Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old
The prompt
“Is there something you used to believe pretty strongly that you've had to let go of?”
What to listen for
A reflective answer, about a belief regarding people, fairness, themselves, or how the world works, shows real intellectual growth and the courage to update their own thinking rather than clinging to old certainty.
If the shift came from a hard experience, that's worth acknowledging gently, unlearning something painful is real work, not just a simple update.
If they can't think of one right away, that's fine, beliefs often shift quietly, without a clear moment attached to them.
What this tells you
A belief they've had to unlearn shows how willing they are to keep growing rather than staying loyal to who they used to be.