Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old
The prompt
“Do you think it's better to always want more, or to get good at being happy with what you've got?”
What to listen for
If they land on wanting to grow while still appreciating what they have, they're working out how to be driven without it eating them alive, a sign they want their ambition to feel like their own choice, not pressure from outside.
If they lean hard into "always want more," there might be a fear underneath of not being enough as they are. Notice it without labeling it, just stay warm and curious.
If they lean hard into contentment, check whether that's peace or resignation, the tone will tell you more than the words.
What this tells you
How they balance ambition and contentment tells you what "enough" currently means to them, and whether that definition feels safe or forced.