How do I start meaningful conversations with my teen?

[anthonycarter]

I want my teen to open up more about their feelings and experiences, but I never know how to start the conversation without it feeling forced. Any ideas?

[MoinoTesco]

I’ve been in the same spot — it can be tricky to get teens to open up. What really helped me was using prompts from https://www.the-littlest-thistle.com/deep-questions-teens/ . The questions are thoughtful but not intimidating, which makes it easier for my daughter to share honestly. For example, asking “What’s something that made you feel proud this week?” sparked a 20-minute conversation out of nowhere. I also make sure to listen without judgment and share my own thoughts in return. Over time, it built trust and made our talks feel natural, not forced. I highly recommend trying it — it really works.