How to Make Conversation With Your Kids More Meaningful

Kids and teens with anxiety, anger, or avoidance don't always volunteer information about their day.

They may provide you with a few vague pieces of information about how school went, concerns they had with friends, or problems at class - or, they might not. It's helpful to have tools to actually hear more about their day. These are the same prompts that I often use in session to get kids and teens to dig a little deeper than just telling me "I'm fine."

Below are a few conversation prompts to encourage a deeper conversation with your kids at the end of their day.

1. Tell me one good thing and one not so good thing that happened today. 

2. What was your favorite part of today?

3. What's one new thing you found out today?

4. What did you dislike the most today?

5. If you could do one thing different tomorrow than you did today, what would it be?

6. Tell me the silliest thing that happened this morning.

Remember to share, too!

Kids and teens are much more likely to open up when you demonstrate some openness on your end as well. Help to demonstrate how family conversations can be fun, and demonstrate some vulnerability by sharing your own positives and negatives.

Curious to hear more, or are you a little reluctant about counseling? Compassionate Counseling St. Louis provides specialized anxiety and anger management therapy for kids, teens, and college students. We work in Clayton, MO and serve kids, teens, and college students throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood. You can set up your free phone screening to see if we’re a good fit for your needs right on our website.