February 2020

Parents often struggle to get more than one- or two-word responses from their kids, and especially in families that don't talk a lot. 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? Here are more practical ideas for getting your teenager talking.

Parents can discuss these questions with their children and share their own answers as well.

In ten years...

1. What do you hope your life will be like?

2. What will you have to do between now and then to get there?

3. How will you be able to determine whether or not you've arrived?

4. How do you think you will have changed as a person?

5. How do you think you will look back on this year of your life?

6. What activities do you see yourself involved in with your family members?

7. Who among your current friends do you think will still be your friend? Why?

8. What types of new friends do you hope to have made?

9. What types of characteristics will you look for in new friends?

10. Where would you like to be living? Why?

11. What kinds of things do you hope to own?

12. How do you feel that your relationship with us (me) will have changed?

13. How do you think your relationship with God will have changed?

14. What type of church do you hope you'll be attending?

15. In what ways do you think you will be involved in your church?