Trader Joe’s has figured out something really simple about conversation: Instead of asking questions that are easy to answer with “good” “fine” or “not much” they ask questions that naturally give the other person something to talk about. Parents can do the exact same thing with their kids. Instead of constantly asking: “How was your day?” Try asking something that gives them a story to tell. You don’t need to interrogate your kids or have some deep conversation every night. Sometimes, the best conversations happen when you simply notice something, make a comment, and give them an opening to talk. Here are some questions you can try TODAY: • What was the funniest thing that happened today? • What was the most annoying part of your day? • Who made you laugh today? • What was something you weren’t expecting? • What’s something your teacher said today that stuck with you? • Who did you spend the most time with today? • What was the best part of recess? • What’s something you wish you could change about today? • What’s something you’re proud of from today? • If you could redo one part of today, what would it be? • What was the most interesting thing you learned? • Did anything happen today that made you feel really good/sad/frustrated? • What’s something you’re looking forward to tomorrow? • What’s something you think I wouldn’t know about your day? • If you could have skipped one part of today, what would it have been? • What would your friends say was the funniest thing that happened today? And you don’t always have to ask a question. Try making an observation: “I noticed you were really excited when we left..” “That looks like something you put a lot of work into” “I love seeing you smile like that” “I’ve never seen you play with that before” Sometimes a simple observation is all it takes to get a kid talking. The goal isn’t to ask MORE questions. It’s to ask BETTER questions. Save this for the next time you’re sitting in the car, eating dinner, or walking around with your kid and you’re thinking… “Uh…what do I say now?” #parentingquestions #parenting #parentingconversations #parenthacks #parenthood — @mike_on_parenting TikTok