Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old
The prompt
“Was there a moment recently something small caught you off guard emotionally, like more than you expected?”
What to listen for
If they describe something tiny, a song, a smell, a kind text, that hit harder than expected, that's a sign they're more emotionally tuned in than they always let on; they need that sensitivity treated as a strength, not something to toughen up.
If they seem a little embarrassed sharing it, reassure them lightly that being moved by small things is a good sign, not a weird one, they need permission to feel things without needing a big, dramatic reason.
If nothing comes to mind, that's fine too, some weeks are just steadier than others.
What this tells you
What moves them unexpectedly shows you how much is actually going on beneath their usual calm exterior.