Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old
The prompt
“What excites you most about not knowing exactly how things are going to turn out for you?”
What to listen for
If they describe genuine excitement about open possibilities, that comfort with uncertainty is a great sign of confidence in themselves, they need that outlook celebrated, since so much messaging tells teens to have it all figured out.
If the uncertainty feels more anxiety-inducing than exciting to them, meet that honestly, they need reassurance that not having a plan is normal, not a sign they're behind.
If they say they'd rather have it all figured out already, that's worth honoring too, some people find comfort in structure, and that's a valid way to be.
What this tells you
What excites them about an unknown future shows you how much trust they have in their own ability to handle whatever comes.