Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old

The prompt

“Is there a relative you wish you knew a bit better, and what would you want to ask them?”

What to listen for

If they name someone, listen for what draws them to that person, curiosity about the past, a sense that this relative "gets" them, or just wanting more time. That tells you what kind of connection they're craving beyond their immediate world.

If they express regret about not having asked something before it was too late (with someone who's passed), let that sit with weight rather than rushing to comfort, it's a meaningful thing for them to be feeling.

If no one comes to mind, that's fine, you could offer a story about that relative yourself, which might spark more curiosity later.

What this tells you

This shows you their hunger for a sense of history and belonging that stretches beyond just the people in the house day to day.