It all depends on the tone of the question, which is hard to discern in writing, so the clarification is helpful.

Edit: Yes, those are very valid and reasonable questions. Clarifying that it's not meant as trolling is also valid and reasonable, because writing is easily misunderstood in exactly that way - which is the reason smileys were invented. (And, to be clear, I'm not accusing anyone of missing smileys or of trolling. I am trying to express my agreement with both parent and grandparent.)