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Parents often struggle to get more than one- or two-word responses from their kids, especially in families that don’t talk much. It’s no secret that good communication builds family relationships. But, when the rubber meets the road, how does a parent actually help to get more out of family talk-times? In previous issues of Good Advice, we've provided practical ideas for getting your kids talking. Here is a new piece, the third in our series, and we trust you’ll find them helpful. The Way I Am / The Way I Was… With the following series of discussion questions, your kids will talk about the way things are right now in their lives, while parents will talk about the way things were when they were teenagers. • Talk about what you like (liked) doing most when you are (were) hanging out with your friends. • Talk about what the biggest fads are (were) in your school. • Talk about what are (were) the “in” words and phrases students at your school use (used) and what they mean (meant.) • Who are (were) your favorite music artists? Why? • Describe your best friend. What are (were) they like? What makes (made) them tick? Why are (was) he/she your best friend? Family Talk… Here are more open-ended discussion questions to keep your family talking: • Describe an embarrassing moment in your life that your family members don’t know about. • Talk about the time you remember being the sickest. What was worst about going through that time? • What are three of the happiest memories you have from your life? What made them happy experiences? • Talk about one thing you know you should do differently that would make your family work better. • What is your biggest fear? Why? • What do think is the most important thing in your life? Why? • (For kids) What is one issue you wish your parents would discuss with you? Why? • (For parents) What is one issue you wish your kids would discuss with you? Why? • (For kids) What is one area in your life you wish you had more control over? Why? • (For parents) What is one area in your son’s/daughter’s life you next plan to give them more control over? Why? What will this look like?
Jim Liebelt is Senior Editor of Publications for HomeWord.
Click here to download this article (WORD / PDF). Click here to view the first article in this series, "Discussion Questions to Get Your Family Talking - #1." Click here to view the second article in this series, "Discussion Questions to Get Your Family Talking - #2." |
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