Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old

The prompt

“Was there ever a time you had to tell a friend to back off a little?”

What to listen for

A confident answer here shows real growth, being able to set a limit with a friend and survive the discomfort of it builds exactly the kind of self-trust they'll need in every relationship going forward. Praise the courage in it, not just the outcome.

If the story involves some awkwardness or fallout, that's normal and worth acknowledging honestly rather than promising it always works out smoothly.

If they say it's never happened, that's fine too, some friendships just haven't required it yet, and that doesn't mean they lack the skill.

What this tells you

This story shows you they're learning to protect their own limits even when it's socially uncomfortable, which is a skill worth naming and encouraging.