“I’m fine.” Are they, though?

Oct 13

1 min read

Most of us check on homework, practice, and screen time every day. How our kids are really feeling comes up less often, and usually only once something’s already wrong.

Talking about feelings doesn’t need a big sit-down or the perfect words. It works best as a small, normal part of the week, so that when something hard does come up, your kid already knows they can bring it to you.

A few signs it’s time to check in:

“Fine” or “Okay” has become the answer to everything.
They’re spending more time alone in their room or on a screen than usual.
Small things are setting off big reactions.
They’ve lost interest in something they used to love.
You realize you can’t remember the last time you asked how they’re really doing.

None of these mean something’s wrong. They’re simply a nudge to start the conversation.

The hardest part is often knowing what to ask. “How was your day?” is a big question after a long day, and smaller, more specific questions are much easier for kids to answer.

So we put together a free guide with conversation starters for every age, from 5 to 18, plus simple ways to keep the conversation going. Pick one tonight and try it on your next car ride, walk, or bedtime.