Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old
The prompt
“Was there a time humor actually helped you get through something hard?”
What to listen for
If they describe laughing with someone during a rough patch, that's a sign connection and lightness were what got them through, they need to know leaning on humor isn't avoiding the problem, it's a real coping tool.
If the story involves laughing alone, at themselves, notice whether it sounds healthy or like brushing off real pain, either way, meet it with warmth rather than digging for more than they're offering.
If nothing comes to mind, that's fine, not every hard moment needs a punchline, and saying so keeps the door open without pressure.
What this tells you
How humor helped them through hard times shows you one of the real tools they reach for to feel okay again.