene with frustrated parent and bewildered-looking child.