Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old
The prompt
“Was there a time you really wanted to quit something but pushed through anyway?”
What to listen for
If they tell the story with pride, it means they've internalized real grit and want you to recognize it, match their energy rather than turning it into a bigger life lesson than they intended.
If they mention how close they came to quitting, that vulnerability is the most honest part of the story, it shows real courage, not weakness, so treat it that way.
If nothing comes to mind, you could mention something you noticed them stick with, since sometimes they don't recognize their own perseverance until it's reflected back.
What this tells you
This shows you how they're building their own sense of what they're capable of pushing through.