Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old

The prompt

“What's the difference, for you, between people who drain you and people who fill you up?”

What to listen for

A clear answer here shows real emotional intelligence about relationships, they're learning to notice who costs them energy and who gives it back, which is a skill that'll serve them for life. Let them describe both sides without asking who specifically fits each category unless they offer it.

If they mention feeling drained by someone close, like a friend group or even family, stay open and non-defensive, this is discernment, not disloyalty.

If they're unsure how to describe it, ask for a feeling instead of a person, sometimes it's easier to start with how their body feels around certain people.

What this tells you

This distinction shows you how well they're learning to protect their own energy, and whether they currently feel like they have enough people who genuinely fill them up.